A new era in traffic management

In the next few weeks, new traffic management guidance will come into force as the Traffic Signs Manual is set to roll out an updated version of Chapter 8.

This change, said to be a “revolution” for the industry, comes after users of the manual reported concerns about Part 3 of the chapter in question.

Now, collaborative efforts among the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), Highways England, and other key players in the field have helped shape new perspectives of the often overlooked area.

One key member of the Traffic Management Contractors Association (TMCA) explained that some of the concerns surrounding Chapter 8, Part 3 of the manual were “misguided.” He added that “a line has been drawn under previous poor guidance,” and that “the industry is going through a new dawn.”

This same TMCA member said of the new guidance in the updated Chapter 8: “The update book came out from two years ago and two volumes date back to 10 years ago. Since then there has been a lot of understanding to help with engineering decisions drawn principally from the IHE.”

That said, he also explained that the updated guidance in the Traffic Signs Manual would probably take a number of years to filter through the system and reach every worker.

Over the past 10 years “there has been a lot of water under the bridge,” he added, “and a lot more learning on both sides and more knowledge of the engineering. The industry has learned a lot more about why Chapter 8 was written the way it was.”

“It is no longer about signs and cones. It's about a highly specialised discipline and the safety for road users and workforce. The industry should be interested in professional qualifications in this. The legal issues in this area alone are very important — you are probably more likely to [be] sued doing utilities on the local roads than on a major project.”

How well this updated guidance is received by those in the traffic management industry is an important test of its ongoing development.

How do you think the new version of Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual will improve the industry and its processes? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by Jasmin Collier