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Department of Transport and Main Roads

Event Traffic Marshals

What is the Event Traffic Marshal Scheme?

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is committed to supporting local community and sporting groups by making it easier for them to hold events.

As part of this commitment, Transport and Main Roads has introduced the Event Traffic Marshal (ETM) scheme, an alternative option for traffic control in low speed / low risk environments at sporting and community events. The ETM role allows basic traffic control activities to be delivered by trained volunteers at permitted special events.

Community and sporting organisations often require the assistance of volunteers to allow events to proceed smoothly, and to reduce the cost of staging events. Volunteers traditionally undertake various event tasks such as parking attendance; event set up activities; and pedestrian / spectator control. 

However, prior to the ETM scheme being introduced, volunteers could not provide assistance by legally controlling traffic to facilitate the event, unless they were accredited as traffic controllers by TMR, or acting under the direction of police officers.

The ETM scheme allows appropriately trained volunteers to conduct limited traffic control activities in low speed, low traffic environments at various special events and the ability to support events in a safe way.  It is an alternative option in circumstances where accredited Traffic Controllers may not be required for basic and low risk duties.

To be engaged to control traffic during a Special Event, the ETM must have undertaken a competency assessment and perform their duties in accordance with the Event Traffic Marshal Special Event Approved Procedure. 

An ETM eLearn training program and assessment can be accessed via Accelerate.

The Special Event Traffic Marshal Scheme overview factsheet provides more information about the role.

What does an Event Traffic Marshal do?

See How to become an Event Traffic Marshal at a special event factsheet.
 

How do I become an Event Traffic Marshal?

Before considering becoming an Event Traffic Marshal you must ensure you meet the following compulsory criteria:

You must have a level of situational awareness in complex environments including:   

  • the ability to see approaching vehicles

  • the ability to hear speech in a noisy environment

  • the ability to speak clearly in a noisy environment

  • the ability to comfortably stand continuously for two hours

  • the ability to give directions while holding and operating a STOP / SLOW bat

  • not performing traffic control duties when affected by alcohol or drugs

  • not performing traffic control duties if affected by a substance or medication causing mental or physical fatigue.

To become an Event Traffic Marshal you will need to:

Step 1: Read the Event Traffic Marshal Special Event Approved Procedure (ETM Approved Procedure) and the Event Traffic Marshal eLearn factsheet. 

Step 2: Undertake the ETM eLearn training program and assessment.

Step 3: Present the Certificate of Completion that is generated in Step 2 to the Event Organiser as outlined in the ETM Approved Procedure.

I’m the event organiser, what are my responsibilities when using Event Traffic Marshals (ETMs)?

As an event organiser you have specific responsibilities when working with Event Traffic Marshals for your event.

As the Event Organiser you:

  1. must have all relevant Council, Queensland Police Service, and Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) permits/approvals to conduct the Special Event, including having a Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS) for the event 

  2. must consider the risks and issues associated with using volunteers for traffic control duties, and have appropriate insurance cover to conduct the Special Event.

It is expected that Event Organisers:

  1. are fully conversant with the ETM Approved Procedure

  2. engage a Traffic Management Designer to develop the event Traffic Management Plan, and associated TGS taking into account suitable low risk ETM locations - more information about Traffic Management Designers is available in the Information for Traffic Management Designers factsheet

  3. notify ETM candidates of the need to complete the ETM eLearn Training Program and assessment

  4. complete the ETM eLearn Training Program and assessment themselves

  5. develop an incident response strategy and record keeping system for the event

  6. conduct a pre-event checking process to ensure all ETMs:

    • have confirmed their identity and their proof of competency

    • are properly inducted and fully understand their role

    • have a copy of the TGS, and know who to contact for support during the event

    • have been issued with a signed Notice of Engagement as an ETM and sign on to the Event Organiser's register

    • have, at the event, all equipment needed for ETMs to perform their roles.

 Event Organisers and ETMs have a duty of care, and must be road safety aware at all times.

For more information on managing special events please visit the Traffic Management at Special Events page.

Contact us

If you have a query about Event Traffic Marshals, please email Event_Traffic_Marshals@tmr.qld.gov.au

Useful links:

Last updated 11 November 2022