Traffic Services Branch

The Traffic Services Branch is responsible and accountable for the development and dissemination of advice on all matters relating to traffic policy, development, enforcement, education and road trauma. Further opportunity exists for developing initiatives to lower road trauma. The Branch organises the NSW Police Force response and advice to all bodies in regards to the development of traffic legislation.

The Traffic Services Branch is responsible for the management of the Corporate Plan, Program 3 - Traffic and is the key contact point for internal and external groups seeking advice on road safety and other traffic related issues.

The Branch also oversights the evaluation of all new technology associated with traffic law enforcement making appropriate recommendations. This includes identifying and deciding upon major acquisitions.

Traffic Services Branch comprises the following five areas:

1. The Command Administration

The Command Administration manages the financial and administrative functions of the Branch and also oversights associated traffic-related capital works projects. Within the Command office is the Transport Policy Unit.

• Transport Policy Unit (TPU) - The TPU consists of a coordinator and an intelligence cell. Its function is to coordinate with the various internal and external transport agencies such as State Rail Authority, and to provide intelligence and analysis to assist in operations. The Unit provides a specific focus on transit related crime.

2. Traffic Support Group (TSG)

The TSG consists of a small task force of police cyclists, with the primary objectives of providing a high standard, safe and reliable VIP escort service for visiting dignitaries, Heads of State and on other occasions as required. The Group provides a high profile and intelligence driven operational support to Region and Local Area Commands to address road safety and crime issues. It is also used as a strike force to target known critical routes during State operations and holiday periods.

3. Traffic Policy Section (TPS)

The TPS formulates State traffic policy and monitors any changes or amendments to legislation. The section participates in the development and implementation of the Australian Road Transport Legislation and has a key role in disseminating it service-wide. The Section interacts with other stakeholders and road safety groups as part of the community consultation process. It formulates policy and standing operating procedures for crash investigation.

Within the Traffic Policy Section are the Traffic Research and Intelligence Cell, the RTA Enhanced Enforcement Program Coordinator, and the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.

• Traffic Research and Intelligence Cell
  The Traffic Research and Intelligence Cell collects and disseminates statistical information about fatal, injury and major collisions on NSW roads, including mapping, and maintains an overview to brief the senior executive.
• RTA Enhanced Enforcement Program Coordinator
  The Coordinator manages the Enhanced Enforcement Program and is the central contact and administrative point between the Service and the RTA Road Safety & Traffic Management Directorate.
  In the 2000 - 2001 financial year, the RTA provided $3.7 million in supplementary funding to provide additional road safety enforcement on NSW roads.
• Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit
  The Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit has offices at Parramatta, Liverpool and Lane Cove. The Crash Investigation Unit is responsible for the investigation of serious traffic crashes on a 24-hour basis in the Sydney metropolitan area.
  

4. Traffic Technology Section (TTS)

This section is responsible for the evaluation of enforcement technology and development of contracts to supply NSW Police Force with suitable equipment. The Section also manages the following units.

• Breath Analysis & Research Unit
  The Breath Analysis & Research Unit is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the State's breath testing program, including the provision and maintenance of all equipment throughout the state.
• Blood Sample Unit
  The Blood Sample Unit is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Police compulsory blood alcohol and drug driving programs.
• Traffic Camera Unit
  The Traffic Camera Unit is responsible for maintaining the operation of the NSW Police Force traffic red light camera program & coordinates the Police vehicle mounted speed camera program.
• Radar Engineering Unit
  The Radar Engineering Unit is a NATA registered laboratory and is responsible for the technical evaluation, acceptance testing, certification, maintenance, servicing and calibration of speed detection and breath analysis equipment.
  

5. Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

The TMC is the primary liaison point between the RTA and NSW Police Force in relation to the daily monitoring of the road network and addresses any traffic management issues that may arise.