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Comment by pete davis 8 hours ago

There seems to be more and more temporary roadworks signs placed in bike lanes lately , so I would like to get hold of the clause in  Australian Standards AS 1742.3 – Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Part 3: Traffic control for works on roads . I have looked on line at this manual , but it seems like you have to purchase the whole thing to be able to get to the nitti gritty .

So Heather , can you quote the relevant clause which refers to the placement of temporary signs , or tell me where I can get hold of it without having to spent         $200 or so ?  

I would like to be able to quote this clause when I ring up DPTI , or take photos and send to them in .  Thanks  

Comment by heather yesterday

Adelaide, North Adelaide, Jeffcott Street and Montefiore Road with bicycle lanes. Cycling hazard of temporary traffic control during roadworks. At 10.30am the NE corner of Jeffcott Street and Pennington Terrace was obstructed by SA Water truck and orange cones, with 3 travel lanes and bicycle lane narrowed to only one lane. Water was coming from a cover-lid but repair work had not commenced. Drivers would not let my bicycle into the remaining lane, so for safety I cycled to the east of the orange cones. A worker yelled that I could not go there; I braked momentarily to check the road again; replied that I could; he yelled back that it was illegal; I replied that I would not mix it with vehicles and kept on cycling south. At 2.30pm the roadworks were progressing. South of Montefiore Hill, the Montefiore Road western bicycle lane was fully blocked by two traffic control signs, plus orange cones branded 'Transfield'. I wondered why the signs could not have been placed partially on the grass, so room for commuter cyclists to squeeze past when more traffic. North of Montefiore Hill, the Jeffcott Street western bicycle lane was partially blocked by two traffic control signs. I wondered why the signs were not placed in the buffer zone between parked vehicles and the bicycle lane, as per on the eastern side of Jeffcott Street. Also one of the signs was the blank back, so serving no purpose, and if still there at 5.30pm would be a cycling hazard when no reflection from small bicycle lights. The SA Water truck was still there, plus a Transfield truck. Reported on 13-Jun-2013 by phone to ACC. I mentioned Australian Standard to cater for cyclists during roadworks and with safe placement of temporary traffic control signs. Refer Australian Standards AS 1742.3 – Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Part 3: Traffic control for works on roads. ACC said they would inspect the site.

Comment by Stephen Janes on May 31, 2013 at 6:49

Well a quick email to the Council with a photo got the signs removed the same day. But will the concept of keeping our space ever sink in?

Comment by Stephen Janes on May 20, 2013 at 21:59

A couple of signs outside the West Tce cemetery. looks like they could be there for a while the way the work on West Tce is progressing. Nice touch blocking half of a quite popular bike path. One sign is next to a bend...a real hazard!

Comment by Not an electronic mouse on March 21, 2013 at 10:44

I am happy to address the letter to councils as well as the minister. My thinking is that it is the DPTI that set and enforce the rules. If they aren't clear then it we'll never get the workers doing the right thing. Another idea would be to ask if cyclist safety is covered in the DPTI training programs.

Apparently there is a handbook ($15) called Traffic control devices for workzone traffic management that is referenced in the DPTI guidelines.

Comment by Not an electronic mouse on March 21, 2013 at 10:32

Paul - the manual can be found here: Manual

Heather - be interested to see the regulations but it appears that what the workers installing the signs refer to is this manual.

Comment by heather on March 21, 2013 at 8:05

There is a regulation or similar that requires cyclists to be catered for when doing roadworks. Give me time to find the info again.

Comment by Paul Anderson on March 20, 2013 at 21:44

Hello O mousey one,

I'd love to have a peek at that Manual!

Not sure completely, but methinks bicycles are classed as vehicles as far as 'signs posing hazards', which would be consistent with the definitions under the Australian Road Rules. In that case, it is as valid to place a traffic advisory sign blocking the car's lane as it is to put it so it blocks the bike's lane - that is, not valid at all. Both are vehicles.

So the issue becomes poor training/non-compliance with guidelines, work permit or regulations/incompetence/laziness/bad judgement (evidently there is some leeway for traffic signs to be a bit in the way, but not totally blocking the lane).

Perhaps your letter could be re-addressed to Councils and the Transport Dept (the main hiring bodies) as a part of a larger reporting campaign, telling them we are going to collect data on who what and where and subsequently demand that contracts not be given to the main offenders. A bit of name and shame.

I'd be in for a bit of shit stirring, direct action style. Take photos and note the Contractor's name, get lots of people involved and make it an issue......

Comment by Not an electronic mouse on March 20, 2013 at 12:12

The followign is a work in progress letter to the minister on roadwork signs in bike lanes - any help finishing it off would be appreciated.

Dear Minister,

I am writing to request that immediate action be taken to ensure that cyclists are not endangered by the practice of installing temporary roadwork signs in bike lanes.

I have made numerous observations of roadwork signs being installed in bike lanes without regard to the impact on cyclist safety.

The February 2012 edition of the DPTI publication “Manual of Legal Responsibilities and Technical Requirements for Traffic Control Devices”,  Part 2 - Code of Technical Requirements states in section 1.6.3. Pedestrian related hazards, that “Installation of traffic control devices shall not pose a hazard to pedestrians.”

This specific protection of pedestrians does not seem to be replicated for cyclists. I call for the equivalent protection of cyclists.

etc

Comment by pete davis on March 8, 2013 at 11:04

The photo below is of Seacombe Road Darlington.

I just rode through there and let the traffic management people (lollypop people ) that their sign was in a dangerous position and should not be there , (why the rubbish bins ?) , but it did not look like they were going to move it on to the footpath , so I have just contacted The Traffic Management Centre . we'll see what happens !

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