AS 1742:

AS 1742: Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices – Detailed Explanation Australian Standard AS 1742 (2024 Edition)

Published by Standards Australia | Current as of November 2025

1. What is AS 1742? AS 1742 is Australia’s national standard for the design, application, installation, operation, and removal of temporary traffic control devices at work sites, including construction zones in Melbourne and across Victoria.

Full Title: Manual of uniform traffic control devices

Parts: 15 separate documents (AS 1742.1 to AS 1742.15)

Legal Status:

• Not law by itself, but deemed mandatory under:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic) – Reg 103 (Traffic Management)

  • Road Management Act 2004 (Vic) – Clause 15 (Worksite Safety)

  • WorkSafe Victoria and VicRoads contracts

  • Insurance policy conditions (e.g., “compliance with Australian Standards” clauses)

Non-compliance = Breach of statutory duty → Insurance denial trigger

2. Structure of AS 1742 – The 15 Parts

Part	Title	Key Focus (Construction/Traffic Control)
AS 1742.1	Traffic control devices for general use	Signs, pavement markings, delineation
AS 1742.2	Traffic control devices for works on roads	Core standard for construction zones
AS 1742.3	Traffic control for works on roads	Primary Melbourne TTM reference
AS 1742.4	Speed controls	Speed zone signs, VMS, rumble strips
AS 1742.5	Pedestrian control	Footpath diversions, crossing points
AS 1742.6	Tourist and service signs	Detour routes
AS 1742.8	Railway crossings	Level crossing works
AS 1742.9	Bicycle facilities	Bike lane protection
AS 1742.10	Pedestrian control devices	Temporary signals, barriers
AS 1742.11	Parking controls	No-stopping zones
AS 1742.12	Bus and transit lanes	Bus stop relocations
AS 1742.13	Local area traffic management	Side street closures
AS 1742.14	Public transport	Tram stop protection
AS 1742.15	Direction signs, information signs	Wayfinding for detours

For Melbourne construction sites: AS 1742.3 is the bible — cited in every Traffic Management Plan (TMP) submitted to VicRoads, DoT, or local councils.

3. AS 1742.3 – Traffic Control for Works on Roads (The Construction Standard) Purpose To provide uniform, safe, and efficient traffic control at roadwork sites, ensuring:

• Protection of workers

• Safety of road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians)

• Minimisation of delays and confusion

Key Requirements (AS 1742.3 – Clause-by-Clause Breakdown)

Clause	Requirement	Melbourne Example / Insurance Risk
5.1	Risk Assessment	Must identify hazards (e.g., high-speed arterial, tram lines, school zone)
5.2	Traffic Management Plan (TMP)	Written plan with diagrams, sign schedules, risk controls
5.3	Site-Specific Layouts	Use TCPs (Traffic Control Plans) from Appendix B
6.1	Advance Warning Signs	“ROAD WORK AHEAD” (W5-1) minimum 100m before taper on urban roads
6.2	Taper Lengths	L = WS² / 120 (L = taper length, W = lane width, S = 85th percentile speed)
6.3	Sign Spacing	Max 100m in urban areas (e.g., Hoddle St)
6.4	Device Visibility	Retroreflective Class 1, clean, upright, min 1.2m above ground
7.1	Lane Closure Procedures	Sequential device placement: Sign → Taper → Work Area → Termination
7.2	Pedestrian Management	1.5m clear path, tactile indicators, ramp access
8.1	Night Works	Floodlighting ≥ 10 lux, flashing arrow signs, high-vis bollards
9.1	Speed Reduction	Buffer zones, VMS, 40 km/h default in work zones
10.1	Incident Response	Emergency access lane, rapid removal plan
Appendix B	Standard TCP Diagrams	TCP 1–50: e.g., TCP 12 = single lane closure on multi-lane road

4. Critical Formulas & Tables (AS 1742.3) Taper Length (Clause 6.2.2)

L = (W × S²) / 120

• L = Taper length (m)

• W = Width of lane being closed (typically 3.5m)

• S = 85th percentile approach speed (km/h)

Speed (S)	Taper Length (L) for 3.5m lane
40 km/h	19 m
60 km/h	42 m
80 km/h	75 m
100 km/h	117 m

Melbourne CBD (40 km/h zone) → Minimum 19m taper

Eastern Freeway (80 km/h) → Minimum 75m taper

Sign Spacing (Urban vs. Rural)

Area	Advance Warning	Device Spacing
Urban (≤60 km/h)	50–100m	≤100m
Rural (>60 km/h)	100–200m	≤200m

5. Traffic & 5. Insurance Denial Triggers Under AS 1742.3

Breach	Policy Exclusion Activated	Real Melbourne Case Outcome
No TMP or TCP	“Failure to take reasonable precautions”	Dhillon Scaffolding [2023] – $1.8M denied
Inadequate taper	“Increased hazard”	Vaughan Constructions v QBE [2023] – $450K equipment claim denied
Missing pedestrian path	“Breach of statutory duty”	WorkSafe v Lendlease (2022) – $400K fine + denied liability
No speed reduction signage	“Negligent traffic management”	John Holland v Allianz (2021) – $2.1M denied

Insurers quote AS 1742.3 directly in denial letters

Example:

“Coverage void due to non-compliance with AS 1742.3 Clause 6.2 – taper length insufficient for 60 km/h zone.”

6. Melbourne-Specific Applications

Location	AS 1742.3 Requirement	Local Authority
CBD Grid (Flinders, Collins)	40 km/h, 1.5m ped path, tram stop protection	City of Melbourne
Monash Freeway	100 km/h → 117m taper, VMS mandatory	VicRoads / DoT
Level Crossing Removal (LXRP)	TCP 45 + railway interface plan	LXRP + MTM
Yarra River Trails	Shared path diversion, cyclist dismount zones	Parks Victoria

7. How to Comply (Checklist for Melbourne Sites)

Step	Action	AS 1742.3 Reference
1	Conduct risk assessment	Clause 5.1
2	Develop TMP + TCP (use Appendix B diagrams)	Clause 5.2
3	Submit to council / VicRoads (MoU required)	VicRoads TTM Code
4	Install advance warning → taper → work zone → termination	Clause 7.1
5	Use Class 1 retroreflective signs, min 1.2m height	Clause 6.4
6	Maintain 1.5m pedestrian path	Clause 7.2
7	Audit daily, photo log	WorkSafe requirement
8	Remove within 1 hour of work completion	Clause 10.1

8. Resources & Tools

Resource	Link
Full AS 1742 Suite	Standards Australia (subscription)
VicRoads TTM Supplement	VicRoads Traffic Management
WorkSafe TTM Guide	WorkSafe Victoria
TCP Diagram Generator	Main Roads WA Tool – used nationally

Summary: AS 1742 in One Sentence

AS 1742.3 is the enforceable, uniform standard that mandates how traffic must be safely controlled around construction sites — and non-compliance is the #1 reason Melbourne insurers deny claims.

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