FAQs

The Minister for Transport initiated the review in response to concerns raised by the community.

To look closely at whether temporary traffic signage installed in regional areas is being properly secured and displayed at roadworks sites. This follows community concerns that temporary road signs can frequently fall over and fail to warn drivers of hazards.

The purpose the review is not to investigate individual incidents, as these will be investigated in accordance with the appropriate legal procedures and assessments rather than on individual transport agency (DoT or Main Roads)  findings.  It would be inappropriate for the review to comment on specific incidents.

In considering the need for a review the Minister has considered feedback from stakeholders and the community about specific incidents and general experience across the state.

However, the review’s purpose is not to look at one specific incident, rather to investigate signage at regional roadworks state-wide with an aim to enhance road safety for all road users and workers.

The review will investigate all aspects of temporary traffic management signage including standards, design, training and the resulting practices and outcomes. 

Community and stakeholder feedback gathered during community forums will also form a key component of the review process and will be considered by the reference group when forming recommendations as part of the reporting process.

Technical and research support is being provided by the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and the members of the reference group.

The reference group will:

• Review current roadwork signage practices within Western Australia and other jurisdictions on the regional road network.
• Highlight areas of concern or non-compliance.
• Identify ways these activities can be improved to maximise safety for both travellers and the construction workforce.
• Assist with consultation activities to ensure the views of the broader community and industry are represented across regions in Western Australia.

The Reference Group will oversee the preparation of a formal report, including recommendations for improvements, which can then be considered by the Minister for Transport.

A robust review of key interest groups and industry leaders, organisations were then asked to nominate an appropriate executive to represent them on the group.

The state and local government sealed road network in regional Western Australia.

No, this review is specific to the regional road network.  However, a review of metropolitan roads is a possible future consideration.

Sealed roads across the regional Western Australia will be included. It is possible that some unsealed roads may be investigated as future work.

The review will not be restricted by the speed environment.

No, although feedback received regarding other signage concerns will be captured as part of the reporting process, and may also be used to inform future work.

In more details ARRB’s scope includes:

• an independent review of the temporary traffic control signage at regional road work sites in Western Australia including existing literature, analysis of historic crash data and road work signage practices, consultation with industry participants and innovation and change opportunity assessments.
• analysis and review of WA’s standard, policies, practices compared against other state’s and national jurisdictions.
• researching and considering innovation and technology for traffic management, and
• technical analysis of the above components to inform the recommendations made by the reference group at the end of the review process.

The Reference Group meets monthly, with out-of-session information shared / discussed as needed between meetings.   Key industry groups are represented by executives from:

• The Traffic Management Association of Australia WA
• Worksafe
• Engineers Australia WA
• Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia WA
• RAC
• Western Roads Federation
• Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Assoc.
• Transport Workers Union
• Civil Contractors Federation
• WA Local Government Assoc.
• Construction Contractors Assoc.
• Road Safety Council
• WA Police
• Others as considered appropriate by the Reference Group members