Working on roads
We are committed to ensuring that external works and temporary traffic management can occur safely on roads, in a coordinated manner and with minimal disruption to road users.
If you are planning any of the following you will need to notify us and obtain consent:
- If you are planning to conduct road works or an event that requires traffic management on a state road, refer to the 'Traffic Management for Roadworks & Events' section.
- If you require traffic management on a local government road which will affect the operation of traffic signals, or is within 30 metres of traffic signals, refer to the 'Traffic Management for Roadworks & Events' section.
- If you are planning to do work within the road reserve (including the roadway and / or the roadside), refer to the 'Third Party Roads' section.
Additionally, anyone seeking to conduct Traffic Management should refer to the ‘Training and Accreditation’ section, and any company that seeks to provide traffic management services should refer to the information in the 'Traffic Management Company Registration Scheme' section.
Any individual or organisation proposing to undertake works within a Main Roads' road reserve must obtain prior approval from Main Roads.
The type of works may include:
- Constructing new access roads from subdivisions, driveways, properties;
- Constructing slip lanes or turning pockets;
- Installation of services by a non government utility service provider; and
- Any other work required within the Main Roads Road Reserve.
Forms & Policies
Local roads
For application and approvals to carry out works on local roads, please contact the relevant Local Road Authority. Visit the WALGA website for more information on the Local Government Guidelines for Restoration and Reinstatement.
Further information
For further information on conducting works within a Main Roads' road reserves, please contact:
- Metropolitan Region please contact the Customer Services Manager, 138 138 or email to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au
- For regional offices please contact the relevant Customer Services Manager. Visit the Contact Us page for contact details.
What you need to know
Under Section 297(1) of the Road Traffic Code 2000 (RTC2000) the Commissioner of Main Roads (CMR) is listed as the only person with authority to erect, establish, or display, alter or take down any road sign or traffic signal on the State's road network.
Under Section 297(2) of the RTC2000 the CMR can delegate this authority to 'Authorised Bodies' such as Local Government, utility service providers and Main Roads' Integrated Services Providers, subject to the terms and conditions set out in an Instrument of Authorisation. See the Authorised Agreements section on this page for more information.
Work Health and Safety
Under Section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act (2020), the CMR as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, as well as other persons that may be put at risk from the work being carried out (road users).
The above legislation places considerable responsibility on the CMR to ensure that traffic management is conducted in a safe manner for road workers and road users, including those managing and participation in events on roads.
To encourage uniform, safe and appropriate traffic management, the CMR requires all traffic management (whether carried out by Main Roads or others) to be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Management for Works on Roads and/or the Traffic Management for Events on Roads Code of Practice, as applicable.
Approvals
Roadway access permission must be obtained for that agency responsible for the care, control and management of the road on which the work is to be carried out on.
- For application kits and guidelines when conducting works on a State road under the care and control of Main Road, see 'Third party works' above.
- For works undertaken on Local Government reserves contact the relevant Local Government.
- For works undertaken on all other road reserves, contact the Authority responsible for that road.
Any person, company, consultant, contractor, utility service provider or a government instrumentality that is not an Authorised Body must obtain approval from us to install a Road Sign, Traffic Sign or a Traffic-Control Signal on a road that the public is entitled to use.
Applications to undertake works on Main Roads WA roads shall be submitted to the Regional Asset Manager for approval before works can commence.
Recently Approved Innovative Temporary Traffic Management Products
The following products have recently been approved for use in WA at temporary traffic management sites:
Portable Temporary Traffic Signals
Product name: eStop, eStop M, eStop Auto
Distributor: Arrow Emergency Systems
Website: www.arrowes.com.au
Product name: Portable Traffic Light, PTL
Distributor: Madison Technologies Pty Ltd
Website: https://madison.tech/brands/portable-traffic-light/
Product name: TriLight
Distributor: Outsource1
Website: www.outsource1.com.au
Portable Temporary Boom Barrier
Product name: Portaboom
Distributor: Traffic Access & Solutions
Website: www.trafficaccess.com.au
Product: eBoom (must be used with portable traffic signal)
Distributor: Arrow Emergency Systems
Website: www.arrowes.com.au
Temporary Portable Rumble Strips
Product name: RoadQuakeDistributor: SafeRoads
Website: www.saferoads.com.au
MMS Panel Separator
Product name: SBLOKITEmail: sblokit@leglesssigns.com.au
Website: www.leglesssigns.com.au
Application for Traffic Management Accreditation
This list of Approved Traffic Management Training Providers (PDF) have met the requirements of our Service Agreement for Training Providers (PDF) and have been approved to issue Traffic Management accreditation.
A graduate search tool is also provided to help you verify that a person holds a valid Main Roads Traffic Management accreditation.
Access to our Training and Accreditation Database is provided for approved RTOs to update the details of those who have successfully met all accreditation pre-requisites into our Training and Accreditation databased.
Roadworks Traffic Managers
Roadworks Traffic Manager (RTM) accreditation was created to increase the standard of traffic management on WA roads. RTM accreditation is the highest accreditation that can be achieved in WA and given to traffic management professionals with the most knowledge, skills and experience in the traffic management industry.
All Traffic Management Plans (TMP) for works involving “complex traffic management arrangements” are required to be reviewed and endorsed by a Roadworks Traffic Manager (RTM).
We also require all major projects to have Suitability and Compliance Audits on the temporary traffic management schemes conducted by RTMs; as specified in the project specific tender requirements.
Roadworks Traffic Manager (RTM) Listing
All RTMs listed meet the accreditation requirements for registration.
- Roadworks Traffic Managers RTM) List - (PDF 123 KB)
Those seeking to engage an RTM should be confident that those listed have suitable experience and are capable of providing the required standard of services. MRWA takes no responsibility for the suitability of RTMs selected.
RTM Accreditation Information
For information on the Accreditation Process for RTMs see the below document:
A completed copy of the following documents should be included in your application:
- RTM Accreditation Application Form (Word document)
- Roadworks Traffic Managers - Code of Conduct (PDF)
- RTM Mentoring Checklist (Word document)
RTM Accreditation Panel
The RTM Accreditation Panel has the responsibility to assess the applications for accreditation of RTMs, consider any formal complaints of professional misconduct against RTMs and make recommendations of any process improvements required to uphold the conduct and standards of work of RTMs.
This registration scheme applies to any company, agency or organisation that implements temporary traffic management on State roads. Registration is required if the traffic management requires a closure or speed restriction. This applies to all State roads across Western Australia.
The aim of this scheme is to improve the quality and safety of traffic management on State roads. Traffic management is a high risk activity and deviation from safety standards can lead to death or serious injury to the public and road workers. Incorrect traffic management can also cause increased congestion. The scheme is a significant initiative to improve the safety and quality of traffic management on State roads in Western Australia.
The scheme requires applicants to demonstrate safety, quality and consistency in delivering traffic management services. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their suitability against selection criteria. The registration requirement is in addition to the existing requirements for individuals to be trained and accredited.
Objectives
The main objectives of the registration scheme are to:
- Improve the quality and consistency of traffic management on site
- Increase the safety of the public and road workers
- Raise industry standards and improve industry image
- Establish feedback mechanisms and tangible consequences for companies that fail to implement correct traffic management.
Registration type:
- Full registration: 3 years - Applicants meet all scheme pre-requisites
- Conditional registration: 1 year - Applicants do no meet all scheme pre-requisites. Issued where the applicant has an expectation of achieving criteria in the future. For example new business start ups
Forms and Policies
Visit our contact us page for any questions, or click the button below to subscribe to our email list for updates.
Under Section 297(2) of the RTC2000 the CMR can delegate this authority to 'Authorised Bodies' such as Local Government, utility service providers and Main Roads' Integrated Services Providers, subject to the terms and conditions set out in an Instrument of Authorisation.
Condition (b) of the Instrument of Authorisation requires Authorised Bodies to develop and implement procedures that will satisfy the Commissioner of Main Roads that traffic management implemented by the Authorised Bodies will conform and comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice.To help Authorised Bodies meet this condition Main Roads, with significant contribution from the City of Nedlands and the City of Perth, has developed the below Administrative Protocol and Procedural Manual for the authorisation of temporary traffic management for road works. In accordance with the Instrument, these documents are what the Commissioner of Main Roads requires each Authorised Body to have in place and follow to meet the requirements of the Instrument.
The current format of the protocol and procedure is a template and as such can be modified (within the intent of the documents) to suit each Authorised Bodies' capacity and requirements.
- Administration Protocol - Traffic Management for works with in a Road Reserve
- Administrative Procedure - Traffic Management for works with in a Road Reserve