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SiteSafety Traffic Plan Services
220 Liberty Place, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 1X6
Tel: (604) 644-9020 Fax: (604) 298-7838
E-mail: info@trafficplans.ca
On the Web: www.trafficplans.ca

Traffic Plans

When a contractor wishes to work within a roadway he must apply to the provincial government, on provincial highways or in unorganized territory, or to the municipal government in the municipality or city where the works are located, for a permit to do so. If the type of traffic disruption is covered in the 'Traffic Control Manual for Work on Roadways' it is often sufficient for the applicant to indicate on his permit application the diagram number in the Traffic Manual that best represents the traffic control setup he intends to use. This is frequently all that he requires.

However, if the road configuration or traffic patterns are not covered specifically in the Traffic Manual, it is usual for the government authority to request a plan showing what the contractor proposes to do about traffic. Such a plan must show the roadway, must indicate the anticipated traffic, and must lay out the traffic control devices to be used and the TCP's and their equipment that will attend. This plan is attached to the application as part of the request for a permit.

Most government authorities require five days to review the permit application and they may, if they feel the plan is deficient, send it back requesting changes. This is important because a contractor intending to schedule work for a certain day must take this delay into account in his planning.

The definitive publication on Traffic Plans in British Columbia is the "Traffic Management Guidelines for Work on Roadways" published by the Ministry of Transport and Highways. Although this document says that it is "primarily intended for District Highway Managers, who authorize work on highways, and for Ministry staff who develop strategies for traffic management and evaluate traffic management plans", the principals set out are the de facto guidelines for municipal and city planning departments as well.

Five types of traffic plan are identified:

Category 1

Work activities typically require single or multilane lane closures but two-way traffic operation is maintained at all times. Works are typically completed in one day. Regardless of the number of days required to complete the works, lane closures are removed at the end of each work period and traffic operations are normalized. Work activities may be performed during the day or at night.

Category 2

Work activities or roadway configuration require alternating single lane traffic operations or temporary road closures. Works are typically completed within one day. Regardless of the number of days required to complete the works, lane closures are removed at the end of each work period and traffic operations are normalized. Work activities may be performed during the day or at night.

Category 3

Work activities require that the highway be closed to one or both directions of traffic and that detours be put in place. Detours remain in place 24 hours per day for the duration of the works. Work activities may be performed during the day or at night.

Category 4

Roadway configuration, traffic volumes and the size of the work zone require staged traffic control plans to accommodate the work activities. Lane operations are affected for the duration of the project. However, primary impacts on traffic operations are confined to the transportation corridor containing the work zone. Work activities may be performed during the day or at night. This type of plan must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the Province of British Columbia.

Category 5

Roadway configuration, traffic volumes and the size of the work zone require staged traffic control plans to accommodate the work activities. Lane operations are affected for the duration of the project. Impact of the work zone on traffic operations extends beyond the work zone and affects alternate routes. Work activities may be performed during the day or at night. This type of plan must be sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the Province of British Columbia.

For each of these plan types the requirements are clearly spelled out. This is an indispensable guide to traffic planning and anyone involved in the control of traffic flows should be completely familiar with this document.

In the majority of cases the contractor will need only a single page plan with a simple layout and basic information of the works to be done. But as the complexity increases these plans can become several pages of diagrams and maps and these complex plans often cannot be approved in five days. It is important to discuss your needs early. We can give you an estimate of the time you will need for approval once you contact us. But don't delay.