New industry guidance has been published to help road contractors manage vehicles that deliberately breach temporary traffic management layouts.
The Guidance on Additional Measures for Determined Vehicles has been produced by the Traffic Management Contractors Association, National Highways’ Incursions and IPV Working Group and the Supply Chain Safety Leadership Council.
It defines a determined vehicle as one that “intentionally or persistently breaches a traffic management layout, despite standard controls”. The organisations said such vehicles pose a significant risk to highways workers, other road users and the drivers themselves.
Risk-based approach
The document focuses on determined vehicle mitigation systems in secondary work zones. It is intended to help principal contractors, temporary traffic management organisations, site designers and those responsible for installing or maintaining mitigation systems assess and review additional measures in line with UK legislation and best practice.
Its guidance covers roles and responsibilities, mitigation categories, the hierarchy of controls, manufacturer and user responsibilities, decision-making considerations and the assessment of site risk when selecting an incursion management system.
A decision-making flow chart sets out a nine-step process:
- Identify the worksite and scope of works.
- Gather site information.
- Assess the threat type and likelihood for each risk factor.
- Determine the risk level.
- Test controls through the hierarchy of control and SFAIRP — so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Select mitigation in line with the risk.
- Record and approve decisions.
- Implement and review.
- Apply continuous improvement.
Use alongside existing guidance
The guidance is designed to be used alongside other relevant requirements, including the Traffic Signs Manual – Chapter 8: Road Works and Temporary Situations, which covers the design and implementation of temporary traffic management systems and applicable signage.
It also sets out considerations for manufacturers and users, with the aim of supporting consistent decisions about additional protection at work sites where standard controls may not be sufficient.