Traffic control devices manual
The planned structure of the Traffic control devices manual comprises 15 documents (3 specifications, 10 parts, a glossary and a list of references) and is shown in the table below.
Each part will be developed under the guidance of a working group of practitioners experienced in, and having specific knowledge about, the subject. The practitioners will also be representative of the intended users of the documents. Interested practitioners and affected organisations will be given the opportunity to comment on drafts and have their input incorporated appropriately in the final document.
The Traffic control devices manual will be published electronically only.
The following table shows the complete list of parts of the manual. These will be added to this website as soon as they become available.
We are currently rebuilding this section of the site. For all Sign Specification enquiries please contact us
Detailed descriptions of traffic signs, including dimensions, colour and layout
| Part | Title | Status | Latest version |
|---|---|---|---|
Detailed descriptions of traffic signs, including dimensions, colour and layout | Published | ||
| Traffic signal specifications | Planned 2011 | ||
| Marking specifications | Under consideration | ||
| 1 | General requirements for signs | Published (PDF, 1.58MB) | Version 1 Oct 2010 |
| 2 | Direction, service and general guidance signs | Published (PDF, 2.77MB) | Version 1 Jan 2011 |
| 3 | Advertising signs | Published (PDF, 981KB) | Version 1 Jan 2011 |
| 4 | Traffic control devices for general use - at intersections | Planned 2012 | |
| 5 | Traffic control devices for general use - between intersections | Planned 2012 | |
| 6 | Speed management | 2013 | |
| 7 | (see part 13) | ||
| 8 | Code of practice for temporary traffic management | Published as COPTTM | |
| 9 | Level crossings
| Published | Version 2 December 2012 |
| 10 | Motorways and expressways | Published as MOTSAM part III | |
| 13 | Parking control
| Published (will be renumbered to Part 7 in next version in 2011) | Version 1 December 2007 |
| 14 | Templates and designs | Updated August 2015 | |
| Definitions Glossary of terms used throughout the TCD manual | Published | Updated December 2008 | |
| References All documents references throughout the TCD manual | Published | Updated December 2008 |
Changes to proposed contents
The proposed contents of this manual have been reviewed in light of the time it is taking to complete all parts of the manual and the cost of producing each part. Several other guidance documents covering various TCD areas have been produced in New Zealand in recent years. This issue was considered at the December 2009 meeting of the TCD steering group and a revised composition to the manual with fewer parts was agreed to:
- The initially proposed Part 4 General requirements for markings will now be covered in the Marking specifications (for technical details) and in the two Traffic control devices for general use parts (Parts 4 and 5).
- The initially proposed Part 5 Traffic signals will now be covered in the Traffic signal specifications (for technical details) and in the two Traffic control devices for general use parts (Parts 4 and 5).
- The initially proposed Part 6 Traffic control devices for general use - at intersections will be expanded in scope to include markings and traffic signals and will be renumbered to be Part 4.
- The initially proposed Part 7 Traffic control devices for general use - between intersections will be expanded in scope to include markings and special vehicle lanes and will be renumbered to be Part 5.
- The initially proposed Part 11 Local area traffic management , and Part 12 Speed will be combined into Part 6 Speed management .
- Part 13 Parking control will be renumbered to be Part 7 when it is republished.
- The initially proposed Part 14 Bus and transit lanes , Part 15 Cycles , Part 16 Pedestrians and Part 17 Heavy motor vehicles will be incorporated into Part 4 Traffic control devices for general use - at intersections and Part 5 Traffic control devices for general use - between intersections . The need for separate parts to cover these topics will be reviewed after the publication of Parts 4 and 5. Recently published guide documents covering these topics could also be reviewed.
Relationships with other documents
The Traffic control devices manual will support and reference:
- New Zealand legislation and, in particular, the Land Transport Act 1998 and rules made pursuant to that act, including the Land Transport (Road User) Rule, the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices and the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits
- general polices contained in Austroads Guides (in particular, the Guides to Traffic Management, Traffic Design and Road Safety) [under preparation in 2007/08] by providing detailed guidance to meet specific requirements of New Zealand law and practices
- New Zealand and, as appropriate, Australian standards
- codes of practice, guidelines and published standards of various authorities.
Each part will attempt to provide a broad coverage of the subject but avoid duplicating major elements of referenced documents, preferring to direct readers to the source.
The Traffic control devices manual will, on completion, replace the joint Transit New Zealand and Land Transport NZ publication Manual of traffic signs and markings (MOTSAM). However MOTSAM Part 1 Traffic signs and Part II Markings will continue to be available until their contents have been replaced. Recently approved traffic signs are notified in Traffic notes until these signs have been incorporated into the appropriate part of the TCD manual.