15/05/2026
TfNSW - TCAWS from Technical Guide to Technical Standard!
1. Background
Transport’s role is to lead the development of a safe, reliable and sustainable transport network. We are responsible for strategy, planning, policy, regulation, and other critical functions for all modes of transport in NSW, including road, metro, train, bus, ferry, light rail, point-to-point transport, on-demand services, community transport, cycling and walking.
Best practice temporary traffic management is integral to the management of road safety and work site safety risks. To support this, Transport is updating Traffic control at work sites Technical
Manual to a Technical Standard, TS 05492:1.0 Traffic control at work sites (TCAWS) standard.
The intent is to provide clear guidance and requirements for planning and implementing best practice temporary traffic management, ensuring the safety of both workers and road users across NSW.
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2. This document
The draft Transport Technical Standard TS 05492, Traffic control at work sites (TCAWS) version 1.0, is open for consultation. This fact sheet provides an overview of the key changes in the draft TS
05492:1.0 TCAWS standard.
The Technical Standard TS 05492:1.0 TCAWS defines the minimum technical requirements and provides comprehensive guidance for temporary traffic management on all public roads. Its
purpose is to ensure the safe and efficient movement of traffic, including cyclists, pedestrians and other road users, through work sites and other activities occurring on or near roads.
3. TS 05492:1.0 TCAWS Change summary
The changes in the draft TS 05492:1.0 TCAWS are:
• Reclassification of TCAWS from a Technical Manual to Transport Standard TS 05492 Traffic control at work sites (TCAWS) version 1.0, aligned to the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Standards Management Framework.
• The standard will detail the requirements for planning, implementing, operating, inspecting and reviewing temporary traffic management on all public roads in NSW.
It is also intended to act as a guidance document for best practice in temporary traffic management.
• Updated content to reflect new legislation and TfNSW policies and procedures including health and safety, risk management and TfNSW Standards Management Framework.
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• Editorial, diagrammatic, and technical amendments to respond to current research and industry best practice.
• Clarification of when a requirement is mandatory.
• Inclusion of additional figures to provide greater clarity and understanding of requirements and guidance.
• Inclusion of mandatory requirements to end-of-queue management, crash attenuators, and speed zoning to ensure a safer and more consistent approach to risk mitigation across NSW
road network.
• The current TCAWS Technical Manual and approval pathways, accountability arrangements, and operational procedures for prescribed traffic control devices will continue to be in effect until the new standard is published.
5. TS 05492:1.0 TCAWS key section changes
General updates have been made to the TCAWS Technical Manual, Issue 6.1, to align with TfNSW Standards Management Framework. The summary of proposed key changes in the draft TS05492:1.0 TCAWS Standards.
Traffic Control at Work Sites
Designation : TS 05492
Version : 1
Document type : Standard
Mode : Road (RD)
Standards Lead Title : Professional Head of Corridor Infrastructure & Engineering
Discipline : TR - Traffic
Link to DRAFT:
https://standards.transport.nsw.gov.au/consultation-standard-specific/?id=TBA%20-%200007013:2025
