Optimising Traffic Flow and Safety at Snowy Monaro Regional Council Waste Facilities

Client

Architect

Project Locations Jindabyne Landfill & Cooma Monaro Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Author Nath Chewta, AssociatePrepared by Quantum Traffic Published January 2026 | Last reviewed: January 2026

Overview

Quantum Traffic recently completed specialised traffic engineering works for Snowy Monaro Regional Council, delivering practical, site-tested solutions at both the Jindabyne Landfill and the Cooma Monaro Community Recycling Centre (CRC).

The commission focused on enhancing on-site safety, improving operational efficiency, and optimising the customer experience through the development of detailed, user-centric Traffic Management Plans (TMPs), supported by tailored signage and line marking strategies designed specifically for high-turnover waste facilities.

Services

By applying recognised good-practice principles alongside innovative traffic control techniques, Quantum Traffic developed signage and line marking systems that actively guide customers, rather than relying solely on compliance signage.

1. Detailed Understanding of Point-to-Point Flows
Traffic movements were analysed by destination (Landfill vs CRC) and vehicle type (commercial vs private), as well as by customer expectations at entry, unloading, and exit points.
This enabled the team to:

Mitigate and manage conflict
High-risk interaction points were identified and treated through physical separation of movements, particularly where private vehicles intersected with Council waste vehicles and heavy plant.
Streamline access and queuing
Improved lane discipline and clearer approach guidance reduced incorrect lane entry and queuing inefficiencies near the weighbridge during peak periods.
Optimise operating speeds
Entry and circulation routes were designed to naturally promote slow, safe speeds appropriate for manoeuvring in active waste environments.

2. Communication Through Signage
Signage was designed to provide clear, concise, and timely instruction, reducing hesitation, wrong-way movements, and unnecessary congestion.

Information hierarchy:
A clear hierarchy from large, high-level directional signage at entry points to targeted instructional signs at points of use.
Wayfinding:
Strategic sign placement ensured customers were informed before reaching decision points, reducing sudden braking and unsafe stopping behaviour.
Regulatory compliance:
All signage complied with relevant Australian Standards, including AS1742 and AS2890, while remaining site-specific and operationally focused.

3. Line Marking as Visual Communication
Line marking was used as an active communication tool to reinforce expected driving behaviour and improve spatial clarity.

Lane definition:
Pavement markings clearly defined entry, queuing, and circulation lanes, preventing encroachment into operational areas.
Safety zone delineation:
Hatching and colour-coded markings identified pedestrian crossings, exclusion zones, and no-go areas.
Parking and waiting bays:
Clearly marked CRC bays and short-term waiting areas—particularly upstream of the weighbridge—helped maintain steady vehicle flow and reduce informal stopping.

Outcomes/Benefits

The implemented TMPs and supporting signage and line marking strategies delivered measurable benefits for Snowy Monaro Regional Council, including:

Enhanced Safety
Reduced conflict between vehicle types and pedestrians, creating a safer environment for staff, contractors, and customers.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Clearer circulation and better lane discipline reduced queuing at critical points such as the weighbridge, particularly during peak operating periods.
Improved Customer Experience
Clear instructions and orderly parking reduced confusion and frustration, contributing to quicker service times and more efficient waste and recycling drop-off.

“The updated traffic management and line marking has significantly improved both safety and day-to-day efficiency at our waste facilities, particularly during busy periods.”
— Snowy Monaro Regional Council Representative

These projects demonstrate that effective traffic engineering at specialised facilities extends well beyond regulatory compliance. When informed by real-world operational experience, thoughtful design, and clear communication, traffic and parking solutions can materially improve safety, efficiency, and user outcomes—even in complex, high-risk environments such as waste facilities.

Challenges/Solutions

Waste transfer stations and landfill facilities present highly dynamic traffic environments, characterised by a complex and constantly changing mix of:

Private vehicles
Vehicles with trailers
Commercial waste trucks
Heavy plant and Council vehicles
Pedestrians unfamiliar with site operations

These facilities also operate under the ever-present need to balance safety, space constraints, and budget efficiency, particularly during peak disposal periods.
Drawing on first-hand experience delivering traffic engineering solutions at operational waste facilities, the TMPs required a granular understanding of both formal site operations and informal, real-world user behaviour.

Key considerations included:

Site Operations:
Mapping all functional zones, including weighbridges, landfill and recycling drop-off points, internal circulation routes, and site-specific facilities such as tip shops.
Customer Movement Analysis:
Tracking the full customer journey (private and commercial) from site entry to exit, identifying decision points, queuing behaviour, and sensitive pedestrian interfaces.
Parking Demand:
Assessing short-, medium-, and long-term parking and waiting needs at critical locations (CRC bays, staff parking, weighbridge approaches) to prevent inefficient or unsafe parking behaviours.