The first thing you need to know is that the Mainroads Western Australia Traffic Controllers Handbook is your ‘go-to’ reference with regards to traffic control. It outlines the seven key requirements, what to do when using night works, along with a list of good ideas to ensure all procedures are followed to the letter.
As a traffic controller in WA, you have the authority to control traffic with a stop/slow bat so your training will cover the extent of your powers and responsibilities.
Traffic Control Signage & Devices
Whilst many signs and devices will be utilised throughout the worksite, as a Traffic Controller the only signs that you will be responsible for will be the ‘Prepare to Stop’ and ‘Symbolic Traffic Controller’ signs. Even so, you need to learn how and when to use these signs to guarantee the smooth flow of traffic and to prevent accidents.
Traffic Controllers also utilise hand held ‘Stop’ and ‘Slow’ signs. You will learn the correct dimensions of these signs and discover the situations you must use them in, tips on how to attract the driver’s attention, and some details on the things you must NOT do when using these signs.
As a traffic controller, you have access to an array of devices and equipment including torches and luminous wands for use at night and two-way radios. The latter is a crucial piece of communication equipment, and students will learn how to use a two-way radio correctly.
Your Guide to Traffic Control
Once you are aware of all the theory surrounding safety, equipment, and communication, it is time to put everything into practice. In this course, you will find out how to:
- Position yourself correctly to ensure you are easily seen by motorists and pedestrians without blocking signage.
- Determine the ideal distance between you and the first vehicle to be stopped.
- Calculate your ideal position from approaching vehicles depending on how fast they are travelling.
- Calculate how far a vehicle can travel in five seconds while taking driver reaction time into account.
- Find out the possible stopping distances of vehicles taking size and speed into account.
Other important aspects of traffic control you’ll learn more about include:
- Assisting pedestrians while controlling traffic.
- Stopping traffic.
- Allowing traffic to proceed.
- Slowing traffic.
Emergency Procedures
No matter how well prepared you are, accidents are always possible. After all, this is why they are called accidents. This course will teach you how to minimize issues by being alert to changing traffic conditions. However, if something happens, you have to be ready to spring into action, and the course shows you how to:
- Decide when it is necessary to report an incident.
- Report an accident to a colleague.
- Warn your colleagues if a crash has happened.
- Secure traffic behind the incident to prevent further accidents.
For details on our training program head over to the course page, or take a look at our other Basic Worksite traffic management and traffic control courses.