The purpose of this Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is to minimise mobile plant interactions with people and other vehicles within the Port Nelson Ltd (PNL) Container Terminal (CT) and to establish efficient controls to minimise the risk of personal injury and damage due to those interactions.
The objectives of the plan include:
Ensuring the safety of all personnel who access the CT.
- Establishing and implementing clear traffic management guidelines.
- Minimising traffic congestion.
- Providing a training resource for personnel requiring access to the CT.
- The TMP will be reviewed on an annual basis or as required following any significant change.
- Must ensure they are familiar with this Container Terminal TMP prior to entering the site.
- Must not be impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst operating vehicles or plant.
- Must ensure vehicles/plant are operated safely in accordance with all PNL safety standards.
- Must always observe the requirements of this TMP.
- Must be aware of pedestrian interaction whilst operating a vehicle.
- Must report any incidents (using the PNL reporting process) to assist in the implementation of corrective actions.
- Must comply with Port Nelson Common User Protocols/Port User Safety Protocols and
relevant PNL Inductions.
- Must ensure they are familiar with this Container Terminal TMP prior to entering the site.
- Must always observe the requirements of this TMP.
- Must remain constantly vigilant and stop/look for traffic around working areas in particular shed doorways, crossing vehicle routes, blind corners and when in congested areas.
- Should consider if access is best via walkways or using a vehicle, depending on the task/activity required.
- Must report any incidents (using the PNL reporting process) to assist in the implementation of corrective actions.
- Must comply with Port Nelson Common User Protocols/Port User Safety Protocols and
relevant PNL Inductions.
- The maximum speed limit is 20kph in the CT.
- The maximum speed limit in and around any building or shed is 10kph.
- Container Handling Equipment is speed limited to either 20kph or 18kph depending on type.
- Always drive to the conditions, if you are unsure or in doubt slow down.
Priority / Give Way Hierarchy
- All heavy mobile container handling machinery in the CT have the right of way.
- Unloaded machinery gives way to loaded machinery.
- Forklifts and other heavy mobile vehicles have the right of way over all light vehicles.
- Vehicles giving way should position themselves in a safe location to allow right of way
vehicles space to pass. - At Stop and Give Way signs:
- Container handlers of all types are not able to see around corners at Stop/Give Way
intersections due to their cab position. - In these instances, they will adjust speed to an appropriate level and cautiously
proceed through the intersection. - Other vehicles need to be aware of this and always give way or stop.
- Where possible container handling equipment will avoid intersections where there is
a risk of light vehicle or truck interaction.
- Container handlers of all types are not able to see around corners at Stop/Give Way
General Rules
- All heavy container handling machines have a responsibility to keep others safe.
- Standard NZTA road rules apply to all vehicles other than container handling equipment.
- Obey all traffic signs, Stop and Give Way according to the above Hierarchy.
- Under no circumstances shall vehicle operators drive and talk on or use mobile phones at the
same time. - No person shall ride anywhere on vehicles other than in the seats provided, unless an
approved written exemption has been granted by Port Nelson. - Seat belts or restraints shall be worn at all times by vehicle operators, vehicle drivers and
their passengers. unless an approved written exemption has been granted by Port Nelson. - U-turns’ should be avoided wherever possible.
- Under no circumstance should a machine operator make assumptions as to the whereabouts of other operators/ground staff.
- Assume you have not been seen, ensure eye contact with the other driver or pedestrian prior to moving.
- No person shall get on or off a vehicle unless it is stationary with the park brake applied.
- Non container handling vehicles must treat the yard as being full at all times – they must follow roadways and may not cut across marked container grids (unless to avoid other traffic where no alternative).
- STOP if you are unsure. Remain stopped until the operator signals you on.
- Consider driving with your window open so you can hear other equipment that may be near you.
- If you need to travel in someone else’s operational area, communicate with them prior to entering and obtain permission to proceed.
- No overhead loads shall go overhead of workers or light vehicles for any reason.
- At times container handling equipment may need to go down the wrong side of the road. Constantly be alert to the movement of machinery and other vehicles around you.
- Drivers must ensure that a safe following distance behind a vehicle in front is maintained so that there is enough time to stop without colliding with the vehicle in front. A safe distance will vary depending on road and weather conditions, visibility, the type of vehicle being driven and other factors. Minimum following distance will be 2 seconds in the dry and 4 seconds in the wet.
- The VTA area is restricted to heavy plant involved in the transfer of containers. All other vehicles are to use the internal roadways and keep clear of the VTA at all times.