AITDSA Scheme

The Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management proposed the development of a national approach to:

• recognise new and innovative devices used in temporary traffic management environments
• relieve jurisdictions of the burden of assessing and approving TTM devices
• provide a harmonised approach to the recognition of approved TTM devices across all Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions
• enable the sharing of knowledge and practical experience between member agencies in their use of traffic control devices.

AITDSA responds to these proposals.

Until now, there hasn’t been an agreed way for Austroads members to consider innovative devices and solutions for temporary traffic management.

It has been difficult to present innovative devices and solutions to road agencies for use on the road network, which has been:

• inhibiting the development and adoption of new devices and solutions
• adding unnecessary cost and duplication of effort
• leading to inconsistencies between jurisdictions.

AITDSA is intended to recognise innovative temporary traffic management devices and solutions used on public roads in Australia and New Zealand. Innovative devices and solutions may perform a diverse range of functions, including (but not limited to):

• regulating traffic (i.e., to assign priority and indicate regulations in force)
• informing motorists of hazards or regulatory controls ahead
• warning of temporary hazards that could endanger motorists or workers and plant engaged in work on the road.

AITDSA is not intended for innovative devices and solutions which already:

• fully conform with Australian Standard AS1742.3 (Traffic Control for Works on Roads) and/or the New Zealand Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (NZ CoPTTM), and/or
• have obtained approval for use in one or more jurisdictions in Australia or New Zealand.

However, Austroads members may require an innovative device or a solution to be assessed and recommended for use through AITDSA where:

• the device/solution partially conforms with AS1742.3 and/or NZ CoPTTM
• the device/solution has obtained approval in one or more jurisdictions in Australia or New Zealand, but the use of the ITDS is sought in other jurisdictions
• risks and issues have been recognised from the in-field operation of the ITDS which conform with AS1742.3 and/or NZ CoPTTM, or have obtained approval from one or more jurisdictions in Australia or New Zealand.

AITDSA is not intended for devices and solutions which are designed and used for the purpose of crash protection at work sites – these are managed through the Austroads Safety Barrier Assessment Program (ASBAP).

Given the Australian federated system, and the desire to drive Trans-Tasman consistency, the governance of AITDSA is critical.

The AITDSA Panel is central to the operation of AITDSA and draws on the collective knowledge and experience of Australian and New Zealand transport agencies to assess the suitability of innovative devices and solutions.

The AITDSA Panel consists of Austroads members from each Australian state and territory, and New Zealand. Appointments to the AITDSA Panel are approved by the Austroads Board.

The AITDSA Panel performs an overarching role in assessing innovative devices and solutions presented for assessment through AITDSA and gives validity to the assessment and recommendation process. The recommendations from the AITDSA Panel will assist in accepting and adopting innovative devices and solutions for use in each Australian and New Zealand jurisdiction.

The AITDSA Panel also determines whether (on a case-by-case basis) independent testing, field deployment and/or expert advice is required as part of the assessment, and for the Panel to make a recommendation.

Recommendations for the use of innovation devices and solutions are made by the AITDSA Panel after having considered the environmental, operational and training requirements which contribute to a holistic approach.

AITDSA adopts a holistic end-to-end approach to the assessment and recognition of innovative devices and solutions used for temporary traffic management.

The AITDSA assessment (led by the AITDSA Panel) process takes into account:

• what the innovative device/solution is intended to do
• environment parameters (the environments it can or cannot be used in)
• operational arrangements (the conditions necessary for safe use)
• training requirements (the user training needed to ensure its safe use)
• the interface and updating the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (to ensure there is an alignment).

The AITDSA scheme also provides a critical link to:

• ensuring the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management can support an innovative device or solution which has been recommended for use
• any training necessary for an Austroads member to be informed to adopt an innovative device or solution for use.

AITDSA assessment process model

AITDSA operates on the basis of cost recovery.

The submission fee of $5,000 (excl GST) is a fixed price which covers the cost of:

• engaging with interested parties during the Submit step
• reviewing, documentation, testing results, operational observations and other evidence to present
• obtaining further information and seeking clarification (where required)
• ensuring the information needs are satisfied prior to the submission being presented to the AITDSA Panel.

Assessment fees are determined on a case-by-case basis, after the AITDSA Panel has made a determination on the level of assessment required.

In general terms, innovative devices and solutions which represent a major advancement to temporary traffic management are likely to attract a more intensive assessment process than more simple innovations.

As a rule of thumb, the level of assessment will be influenced by:

• the complexity of the innovative device or solution
• the environmental parameters, operational conditions and training requirements to enable the safe operation of the innovative device or solution
• where the innovative device or solution sits within a hierarchy of temporary traffic management controls
• the extent of in-field testing and/or operational experience which the innovative device or solution has been subject to
• whether the innovative device or solution has been assessed and recognised for use in other regions internationally
• any other factors which may influence the overall risk-profile of the innovative device or solution from a holistic perspective.

Where the AITDSA Panel determines there is a need for independent assessments and/or specialist advice to inform the assessment process, this will be communicated to Sponsors.

The cost and timing of the assessment will be transparently presented to the Sponsors for consideration. The assessment process will only proceed with the agreement of the Sponsor.