Four key facts about the Traffic Management Reform program
The Victorian road network has approximately 150,000 kilometres of roads open to general traffic. It has the highest density of roads in any state in Australia. In the last three years, the network has experienced a highly unusual flux in use and in maintenance. It is a priority to ensure that the road crews carrying out construction and maintenance on our extensive road network are able to work safely and efficiently. The Traffic Management Reform (TMR) program is being rolled out across the state to promote safety on the road network and reduce unnecessary congestion and delays around worksites.
Here are four facts about the TMR to help prepare you for the upcoming changes.
1. It is a result of COVID-19
In some ways, we can thank COVID for these much-needed Traffic Management Reforms.
During our state’s lengthy lockdown period, traffic naturally reduced drastically, yet roads continued to wear due to weather and age.
After lockdown, not only did everyone hit the roads again but there was a backlog of construction and maintenance works that were needed across the network. To ensure the welfare of work crews and road users during this period of high activity and beyond, the new Traffic Management guidelines have been introduced. They promote safety on the road network and minimise congestion and delays around worksites.
So, the TMR is transforming a period that could have been mere ‘catch up’ into a process that will deliver ongoing improved safety for key stakeholders.
2. The Department of Transport is responsible
The Department of Transport (DoT) is delivering the TMR program to support the traffic management industry. Traffic management workers establish and manage road worksites, and these reforms are even more necessary as road networks and work sites get busier again.
The TMR program supports the traffic management industry by:
- Improving safety on our road network for traffic management workers, road users and the community
- Introducing a more consistent approach to traffic management across Victoria to reduce congestion, delays, and the impacts of disruptions on the road network
- Increasing the consistency of advice and make it easier for traffic management industry to do business with government
3. The reforms for training organisations came into effect in March, 2024
Rollout of TMR initiatives began at the start of 2022 and are ongoing. These initiatives include ensuring that traffic management operators are accredited under the new TMR accreditation program, updating legislation, and launching the new road access permits portal.
4. COVE Training has applied the reforms
As a nationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO), COVE has been closely informed of the TMR program since it was first announced. The changes are highly relevant to our work as the reforms include standardising training methods and qualifications for all training providers so that qualifications are consistent and nationally-recognised.
As a result, we have updated our Traffic Management and Traffic Control courses and have been delivering the updated courses since the 1st of March, 2024. Our training methods and materials have all been updated based on the new accreditation program and updated code of practice, so our students are learning the latest and best-practice procedures, and their qualifications are recognised in any jurisdiction across Australia.
COVE supports the TMR and the increased safety it will create for workers and all road users, and welcomes the opportunity to align our training to national standards.
To find out more about the TMR, please visit its website here. We also invite you to check out our updated Traffic Management and Traffic Control courses on our website.
