TMP Risk Assessments: Scope, Requirements, and Practical Guidance

Adam Gardiner
May 27
2 min read

Introduction

Under the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM), risk assessments are no longer optional – they are the foundation of any compliant TMP. Done well, they guide safe, efficient, and auditable TTM outcomes. Done poorly, they increase exposure to legal, reputational, and operational risk.

Let’s walk through how to do it right.

The Role of Risk Assessment in TMPs

A TMP is more than a traffic plan; it’s a risk mitigation strategy. The risk assessment component:

Identifies hazards to road users, workers, and vulnerable groups
Evaluates the likelihood and consequences of each risk
Informs the Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS), staging, and control methods

Reference: AGTTM02-21, Section 3.3 and AGTTM10-21, Section 2.4

What the AGTTM Requires

Minimum inclusions in a TMP risk assessment:

Project-specific context (location, road category, traffic volumes)
Identified risks for each stage of work
Evaluation of each risk using a defined matrix (likelihood x consequence)
Control measures aligned to the hierarchy of control
Residual risks documented and managed

Reference: AGTTM02-21, Clause 3.3.1 to 3.3.5

Example Risk Categories

Live traffic exposure (e.g. lane closures on high-speed roads)
End-of-queue collisions
Pedestrian interface with plant or materials
Night-time visibility or glare
Access for emergency services

These must be contextualised to site conditions, not listed generically.

Understanding the Hierarchy of Control

AGTTM mandates control selection in this order:

Eliminate
Substitute
Engineer
Admin
PPE

For instance, substituting night works with day shifts (where feasible) is a more effective control than adding lighting or hi-vis gear.

Reference: AGTTM02-21, Section 3.3.4; AGTTM10-21, Section 2.4.5

Format That Works (and Passes Audit)

A strong TMP risk assessment will typically include:

A tabular risk register
Clear mapping of each hazard to a TGS feature
Commentary on controls not visually obvious on plans
Summary of high or extreme risks and how they’ll be monitored

Common Audit Failures

Using generic or templated risk tables with no site relevance
No evidence of the hierarchy being followed
Controls listed that aren’t reflected in the actual TGS
Lack of residual risk commentary

Real-World Tip

If your TMP includes speed reductions, controller use, or barriers – each must be risk-justified. Over-controlling and under-controlling both raise red flags.

Final Word

Risk assessments aren’t a box-tick. They’re a legal and operational shield.

Use your site walk-through, engineering judgement, and field team input to make them meaningful. Because the most important thing you manage on-site isn’t traffic – it’s risk.