Short answers. Each one links to the full article.

## Getting started

### What is Traffic Chart?

A browser app to draw **traffic plans** and **event plans** on a map, share a link, and export a PDF. Nothing to install. Prefer a current desktop Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. [Welcome — how Traffic Chart works](/hc/test/articles/welcome-and-how-it-works).

### Traffic plan or event plan?

**Traffic Plan** — public roads: closures, detours, temporary signs, materials lists, post orders. The sign catalogue follows **Country**.

**Event Plan** — the site itself: stages, tents, fencing, zones, walking routes. Event plans do not use the traffic-sign catalogue and do not spend traffic-sign credits.

A festival in a park with road closures on the approach is a classic pair: event plan for the field, traffic plan for the public road. [Your first plans](/hc/test/articles/your-first-plans).

### Personal workspace or organization?

You always have **Personal** (**My traffic plans**). An **organization** is a separate team workspace you join by invitation — there is no **Create organization** button. Its library is the organization name plus the plan type, for example **Acme Events traffic plans**.

Plans belong to the workspace you were in when you created them. Switch with **Switch workspace** in the account menu (your initials and first name). [Organizations and members](/hc/test/articles/organizations-and-members).

### Home vs Plans?

**Home** starts a new plan and shows **Continue with a previous plan** — recent items for the **current** workspace only.

**Plans** is the full library for that workspace. The old “dashboard” is **Plans**.

If a plan “vanished”, switch workspace, then open **Plans**. Use the **Traffic plans** / **Event plans** tabs. [Find your way around](/hc/test/articles/find-your-way) and [My plan does not appear in the list](/hc/test/articles/plan-not-in-list).

### How do folders work?

On **Plans**, **New folder**. Name it, pick **Location**, **Save**. Success: **Folder created**. Search with **Search plans or folders**. Empty: **No items found.** Move a plan with **Move to folder** (**Destination**, or **No folder**). You cannot delete a folder that still has items: **Cannot delete folder while it still contains items.** [Folders, search, and the plans library](/hc/test/articles/folders-and-the-library).

### Where is help inside the app?

In the editor sidebar: **Help** (**Watch tutorial video**, **Browse the FAQ**, **Email support**, **Report bug**) and a separate **Report bug** row. **How to?** is the four-minute video; it is hidden on a share / read-only view. **Home** footer: **Customer support**, **FAQ**, **How-to**, **Status**. [Help inside the app](/hc/test/articles/in-app-help).

## Billing and checkout

### Are event plans free?

Event plans do not use traffic-sign credits. The workspace still needs Event plans turned on. If the **Event plans** tab says **Not enabled for Personal.** (or **Not enabled for Acme Events.**), ask an administrator.

### How many free traffic signs do I get?

Outside participating municipalities, unpaid traffic plans allow a limited number of signs that count (currently **5**). Inside a participating municipality, eligible personal accounts can place unlimited signs without paying for that placement. Full rules: [Billing, free use, and credits](/hc/test/articles/billing-free-use-and-credits).

### What does paying unlock?

Unlimited signs on **that** traffic plan. Not **Bulk signs**, **XL**, **Materials Excel**, **Displace sign stack**, or **PDF preview**. Those are account permissions. [Feature not available for my account](/hc/test/articles/feature-not-available).

### Where is the price?

In the app at checkout only — the payment dialog and Stripe. Amounts can depend on country and currency. Do not rely on old website copy.

### Personal checkout or organization billing?

They are different tills.

**Personal:** when placement is blocked you **Spend credit**, or choose billing country and **Billing postal / ZIP code**, then **Pay now**. Stripe unlocks **that** plan (often a **Paid** badge).

**Organization:** credits in the dialog are the **workspace pool**. Members spend credits that are already there. They cannot buy packages: **Only an organization owner, administrator, or billing account holder can purchase credits. Ask them to add credits to this workspace.** An owner who is not the **assigned editor** cannot check out on a colleague’s plan. Reassign the editor, or pay from a plan they can edit.

When native organization billing is on, Owners and Administrators open **Billing** (**Billing and credits**), save **Billing identity**, then **Choose a package** and **Continue to checkout**. Members do not see that page. [Billing, free use, and credits](/hc/test/articles/billing-free-use-and-credits) and [Organization billing](/hc/test/articles/organization-billing).

### I paid but nothing changed

Do **not** pay twice. Stay on **Payment status**. [Payment succeeded but plan not unlocked](/hc/test/articles/payment-succeeded-plan-not-unlocked).

### What is the Payment status page?

After Stripe you land on **Payment status**. **Confirming your payment** means wait. **Payment successful** → **Open traffic plan**. **Payment received, confirmation pending** — do not pay again. **Payment failed** → **Return and try again**. [Payment status after checkout](/hc/test/articles/payment-status-after-checkout).

### Why is Excel a Pro feature?

**Download Excel** / **Materials Excel** shows a **Pro** badge and **This is a pro feature.** You also need a saved, logged-in plan (**Log in and save the plan before exporting Excel.**) and an export map (**Create an export map first.**). Paying for unlimited signs on one plan does not unlock Excel. The **Materials list** PDF still works when offered. [Export and print traffic plans](/hc/test/articles/export-and-print).

## Access, sharing, and invitations

### Why can I open a plan but not edit it?

In an organization, seeing is not editing. Everyone with access can **Open** the plan. Only the **assigned editor** can change, duplicate, or delete it. The row can read **Editor: Sam Rivera**. Everyone else gets **Plan is read-only**. Owners and administrators use **Assign editor**. If the editor’s membership is suspended, nobody can edit until someone reassigns it.

A **share link** is always read-only. Review can lock the header. [I can’t open or edit a plan](/hc/test/articles/cannot-edit-plan).

### Move or Copy to an organization?

From **Personal**, **Move to organization**. Dialog: **Move “Demo traffic plan” to an organization**. **How should it go?** **Move** (recommended) leaves **Personal**, keeps the same public link. **Copy** keeps Personal and gives **Acme Events** a separate plan with a new link. Success: **Plan moved to Acme Events** / **Plan copied to Acme Events**. Under review: **Under review — move unavailable** (copy still allowed). [Move, copy, and assign an editor](/hc/test/articles/move-copy-and-assign-editor).

### Who can open my share link?

Anyone with the full URL can view it **read-only**, without an account. **Copy link** on **Plans**, or **Export** → **Sharable link** (**RECOMMENDED**). It stays current after you **Save**. Viewers can pan and zoom. They cannot place signs, open **How to?**, or save.

Treat the URL like a document you would email. Do not post it on public social media. If it spread too widely, email [customer@traffic-chart.com](mailto:customer@traffic-chart.com). [Create, organise, and share traffic plans](/hc/test/articles/create-organise-and-share).

### I cannot accept an organization invitation

Use **the invited email**. The page title is **Join Acme Events**. If you are on the wrong login: **Use the invited account**. If the mailbox is not confirmed: **Verify your email address**. Expired, revoked, or already-used links say **This invitation is Expired** (or **Revoked** / **Accepted**) — ask an owner to **Resend**. **Invitation declined** needs a new **Invite member**. **Organization unavailable** means the workspace is not active.

**Accept invitation** does not switch workspace. Open **Switch workspace** afterwards. [I cannot accept an organization invitation](/hc/test/articles/organization-invite-problems).

### Why does Switch workspace say Workspace not enabled yet?

Grey rows can read **Workspace not enabled yet**, **Organization unavailable**, **Organization suspended**, **Your membership is suspended**, or **This workspace is not currently available.** You cannot open that library until Traffic Chart or an owner reactivates it. [Workspace unavailable or not enabled](/hc/test/articles/workspace-unavailable).

### What is Activity?

On **Members & access**, **Activity** is **A plain-language history of changes in this workspace.** Example: **Sam Rivera invited Alex de Vries as Member.** Empty: **No activity yet**. Filters: **Search activity…**, **All activity**, **People & access**, **Plans**, **Folders**, **Organization**. [Organization activity](/hc/test/articles/organization-activity).

## Review

### Who starts municipal review?

You cannot start the first in-app review yourself. The municipality typically opens that session with **Start review session**. The app can say **Initial review requests are currently started by the municipality. Submit your plan through the municipality procedure first.** After **Changes requested**, you may resubmit when the UI allows. Many municipalities only want a share link or PDF. [Review for organisers](/hc/test/articles/review-for-organisers).

### Does **Approved** mean a legal permit?

No. In-app **Approved** is not always a full legal event permit. Extra steps may sit outside the app. The drawing stays locked: **This plan is locked because it has been approved**.

### Can I edit while under review?

Usually not. **Comments** shows **In review by municipality**. Wait until **Changes requested**, then edit the **same** plan. You cannot **Move** a Personal plan under review into an organization (**Under review — move unavailable**). [My plan is locked for review](/hc/test/articles/plan-locked-for-review).

### Event objects or areas — which one routes review?

In-app review attaches an **event plan** using **placed event objects only**. **Areas**, **Lines & Routes**, and **Add text** do not count. If **Comments** says **Place event objects to start a review**, click **Place event objects** and put at least one object on the real site. Zones and labels still help the drawing; they do not pick the municipality. [Event plans handbook](/hc/test/articles/event-plans-handbook).

### Comments or Add text?

**Comments** is review: municipality messages, **Pin** / **Arrow** / **Rectangle**, **Save comment**. **Add text** is a map note in the sketch stack (or the event **Aa** tool). It is not a review remark and it does not start a dossier. [Comments, review status, and map notes](/hc/test/articles/comments-and-review-status) and [Drawing and measuring](/hc/test/articles/drawing-and-measuring).

## Signs, layers, and drawing

### How do I place a traffic sign?

Open **Traffic Objects** → **Signs**, search or pick from the catalogue, click the map. [Working with signs](/hc/test/articles/working-with-signs). If placement stops, [I can’t place more signs](/hc/test/articles/cannot-place-more-signs).

### What is a combination sign?

A **Combination sign** is a template board: header, text, icons, **Size**, and **Colour preset**. Pick it from **Signs**, place it, open **Details** → **Edit sign**. Set **Name** — **This is how it appears on the material list.** Fix **Check the sign** errors before **Save**. Share viewers see the finished board, not the editor. [Combination signs](/hc/test/articles/combination-signs).

### How do I request a missing sign?

At the bottom of **Signs**, **Request Item (24h)**. Describe the code, country, and what you need. Continue with the closest plate if the works cannot wait. [Request a missing sign or object](/hc/test/articles/request-a-missing-item).

### What are bulk signs?

**Bulk signs** repeats one plate along a drawn line. Organization accounts only. Personal accounts still see the tool: **Pro feature** and **You need an organization account to use bulk sign placement.** **Connected** sits plates flush; **Separated** sits them every **Distance** metres. Paying for unlimited signs on one plan does not turn it on. [Advanced sign placement](/hc/test/articles/advanced-sign-placement).

### Does Auto-save run by itself?

Yes, when **Auto-save** is on. Hover for **Auto-save: saving**, **Auto-save: unsaved changes**, or **Auto-save: saved**. Manual **Save** is disabled while **auto-save is enabled**. Toggle toasts: **Auto-save enabled** / **Auto-save disabled**. [Title, dates, Paid, and Auto-save](/hc/test/articles/auto-save-title-and-dates).

### What does Scale: do?

**Scale:** (bottom right, default **1.0**) sizes signs and sketches on the map. Lower values shrink objects for **Detail** PDFs. Confirming can reset **Detail** rectangles: **Confirm scale change**. **Scale cannot be changed while PDF preview is on.** [Search address, zoom, and Scale](/hc/test/articles/search-address-zoom-and-scale).

### What is Melvin?

Optional Dutch roadworks overlay. It needs both plan dates (**Fill in a date to use this option**) and a Netherlands location. [Melvin or map layers not showing](/hc/test/articles/melvin-layers-not-showing).

### What are BGT objects?

Netherlands-only context in **Select map**. Tick **BGT objects**, then **Configure BGT objects**. Zoom in if you see **Zoom in further to show BGT objects.** **Fire hydrants (BGT)** has its own zoom warning. **BGT does not specify whether a container is underground.** Your placed signs remain the plan of record. [Map layers and Melvin](/hc/test/articles/map-layers-and-melvin).

### What is GRB (Flanders)?

A Flanders reference **basemap** in **Select map**, for Belgian plans. It is not a Dutch overlay and it is not nationwide. If **GRB (Flanders)** is missing, the plan **Country** is probably not Belgium. Empty coverage is often location, not a defect.

### Event hydrants and NDW?

On an **Event Plan**, **Select map** can offer **NDW Signs**, **Fire hydrants (BGT)**, and **TopoRD (Netherlands only)**. Zoom in for hydrants: **Zoom in further to display fire hydrants.** Those layers are context, not your event objects. [Event map layers and hydrants](/hc/test/articles/event-map-layers).

### The map will not load

Wait until **Opening Map Environment...** is gone and tiles are visible. A white map, an old browser, an ad blocker, or GPU / hardware acceleration off are the usual causes. [Map will not load or stays blank](/hc/test/articles/map-will-not-load).

## Export

### Share link or PDF?

Prefer **Sharable link** when the other party can open a browser (**Accepted by most municipalities**). Use **Export files** / PDF when a file is required (**Only recommended when a municipality or 3rd party explicitly asks for this.**). You need an **export map** (traffic) or **export area** (event). [Export and print traffic plans](/hc/test/articles/export-and-print). Failures: [Export fails or is blank](/hc/test/articles/export-fails).

### What is PDF preview?

**PDF preview** (**Off** / **On**) shows paper-relative sizing while you edit. It appears when your account can use **XL** maps. Turn it **On**, **Draw preview map** if needed, then **Lock preview map** before selecting some objects. **Scale cannot be changed while PDF preview is on.** Preview is not a substitute for the downloaded PDF. Without Pro: **XL maps require a PRO account.** [PDF preview](/hc/test/articles/pdf-preview).

## Account

### How do I verify email or reset a password?

[Set up your account and find help](/hc/test/articles/account-setup-and-help). Problems: [Email verification and login problems](/hc/test/articles/email-verification-login). 2FA and passkeys: [Manage your account](/hc/test/articles/manage-your-account).

## Contact

Email [customer@traffic-chart.com](mailto:customer@traffic-chart.com). Include workspace name, plan URL, screenshot, and browser: [Contact support](/hc/test/articles/contact-support).