The Right MoA With the Wrong Impact Is Still Non-Compliant
Having the right permit does not automatically mean the work is compliant.
In traffic management, a Memorandum of Authorisation (MoA) provides authorisation for specified temporary traffic management activities on the road network. Within that authorisation, the approved Impact sets out the details of what can actually happen, including the closure type, lane configuration, signal modifications, and permitted days and times.
Both matter.
A MoA can be valid for the job, but if the wrong Impact is activated, the work being carried out may not match what has been approved. From the roadside, everything might look correct. The signs are in place, the cones are out, and the crew is working as planned. However, the required authorisation and the actual site arrangement may not line up.
For Traffic Management Implementers (TMIs), Supervisors and crews responsible for these checks, understanding this difference is an important part of keeping work compliant.
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Three Checks Before Work Starts
Before activating an MoA, take the time to confirm three things.
1. Does the Impact Match the Work?
Check the approved Impact against the work that will actually take place. This includes the type of closure, lanes affected, any signal modifications, and the approved operating days and times.
Do not assume an Impact is suitable simply because it belongs to the correct MoA or was used on a previous shift.
The details need to match the work being undertaken.
2. Are the Times Correct?
An Impact approved for a specific time window does not automatically cover work outside that window.
For example, if an Impact is approved for 9 am to 3 pm, it does not authorise a 7 am start unless the appropriate approval allows it.
Check the permitted activation and deactivation times before work begins. If the planned work falls outside the approved conditions, raise it with the appropriate person before proceeding.
3. Has the Impact Been Activated Before Setup?
Where MoA activation is required, it must be completed before the first traffic control device is placed on the road.
Do not leave activation until the taper is installed or the crew is already working.
Confirm that the correct MoA and Impact have been selected and that activation has been successfully completed through the required process.
Getting the MoA right but selecting the wrong Impact can still leave the work non-compliant.
Why Correct Activation Matters
Activation is more than an administrative step. It helps communicate the approved road impacts to the relevant road network operator and supports the coordination of temporary traffic arrangements.
Depending on the approved Impact, this can affect traffic signal operation, road closure information on VicTraffic, and information shared with mapping and navigation services.
If the wrong Impact is activated, or the required activation is missed, the information available to network operators and road users may not accurately reflect what is happening on the road.
This can create problems beyond the immediate worksite.
Drivers may receive incorrect information about a closure, traffic signals may not operate according to the intended arrangements, and emergency services or other road users may be working with an inaccurate picture of the network.
Correct activation helps ensure the approved arrangement, the actual worksite and the information provided to the wider network remain aligned.
How to Check the MoA and Impact
The process starts with the documents attached to the job.
Open the MoA and check that you have all the relevant documentation. Depending on the job, this may include an extension, a combined MoA and Traffic Guidance Scheme (TGS), or other supporting documents.
Next, identify the TGS that applies to the work and compare it with the Traffic Guidance Scheme reference listed in the permit. Check the relevant Impact details, including the TMI Impact number, and confirm that they match the planned site arrangement.
Pay particular attention to the colour of the Impact Details block, as this indicates the activation method described in the permit.
Blue Impact Details: Activation and deactivation through the Road Access Permits Portal.
Yellow Impact Details: Activation and deactivation by contacting the Transport Operations Centre.
Always follow the method specified in the current permit and applicable process. Do not assume every Impact is activated in the same way.
Once the activation has been completed, confirm that it has gone through successfully before proceeding.
Deactivation Is Just as Important
Activation gets attention because it happens before the work begins. Deactivation can be easier to overlook when the job is finished, equipment is packed away and the crew is ready to leave.
But the responsibility does not end when the road is physically clear.
If an Impact remains active after the work has finished, the network may continue to show a closure or other restriction that no longer exists. Depending on the arrangement, traffic signals may also remain affected when they should have returned to their normal operation.
This can cause confusion for drivers and create unnecessary disruption.
Once the work is complete, deactivate the Impact using the required method and within the applicable approved conditions. Confirm that deactivation has been completed successfully.
The road needs to be returned to its required condition, and the associated permit record needs to reflect that the work has finished.
What If Something Doesn't Match?
Sometimes the documents, approved Impact and actual site conditions will not line up as expected.
If the Impact does not describe the work being undertaken, the permitted times do not cover the planned activity, or activation cannot be confirmed, do not simply proceed and hope the issue can be sorted out later.
Raise the concern with your TMI or Supervisor so it can be reviewed and the appropriate action taken. Any required changes or approvals must be addressed through the correct process before proceeding.
Taking a few minutes to resolve a discrepancy is far better than discovering it during an audit or after the work has started.
Final Thoughts
A valid MoA is only one part of compliant traffic management. The selected Impact must match the approved work, the activation method must follow the permit requirements, and the activation and deactivation need to happen at the correct times.
For everyone involved in planning, implementing and supervising traffic management, checking these details before the first device goes out helps prevent avoidable compliance issues and keeps the road network accurately informed.
The permit authorises the work. The Impact defines the approved arrangement. Activation and deactivation connect that approval to what happens on the road.
Make sure all three line up, every time.
FAQs
What is the difference between an MoA and an Impact?
The Memorandum of Authorisation provides authorisation for specified traffic management activities, while the Impact identifies the particular approved road arrangements, restrictions and operating times.
Can work be non-compliant if the MoA is valid?
Yes. If the activated Impact does not match the work being carried out, or the work falls outside the approved conditions, having a valid MoA does not by itself make the activity compliant.
When should an MoA Impact be activated?
Where activation is required, it should be completed and confirmed through the specified process before traffic control devices are placed on the road.
How do I know which activation method to use?
Check the Impact Details block and follow the method specified in the current permit. Blue indicates the Road Access Permits Portal, while yellow indicates contacting the Transport Operations Centre, as described in this safety reminder.
Why is deactivation important?
Deactivation updates the network record when the approved road impact has ended. Leaving an Impact active can result in outdated closure information and potentially unnecessary traffic or signal restrictions.
What should I do if the Impact does not match the work?
Raise the issue with your TMI or Supervisor. Have the discrepancy reviewed and ensure any required approvals or changes are addressed before proceeding.