Temporary Traffic Management is the process or method of managing road users including vehicle and pedestrians through, around or past an activity on a road reserve safely with a minimum level of inconvenience. (The road reserve is defined as boundary to boundary).
Transition from CoPTTM to NZGTTM
Tauranga City Council are proposing to move from operating under the current Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management, (COPTTM) to operating under the new risk-based guide, the New Zealand Guide for Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM), from 1 July 2025.
More information:
NZGTTM Letter to Contractors (103kb pdf)
Risk-based approach to TTM (7mb pdf)
TTM webinars
Traffic Management Plan
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) describes proposed works, design, set up and removal of any activity being carried out within the Road Reserve. It also includes the work programme, how public and contractor safety will be ensured, and any contingency planning etc
Any work that alters the normal operating conditions of the road reserve requires a TMP. This includes:
- Excavating the carriageway/footpath/berm
- Temporary road closure for an event
- Obstruction of footpaths e.g. for sign writing, scaffolding, painting etc.
Layout diagrams
Layout diagrams are expected as part of the application and must show:
- What signs and other traffic management devices will be used
- Where the various devices (with dimensions) will be set out
- A site drawing that reflects the road layout in the location.
Restricted working hours
The traffic management team may apply restricted working hours to your works access permit due to the following;
- To avoid peak traffic flows
- to limit interference with property access
- minimise noise or other environmental impacts
- to consider school drop off/pick up and foot traffic
Road Levels of Temporary Traffic Management
Road levels are implemented by each Road Controlling Authority (RCA). They indicate the number of vehicles travelled per day on each individual road, and road level information determines what temporary traffic management is required. Road level information must be included with the TMP submitted to the Traffic Management Team.
Level 1 under 15,000 vehicles per 24 hours
Level 2 over 15,000 vehicles per 24 hours
Tauranga City Council – Road Categories – Road Levels – as of 1 July 2020 (222kb pdf)
Traffic Signal and Intersections
Any Traffic Management within 50m of signals or works including work vehicles blocking timing loops, lane closures etc then the Tauranga Transport Operations Centre (TTOC) MUST be advised so that signal sequences may be altered to compensate.
A reasonable notice period is required to ensure a timely service as follows:
- for planned works, ideally a week prior
- on each and every day prior to setting out TTM and
- whenever there’s a change to the site layout
- on each and every day when works are finished for the day.
Please contact council on 07 577 7000.
Traffic signals and cameras
Tauranga Transport Operations Centre (TTOC) has a number of traffic and crime prevention cameras at key points around the city. These are used to help our traffic engineers monitor traffic flows around the city and give us early warning of any issues that might result in delays for drivers such as traffic lights being out at key intersections.
NZTA traffic map
Requirements of Traffic Management Personnel
A Traffic Management Plan must only be designed and prepared by a trained and qualified Site Traffic Management Supervisor. (STMS) refer to Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management
The person nominated by the contractor in the TMP is to have the specific responsibility for managing traffic at the work site. The person must be trained to the level of temporary traffic management required for the road level.
Below is a list of locally recommended and suitable qualified personnel for any traffic management requirements
Events
If you are running an event in Tauranga that:
- may affect vehicle or pedestrian traffic
- may increase traffic to a specific area, e.g. concerts, sports events
- may require a road or footpath closure (e.g. parades, marches)
- may require road signs
A Traffic Management Plan maybe required. To understand if your event needs traffic management the first point of contact is the event facilitation team.
Traffic management for events
The event facilitation team will liaise with Council's transport team to identify whether there may be a need for traffic management as part of your event planning. If approved, the event organiser will be responsible for engaging a suitably qualified traffic management company and submitting a traffic management plan at least (8) weeks prior to the event.
The Traffic Management Company will prepare a professional Traffic Management Plan on behalf of the event organisers. The plan shall include the location of all relevant structures, equipment, facilities, assembly areas, event or filming areas and other facilities, including (without limitation) signs, cones, marshals, vehicles, parking restrictions, road closure details and access for the mobility impaired, emergency vehicles and to public transport. The plan will also indicate how many qualified STMS, TC, Marshals will be active within the Road Reserve and their location. Tauranga City Council and the NZ Police may require further details to be included in any plan. Further details shall be provided as soon as practicable after any such request.
Road reserve
Road reserve is the area between the legal boundaries, usually fence line to fence line and includes any safety runoff areas, which is dedicated to allow the passage of road users. Below is a diagram of where each area is, and a definition of what they are.
Road/carriageway
The part of a road, sealed or unsealed and including any shoulder areas, which a normal wheeled vehicle can traverse. Two carriageways are deemed to exist where the carriageways are divided longitudinally by a physical island, median or barrier for a distance in greater than 300m
Shoulder
The metal edge on a carriageway between the seal and grass
Kerb and channel
The area defining the Road/Carriageway from the berm
Footpath
Area between the carriageway and boundary where pedestrians walk on a hard surface
Berm
The grass verge of a suburban street
Boundary
The property boundary between private property and the road reserve
Temporary Traffic Management
Tauranga Transport Operations Centre is responsible for coordinating activities within the road reserve and managing the road network. Any queries regarding temporary traffic management applications will be referred to one of our traffic management coordinators.