Temporary Traffic Management Corflute Signs, What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly on Site

Temporary Traffic Management corflute signs are lightweight, weather-resistant signs made from corrugated plastic. They are used to guide and inform road users during roadworks, events, or temporary situations, offering clear, high-visibility instructions

Temporary Traffic Management Corflute Signs, What They Are and How to Use Them Correctly on Site

Temporary traffic management corflute signs are one of the most common tools used on Australian roadwork sites, yet they are often misunderstood or applied inconsistently. For traffic controllers, civil contractors and councils, knowing when and how to use corflute signage makes a real difference to safety, compliance and how smoothly a job runs. This article explains what TTM corflute signs are, how they should be used, and the practical considerations crews face on Victorian sites every day.

What are Temporary Traffic Management Corflute Signs?

Corflute signs, sometimes called temporary plastic TTM panels, are lightweight, corrugated polypropylene signs covered with a pressure-sensitive reflective sheeting such as Class 1W. They are designed for short-term works, quick setups and situations where rapid deployment matters more than long-term durability. Because corflute is light, affordable and easy to print in bulk, it remains the preferred option across Victoria for lane closures, shoulder works, footpath detours and maintenance tasks where conditions change day to day.

How to Use TTM Corflute Signs Correctly on Site

Good use of temporary traffic management signs starts with understanding where they fit within AS 1742.3 and how drivers interpret them. Corflute signs are only as effective as the way they are positioned, mounted and maintained throughout the shift.

  • Mount them securely in the correct frame so the message sits at the required height. Corflute panels are typically used with a multi-message frame, temporary steel stanchion or bollard-mounted insert. A loose or sagging panel reduces visibility and increases risk in windy conditions.
  • Keep reflective sheeting facing direct vehicle approach. Corflute is flexible and can bow slightly, so make sure the face is flat and angled correctly for night visibility.
  • Replace damaged or dirty panels immediately. Corflute dents, creases and dirt reduce legibility, which is a problem once headlights hit the sign at speed. This is the biggest reason contractors carry multiple spare panels on each truck.

Why Corflute Signs Work Well for Temporary Traffic Management

These signs are built for short-term works where conditions change quickly and crews need to move fast. They are light enough for one person to handle and cheap enough to replace as needed. Compared with aluminium regulatory signs, corflute excels in pop-up jobs like shoulder grading, patching, vegetation works or water authority maintenance where the setup may only last a few hours.

A Real-World Example from a Victorian Roadwork Crew

Picture a water authority crew in Melbourne repairing a burst main on a suburban arterial. They need a quick lane closure with a traffic controller stationed at either end. The supervisor pulls out a set of corflute panels from the vehicle’s racking cage, selects the correct messages for their multi-message frames and has the setup ready in minutes.

As the job progresses and they extend the excavation, they simply swap the panels to updated messages such as WORKERS AHEAD or MERGE RIGHT. If the wind picks up, they add sandbags or leg extensions to stabilise the frame. This is exactly where corflute shines, fast, flexible and easily replaced if damaged.

Choosing the Right Temporary Traffic Control Equipment

Picking the right corflute signs comes down to message accuracy, reflective quality and frame compatibility. Contractors who work with UAG Services often standardise their multi-message frames and corflute panel sets so every vehicle carries an identical, compliant layout. This reduces confusion on site and speeds up every setup.

UAG supplies corflute signs in all standard sizes, along with multi-message frames, bollards and vehicle-mounted racking systems designed to store the panels securely. For crews wanting a cleaner and more organised vehicle layout, UAG can also assist with complete traffic management vehicle fit outs and sign storage solutions.

Corflute Signs vs Aluminium Signs, When to Use Each

Corflute is not a replacement for permanent aluminium regulatory signs. Aluminium signs are required when an instruction must remain in place for days or weeks, or where durability is critical. Corflute is ideal when the site is temporary, short duration or crew-driven, and when messages may need to change during the shift.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Temporary Signs

Even experienced teams slip into bad habits. The usual issues include using the wrong message, placing signs too close together, not matching the sign spacing to the posted speed, or using worn-out corflute panels with faded reflective surfaces. These mistakes reduce driver response time and increase everyone’s exposure to risk.

Summary and Practical Takeaways

  • Use corflute signs for short-term, flexible and fast-changing work zones.
  • Mount panels in the correct frame and keep reflective surfaces clean and flat.
  • Standardise your signage setup to save time and reduce confusion on site.
  • Replace damaged corflute quickly, it is cheap insurance for better compliance and visibility.
  • For organised storage and compliant equipment, UAG Services can supply signs, frames and full vehicle fit outs.