Vulnerable Road Users: A Priority, Not an Afterthought in TTM

Introduction

Too often, pedestrians and cyclists are an afterthought in worksite planning.

Under the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (AGTTM), vulnerable road users (VRUs) must be considered from the outset — not as a retrofit.

This includes:

• Pedestrians

• Cyclists

• Motorcyclists

• Children, elderly or mobility-impaired users

If you’re designing a TMP or TGS without these groups in mind, you’re likely breaching your obligations.

Who Are VRUs?

AGTTM defines vulnerable road users as those with higher exposure and lower protection in the road environment.

They are at greater risk from:

• Poor or missing delineation

• High-speed proximity

• Detours without accessibility provisions

• Slippery or uneven surfaces

Reference: AGTTM03-21, Sections 3.10, 4.10, and 5.13

Key VRU Planning Requirements

• Continuous, accessible paths must be provided

• Alternate routes must match the protection level of the original (e.g. fencing, lighting)

• Detours must avoid high-risk interactions with traffic or plant

• All transitions must be clear, stable, and consistent with AS 1428.1 for accessibility

Motorcyclists also require:

• Non-slippery surfaces

• Predictable transitions

• Proper delineation across speed zones

Common Failures in Worksites

• Missing temporary footpaths or crossings

• Using road shoulders without ramps or barriers

• Unmarked cyclist routes or pinch points

• Detours with no lighting or signage for night travel

These are compliance failures — and safety time bombs.

Real-World Tip

If your worksite affects a shared path or school zone, your VRU plan should be site-specific and visually obvious. The design should reflect:

• Time-of-day risks (school pickup, weekend pedestrian flows)

• Alternate accessibility paths (kerb ramps, detour signage)

• Buffering from live traffic using fencing or barriers

What Auditors Expect

• TMP includes VRU risk identification

• Detours are shown on the TGS (not just noted in text)

• Adequate spacing and safe clearances are marked

Reference: AGTTM02-21, Section 3.4.2; AGTTM03-21, Section 5.13

Final Word

Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists are not just "other road users." They are the most at risk when traffic management is rushed or standardised.

Design for them deliberately, document it clearly, and protect them as if it were your own family passing through.