Traffic control resources for project managers, councils and controllers
In short: East Coast Traffic Control's resources explain the difference between a Traffic Management Plan and a Traffic Guidance Scheme, how traffic controller licences work in Queensland and New South Wales, what the MUTCD Part 3 and TfNSW Traffic Control at Work Sites manuals require, how traffic control is priced, and what to check before an event. A glossary defines the industry terms.
Event traffic management checklist: from first council email to road reopenedEvent traffic management needs a traffic management plan and traffic guidance scheme prepared by an authorised designer, a...Read the guide
Traffic management glossaryThis glossary defines the temporary traffic management terms as used in Queensland (Transport and Main Roads, MUTCD Part 3...Read the guide
How much does traffic control cost? The drivers behind every quoteTraffic control is priced from the number of accredited people on site, the hours they work and when (nights, weekends and...Read the guide
Queensland MUTCD Part 3: a plain-English guide for project managersThe Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 3, Traffic control for works on roads, is Transport and...Read the guide
NSW traffic control licences: the SafeWork NSW card classes explainedIn NSW every traffic control worker must hold a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) card in the class for their...Read the guideQueensland traffic control licences: how accreditation worksTo control traffic in Queensland you must hold a Traffic Controller Industry Authority card issued by Transport and Main Roads...Read the guide
Traffic Control at Work Sites (TCAWS): what the NSW standard requiresTraffic Control at Work Sites (TCAWS) is Transport for NSW's standard for temporary traffic management. Technical Standard TS...Read the guideTMP vs TGS: what is the difference, and which one does your job need?A traffic management plan (TMP) describes how a whole job manages traffic, pedestrians and risk. A traffic guidance scheme (TGS)...Read the guideWho these guides are for
Most are written for the person booking traffic control: a project manager, estimator, council works officer or event organiser who needs to know what to ask for, what the authority will expect and roughly what it costs. Two are written for people entering the industry, covering the Queensland and NSW licence pathways and which registered training organisations run the courses.
Everything here reflects how ECTC does the work day to day across 13 depots and the standards the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Transport for NSW apply. Where a guide gives ranges or examples they are ranges, not quotes. For a price on your job, use the quote form or call 1300 011 203.
Common questions
What is the difference between a TMP and a TGS?
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is the overall document describing how traffic will be managed for a project: the risks, the controls, approvals, staging and responsibilities. A Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) is the drawing of the signs and devices for a specific setup within that plan. A project usually has one TMP and several TGS drawings.
Do I need a traffic management plan for a small job?
Usually yes. In Queensland and New South Wales any work that affects a road or footpath needs a plan and scheme appropriate to the road, even a short utility pit in a quiet street. The plan is scaled to the job, so a small works TGS is quick to prepare. Our planning team can advise what your council or authority will expect.
Which licence do I need to work as a traffic controller?
A current accreditation from the state you will work in: in Queensland the Traffic Controller (TC) ticket under the TMR scheme, in New South Wales the Traffic Controller (TCR) card from SafeWork NSW, plus a White Card. The licences are not interchangeable between states. Our licence guides list the units and the RTOs that deliver them.
Does ECTC provide traffic control training?
No. ECTC is not a registered training organisation and does not issue licences. The Queensland and NSW licence guides and our training page list approved RTOs that run the courses. Once you hold a current licence, the employment page explains how to apply to work with ECTC in your region.
How much does traffic control cost?
It depends on crew size, hours, day or night, the equipment required (for example a TMA on high-speed roads) and whether a plan needs preparing. Our cost guide explains the components and typical ranges so you can budget. For a firm price, send the site, dates and works description through the quote form.
Need crews on site?
Send the job and your local Area Manager takes it from there, day or night.