Temporary traffic management is one of the highest-risk areas in local government – but with the right planning, tools and oversight, councils can prevent incidents and save lives.
Poor temporary traffic management is not just inconvenient, it can be deadly and councils play a central role in getting it right.
At the 2026 Municipal Works Conference and Exhibition in Bendigo, Thuan Nguyen, Traffic Lead at Safe System Solutions and Lecturer in traffic and transport at Swinburne University, delivered a practical and at times confronting look at the realities of managing traffic through roadworks. Drawing on his experience in local government and consulting, Nguyen outlined why temporary traffic management remains one of the most challenging and critical areas for councils.
Nguyen told delegates that temporary traffic management should not be viewed as a standalone task, but as part of the broader Safe System approach.
“This is called a Safe System philosophy, every single council has adopted it,” Nguyen said.
He explained that the framework – encompassing safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users and safer speeds – directly applies to work zones.
“Temporary traffic management covers all those four areas,” he said. “If council has committed to it, they need to invest in it.”
For local governments under pressure to allocate limited funding, Nguyen suggested this alignment provides a strong justification for improving traffic management practices, particularly as Victoria works towards ambitious road safety targets.
“We are committed to reducing fatalities by half in the next four years, which is a big challenge. If you work in this area, you have an opportunity to help achieve that,” he said.
A high-risk environment
Nguyen did not shy away from the risks. He described temporary traffic management as a “very challenging area”, shaped by unpredictable road user behaviour, changing traffic conditions and complex site constraints.
Using recent real-world examples, Nguyen showed how quickly situations can deteriorate, from impatient drivers crossing medians to avoid queues, to dangerous overtaking in two-way work zones.
“That’s what traffic management companies have to deal with. That’s what councils have to deal with,” Nguyen said.
He noted that even relatively minor inefficiencies, such as poorly timed temporary signals, can escalate risk.
“Someone could have adjusted the phasing of that light and given more green light to the outbound traffic in the afternoon, in peak hours. These small details can make a big difference,” he said.
More concerning, however, were the consequences of getting it wrong. Nguyen shared that he had been involved in investigations into three fatalities at roadwork sites in recent years.
“It is very sad, because as I go through all the paperwork, the trail of what happened, and my conclusion for all three of those fatalities were; it was a preventable death,” he said.
“That is why it is such a challenging environment – but also why it is so important.”
Under occupational health and safety legislation, Nguyen reminded councils that roadwork sites are classified as high-risk workplaces, bringing clear legal and moral responsibilities.
“You change traffic arrangements, you change speed environments, you introduce more conflict points,” he said.
“We’ve got vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists – and low compliance.”
Designing out risk
A key message from Nguyen’s presentation was that many risks can be significantly reduced, or even eliminated, through better planning, design and procurement.
He pointed to the continued use of outdated or unsafe practices, such as placing traffic controllers on high-speed roads with stop/slow bats.
“You don’t put a human out there on those roads anymore,” Nguyen said.
Instead, he highlighted the increasing availability of portable traffic control devices, such as temporary signals, which remove workers from direct exposure to traffic.
“We have the solutions, it’s just a matter of using them,” he said.
While cost is often cited as a barrier, Nguyen argued that councils can address this through their procurement processes.
“When you put out tender documents, you can specify these requirements,” he said.
“You create a level playing field so all contractors price for the same safety measures.”
He also stressed the importance of regular auditing and independent review of work sites.
“Yesterday I was out there doing auditing, and it’s a very good tool,” Nguyen said.
“You can identify issues and fix them before something happens.”
Training and accreditation were also highlighted as critical, particularly in light of national harmonisation changes in temporary traffic management.
“Make sure your staff are trained, qualified and recognise the risks,” he said.
Nguyen emphasised that effective traffic management must consider both workers and the travelling public.
Simple measures such as road closures, physical barriers and truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) can significantly reduce risk when used correctly.
“Shut the road if you can. Use barriers. Use TMAs,” he said.
“These devices are effective. If you don’t have them, the consequences can be severe.”
However, he cautioned that these controls must be properly designed and implemented. Poorly installed barriers or inconsistent signage can introduce new hazards.
“I’ve seen situations where signage doesn’t make sense. Drivers don’t know what speed to follow,” Nguyen said.
“That’s why compliance is low. Sometimes we get it wrong in the first place.”
Queue management was another critical issue, particularly on higher-speed roads where congestion can extend beyond the immediate work site.
“The impact of work can go a lot further back than you think,” he said.
“If queues spill onto freeways, that’s a real risk.”
Nguyen pointed to tools such as traffic impact assessments, variable message signs and real-time monitoring as ways to better manage these risks.
Communication and accountability
Beyond physical controls, Nguyen highlighted the importance of clear communication with road users and stakeholders.
“People are very tech savvy now, and we have so many ways to reach the public. Make sure you tell them what’s happening,” he said.
Failure to communicate effectively can lead to frustration, unsafe behaviour and increased complaints.
Cyclists and pedestrians also require greater consideration, with Nguyen noting that they are often overlooked in traffic management planning.
“Some operators may just close a bike lane and say, ‘good luck’,” he said.
“That’s not good enough.”
Ultimately, Nguyen urged councils to take a proactive and collaborative approach, working closely with contractors and stakeholders to continuously improve.
One practical step he recommended was conducting worksite safety observations.
“You talk to the contractor, and a lot of the time they’ll say, ‘I never thought of that’, and you can reduce the risk before something terrible happens.”
Nguyen closed his presentation with a reminder that temporary traffic management is not just a technical requirement, but a shared responsibility with real human consequences.
“How much is the cost of a life?”
Other recent stories:
