To manage traffic effectively when filming on location, it is important to have a strategic plan and assessment in place. Trackway should be the first piece of equipment to enter site and the last to leave. This is imperative when the location shooting is in a non-built-up area, such as a rural countryside location. Traffic, equipment and crew all need to be able to enter, navigate and leave site safely.
Film and TV sets, on location, must go through several areas of approval and multiple risk assessments. Permission from the land owner, local council, business and or resident approval is often required. Multiple permissions are often needed in a residential built-up area, town or city centre location. This is where disruption and diversions are most likely. Additionally, depending on the content and nature of the film, local authorities and police approval may be essential too.
Managing traffic is very difficult in town and city centre locations. Footfall becomes heavy as onlookers tend to congregate. Traffic can also build as drivers try to view the scene whilst driving past. However, in rural, non-built-up areas with no roads, footpaths, unlevel grounds, mud, rocky terrain and marshland both foot and vehicle traffic can also be equally difficult to manage.
It is a common misconception that the largest amount of vehicle accidents happen on motorways, dual carriageways and national speed limit roads, where vehicles are travelling at high speeds, but this is untrue. “Two thirds of collisions in which people are killed or seriously and slightly injured happen on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or less.” – (ROSPA, 2024)
When driving at lower speeds particularly in and around film locations where speed limits might be as low as 5pm, less care and attention may be taken because it doesn’t feel like a particularly dangerous activity.
According to Arco, 2024, “Vehicles on work premises continue to cause serious and fatal injuries. Every year there are over 2,500 RIDDOR incidents involving transport in the workplace and being struck by a vehicle is one of the most common causes of fatal workplace accidents.”
Huge factors which contribute towards this are vehicles tipping and skidding on poor ground conditions. Other contributing factors are unclear pedestrian walking areas and crossings. All these risks can be prevented with proper ground protection solutions like ours.
The best way to work this out is with the help of Google Maps, look at the selected location then work out the distance to the nearest public road and parking spaces. Consider that, even with good ground conditions, trackway will still likely be needed from the exit of the road to your set to protect the land and create vehicle and pedestrian safety.
Is there a designated, high and wide entrance with a stable road to the filming location? If not then access may be restricted. In countryside locations where there are bridges and narrow country lanes, a temporary road workaround may be needed to haul all equipment and trailers onto the set. Also, if filming is taking place in winter, poor weather conditions will greatly influence the need for temporary access roads.
As mentioned earlier in this insight, there are several different assessments required when filming on location, not only by the landowner and council but also by the British Film Council, each third party on-site, equipment insurers and of course us, as the trackway provider will carry out our RAMS risk assessment.
Signage compliments the safety of our trackway systems very well. Signage can include 5MPH speed reminders, danger and warning signs near the base of lighting towers where there are high voltages of electricity and risks of fire. Also to highlight pathways to entrances, exits and amenities which will create smoother navigation around the set for everyone.
UK films can have hundreds of crew members. Many will be walking around in costumes or carrying heavy and expensive pieces of equipment. Pathways must be level, clearly marked, non-slippy, obstruction-free and stable. We are experienced in working on sets and construction sites which contain lighting towers, meaning we are able to advise and put extra safety provisions in place with our ground protection solutions.
Access to and from the site needs to be made as easy as possible for third-party staff, crew, visitors and also emergency services. By using our strongest heavy duty track mats available you can further enable safety. For example, in an emergency situation, an ambulance wheel stuck in mud could be fatal. Entrances and exits are important areas which need to be flat, sturdy, easy to access and may require access for wheelchairs or stretchers.
These are specialist (and potentially very dangerous!) pieces of equipment. Ground protection is needed to support and anchor down lighting towers but additionally, our HDPE matting can be used underneath LED tower lights as opposed to aluminium. UV-resistant plastics like HDPE, offer many advantages over other types of plastics, such as their resistance to heat, cold, or chemicals. We have a separate insight dedicated to this, which you can read more about, here.(LINK)
There are lots of positive safety benefits from using our trackway and working with a trusted, experienced brand like ours. Location shoots can be extend from a single day to months on end, that’s why we offer both short-term and long term hire.
Over the years we have worked with lots of clients whilst they have been location shooting. Here are some examples of film, TV and production sets we have effectively worked on with happy clients:
We’ve worked on many films and TV productions, from large set-down areas for trucks and trailers, to access roads and even landing pads for large cranes and lighting towers.
Our trackways help to minimise environmental impact and preserve green space. They do this by weight distribution of heavy vehicles and equipment. This lessens soil erosion, and allows grass and vegetation to breathe and receive water.
Our ground protection mats are made from recycled HDPE and Aluminium. They allow habitats around the set to flourish and go undisrupted by production. Although we can only help with trackway and ground support, it’s a big step to making a more sustainable film production.
Access roads contribute to a positive set experience. Our trackway mats act as clear markers, defined areas, and limit mud so vehicles can enter and leave set easily and safely. By making the set accessible it leaves crew happier and able to complete their job without any restrictions.
We also find that our mats help the set look more professional and organised. Poor organisation around the site of the set may lead to a negative traffic management experience for the crew and actors.
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