Planning roadworks in Australia? This guide covers everything site managers and traffic controllers need to know about hiring portable traffic lights and temporary traffic management equipment, from how the units work to which products suit your speed environment and compliance obligations.
Governed by some of the strictest regulations in the country, temporary traffic management remains the backbone of safety for any Australian roadworks site. Whether you’re managing a lane closure on a main road, controlling single-lane traffic through a work zone, or protecting workers during utility maintenance, getting your traffic control equipment right can mean the difference between a safe site and a potential incident.
This guide covers everything you need to know about portable traffic lights and the broader range of temporary roadworks safety equipment available for hire in Australia, including what to look for, when to use each product, and how to stay compliant with Australian standards
What are portable traffic lights?
Portable traffic lights, also known as temporary traffic signals or mobile traffic lights are a self-contained, trailer-mounted signal systems designed for temporary use at roadworks, construction zones, and other traffic management situations where permanent signals aren’t practical.
Unlike normal traffic lights, portable units are designed to be deployed and relocated quickly. Modern systems are solar-powered, wirelessly synchronised, and can be operated in automatic, manual, or remote-controlled modes depending on the situation.
Key Features to look for
- High-visibility LED signal heads visible in direct sunlight
- Solar power with battery backup for extended operation
- Wireless synchronisation between units
- Adjustable timing for green, amber, and red phases
- Manual override and remote control capability
- Compliance with Australian Standard AS 4/9/1994
- Stable trailer base suitable for uneven ground
- Maximum operational distance apart
Legend Hire’s portable traffic lights operate as a set of two solar-powered trailers with a wireless range of up to 1.6km – suitable for single-lane alternating traffic on roads, bridges, and tunnels.
When do you need portable traffic lights?
Portable traffic signals are required when a roadworks project reduces a two-way road to a single passable lane on Australian roads.
Common applications include:
- Road resurfacing and patching works on two-lane roads
- Bridge and culvert maintenance or replacement
- Utility trenching across carriageways
- Emergency road repairs after storm, flood damage or landslide
- Tree removal or powerline works requiring lane closures
- Construction site access points on active public roads
In many cases, Australian road authorities and traffic management codes of practice require portable traffic signals where a traffic controller (stop/slow bat person) alone is insufficient, particularly on higher-speed roads or where sight lines are limited.
Temporary traffic control equipment for roadworks
Portable traffic lights are just one part of a complete temporary traffic management setup. Depending on your project’s scope, speed environment, and duration, you’ll likely need a combination of the following products.
Variable message sign (VMS) boards
Traffic VMS boards display text and/or graphic messages to alert drivers of upcoming hazards, speed limit changes, lane closures, and detour information. They’re a mandatory part of most Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) on roads in Australia.
- Radar-equipped VMS boards display approaching vehicle speeds, effective for speed reduction in active work zones
- Solar powered with remote content management via app or web portal
- Mounted on a trailer for quick repositioning
- A-size with a 1200 x 800 display area, ideal for low speed zones (~40-60 km/h)
- B-size with a 1600 x 1000 display area, ideal for medium speed zones (~ 60-80 km/h)
- C-size with a 2400 x 1600 display area, ideal for high speed zones (~ 80-110 km/h)
- C-size VMS boards are the most common for highways and freeways, with high visibility requirements
Quick way to think about it
- A = tight spaces / low speed
- B = general purpose
- C = highways / maximum visibility
Road plates
Steel road plates are used to cover open trenches, excavations, and utility cuts across road surfaces when work needs to pause overnight or for short periods. They allow traffic to continue flowing safely over the excavation. Check our our steel road plate rental guide for more info.
- Available in multiple sizes from1220mm to 4000mm length and 1220mm to 1800mm width to suit trench width and traffic loading
- Rated for heavy vehicle loading
- Anti-slip surface treatment for wet conditions
- Chamfered edges reduce the trip hazard for cyclists and pedestrians
Road plates are commonly used alongside portable traffic signals, the signals manage flow while the plates protect the trench between work shifts.
Water-filled barriers and pedestrian barriers
Water-filled barriers provide a flexible, relocatable physical separation between traffic lanes and work zones or pedestrian paths. Unlike concrete barriers, they can be repositioned without heavy lifting equipment once emptied.
Key features of the Lo-Ro Water-Filler Barrier System
- Lo-Ro barrier is rated to TL-2 (70 km/h)
- Dynamic Deflection: 1.8m TL-1 & 3.6m TL-2
- Approved for use by NSW RMS, QLD TMR, VicRoads, Main Roads WA
- Complies with Australian Standards AS/NZS 3845
Key features of the Trafix 2000 Pedestrian Barrier
- Trafix 2000 pedestrian barriers for footpath protection and crowd control
- Uses a interlocking system for continuous runs of any length
- Tested to meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 4766:2006
- Weighs 18kgs empty and when filled – 220kgs
Concrete Crash Barriers (Deltabloc)
For higher-speed environments like freeways, highways or projects requiring a permanent-style barrier solution on a temporary basis, concrete barriers offer maximum protection. Deltabloc precast concrete barriers are the standard choice for motorway workzones, bridge approaches, and high-impact risk zones.
Key features of the Delta Bloc Concrete Barrier
- Designed and crash-tested to MASH TL3 / TL4 standards
- MASH TL3 Compliant means containment of a ~2270 kg pickup truck travelling at 100 km/h and 25 degrees.
- MASH TL4 Compliant meas containment of a 10,000 kg rigid truck travelling at 90 km/h and 15 degrees.
- Available in 2m, 4m and 6m lengths, with a barrier height of 800mm
- Purpose built Anti-gawk screens available to prevent driver distraction in work zones
- Suitable for speeds above 80 km/h where water-filled barriers are insufficient
Soundproof and Acoustic Curtains
Construction noise is a significant compliance issue in suburban workzones, particularly for projects near residential areas, hospitals, or schools. Acoustic soundproof curtains are a practical, hire-based solution for reducing noise impact from machinery, jack-hammering, and other construction activities.
- Achieve significant noise reduction across a broad frequency range – 24dB noise reduction (average)
- Modular panels that attach to hoarding, scaffolding, or barrier systems
- Suitable for overnight works under noise-sensitive conditions
- Compliant with EPA and council noise management requirements
- Curtain Panel size is 2000mm(h) x 1300mm(w), weighting 8kgs each
Lighting Towers
Adequate lighting is a legal requirement for any roadworks conducted after dark or in low-visibility conditions. Lighting towers provide high-output, portable illumination across the work zone and approaching areas.
- LED lighting towers for high-lumen output
- Trailer-mounted for quick repositioning
- Compatible with portable traffic light setups for fully self-contained night works
Quick reference: which product for which situation
Portable Traffic Lights: Single-lane alternating traffic on two-way roads, construction zones, bridge works
VMS Sign Boards: Advance warning of lane closures, speed restrictions, detours on arterial roads
Road Plates: Overnight and extended period trench cover to allow traffic flow over excavations
Water-Filled Barriers: Work zone separation at up to 70 km/h, pedestrian path protection
Concrete Barriers: High-speed environments, motorway work zones, bridge approaches above 80 km/h
Acoustic Curtains: Noise-sensitive urban works, night works near residences or hospitals
Lighting Towers: Night works, low-visibility conditions, dark site access roads
Australian compliance: what you need to know
Traffic management in Australia is governed by a combination of national standards and state-based codes of practice. Key requirements include:
- AS 1742.3 – Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Part 3: Traffic control devices for works on roads. This is the primary reference for signage, device placement, and layout for roadworks in Australia.
- Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) are required for most works on public roads and must be prepared by a qualified Traffic Management Designer (TMD).
- Traffic controllers operating stop/slow bats or managing portable traffic signals must hold a current traffic control certification under their state’s requirements (e.g. RMS-approved in NSW).
- VMS board content and positioning must comply with state road authority guidelines, which vary between NSW, QLD, VIC, and other jurisdictions.
- Portable traffic lights must comply with Australian Standard AS 4/9/1994 – the specification for portable traffic signal systems.
How to hire portable traffic lights and roadworks equipment
Hiring roadworks safety equipment from Legend Hire is straightforward:
- Contact our team – call 1300 890 890 or email legends@legendhire.com.au to discuss your project scope, duration, and location.
- Get a quote – we’ll confirm availability and provide pricing based on your hire period.
- Set up an account – new customers can open a credit account online.
- Delivery and pickup – we deliver to Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne, with same-day availability on many items.
Legend Hire locations: Penrith NSW | Crestmead QLD | Cooroy QLD | Spotswood VIC
Frequently asked questions
The portable traffic lights themselves can be hired without a TMP, but operating them on a public road requires a Traffic Management Plan prepared by a qualified Traffic Management Designer, and the site must be supervised by a certified traffic controller. Your project manager or principal contractor is responsible for having the TMP in place before works commence.
Legend Hire’s portable traffic lights operate wirelessly and can be placed up to 1.6km apart, suitable for most roadworks scenarios including bridge works, tunnel approach roads, and long utility trenches.
Yes. The units are solar powered with battery backup, making them suitable for extended deployments without access to mains power. This also makes them well-suited to rural or remote project locations
Yes, traffic light timing for each phase (red, green, amber) is fully adjustable. Units can operate in automatic mode (fixed timing), manual mode (operator-controlled), or remote-controlled mode for more dynamic traffic management situations.
Ready to Hire?
Legend Hire supplies portable traffic lights, VMS boards, road plates, barriers, acoustic curtains, and the full range of temporary road safety equipment across Sydney, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne.
Call us on 1300 890 890 or enquire online for a fast quote.