Temporary Traffic Management is the process or method of managing road users including vehicles and pedestrians through, or past an activity on the road reserve safely and with a minimum level of inconvenience. (The road reserve is defined as boundary to boundary).
New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM)
Tauranga City Council have fully transitioned to operating under the principles of the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NZGTTM). Corridor Access Requests submitted using the principles of the old Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) will be declined.
More information:
NZGTTM webpage
Traffic Management Plan
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) describes the 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 required.
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 Road Corridor Manager 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
- To minimise noise or other environmental impacts
- To allow for school drop off/pick up and foot traffic
Special Road Requirements for Temporary Traffic Management
There are many roads where there are restrictions placed on the establishment of temporary traffic management.
These are detailed in:
Tauranga City Council - Special Road Requirements for Temporary Traffic Management 2025/2026 (772kb pdf)
Traffic Signal and Intersections
For any Temporary Traffic Management within 50m of signals, or works including work vehicles blocking detection loops, or lane closures etc, 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, at least 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 be designed and prepared by a competent person (refer to the New Zealand Guide for Temporary Traffic Management).
The person nominated by the contractor in the TMP is to have the specific responsibility for managing all traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians, at the work site. This person must be deemed competent by their employer to undertake the level of temporary traffic management for the road being worked on.
Below is a list of local traffic management companies who will be able to assist with both the planning process and the implementation of TMPs on site.
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, and 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.