RoadWatch: Roundup

August 2026

Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for August. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.

National road design guidance strengthened to improve consistency and support better transport outcomes

Road design practitioners across Australia and New Zealand now have access to a series of important updates that improve consistency across key road design guidance, address identified gaps and inconsistencies, and provide clearer direction on speed-related terminology.

The updates apply to Parts 1, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 6A, 6B and 7 of the Austroads Guide to Road Design, one of the most widely used technical resources for road agencies, local governments, consultants and transport practitioners.

The changes are designed to make guidance easier to apply in practice, support more consistent decision-making across jurisdictions, and ensure road design advice reflects current industry expectations and approaches.

Read more | Access the updated Guide to Road Design parts

Updated guidance helps road agencies put Safe System principles into practice

Road authorities, local governments and road safety practitioners will be better equipped to plan safer speeds and strengthen road safety leadership through updates to two key parts of the Austroads Guide to Road Safety.

New editions of the Guide to Road Safety Part 3: Safe Speed Management and the Guide to Road Safety Part 7: Road Safety Strategy and Management translate the latest evidence into practical guidance that supports better decision-making, stronger governance and improved road safety outcomes across Australia and New Zealand.

Download the updated parts and accompanying research report:

• Guide to Road Safety Part 3: Safe Speed Management (AGRS03-26)
• Guide to Road Safety Part 7: Road Safety Strategy and Management (AGRS07-26)
• AP-T385-25 Review of Speed Management Evidence and Guidance

Read more

Austroads study puts urban freight in sharper focus

Urban freight keeps cities moving, supporting everything from retail and construction to home deliveries. A new Austroads study highlights the growing pressures on urban freight networks and provides practical guidance to help transport agencies make better-informed decisions.

The study found a need for clearer definitions, better data and more targeted approaches to understanding freight activity in urban areas.

To support this, the report presents an Urban Freight Evaluation Framework that helps agencies collect and use the right data to assess freight needs, identify pressure points and evaluate potential solutions. The framework aims to support more efficient freight movement while balancing the needs of businesses, communities and urban transport networks.

Read more | Download Urban Freight Scoping Study

New specifications support safer, more durable infrastructure

Austroads has released three updated technical specifications and one new specification to support the design, construction and maintenance of road and bridge infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand.

The releases cover high modulus asphalt (EME2), asphalt pavements, sprayed bituminous surfacing and the painting of steel bridges. Together, they provide practical guidance to support consistent practice, improve asset performance and help agencies and contractors deliver safe, reliable and durable transport infrastructure.

Download the technical specifications:

• ATS 3410 Asphalt Pavements (Edition 1.1)
• ATS 3420 Design of High Modulus Asphalt (EME2) Mixes (Edition 1.0)
• ATS 3460 Sprayed Bituminous Surfacing (Edition 2.0)
• ATS 5453 Painting of Steel Bridges – Site Management (Edition 2.1)

Read more | Explore all technical specifications

Survey closing soon: Help shape future Austroads technical specifications

There is still time for local councils across Australia to contribute to a national survey that will help shape future Austroads Technical Specifications for road and bridge infrastructure.

Delivered in collaboration with the Australian Local Government Association, the survey seeks local government feedback to help ensure technical specifications remain practical, fit-for-purpose and aligned with the needs of councils, which manage the majority of Australia's road network.

The survey takes just 5-10 minutes to complete and closes on 31 August 2026.

Call for papers closing soon: XXVIII World Road Congress

Abstract submissions for the XXVIII PIARC World Road Congress in Vancouver close on 31 August 2026.

The Australia and New Zealand National Committee is encouraging authors from member organisations, partner agencies, industry and academia to submit abstracts through PIARC's international process.

This is an opportunity to showcase practical experience, applied research, policy development and innovation, while contributing to the global exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport.

Austroads is an active member of the World Road Association (PIARC), contributing technical expertise through its participation in PIARC committees and supporting knowledge sharing across international road agencies.

The PIARC paper competition provides a pathway for strong Australian and New Zealand papers to be recognised locally and, where applicable, nominated for the international PIARC Prize Competition.

Submission process:

• Step 1: Submit abstracts via PIARC by 31 August 2026
• Step 2: Successful authors notified in November 2026; full papers due by 31 January 2027
• Step 3: Papers reviewed by the Australia and New Zealand National Committee (February-May 2027), with top papers nominated for PIARC prizes

The winner of the Australia and New Zealand National Competition is likely to be supported to attend the Congress. For international PIARC Prize winners, one co-author may receive registration, travel and accommodation support.

Papers must be original, technical in nature and not promotional.

The Prize Competition spans 10 categories, including road safety, sustainability, resilience, innovation and future workforce talent.

Learn more and submit abstract
Learn more about the Vancouver World Road Congress

New Austroads testing method helps road agencies build longer-lasting sprayed seals

Road agencies can now make more informed decisions about bitumen selection to reduce premature cracking and extend the life of sprayed seals, supported by a new Austroads test method for assessing the long-term performance of aged bitumen.

Sprayed seals are one of the most widely used road surfacing treatments across Australia and New Zealand, and Austroads member agencies collectively invest around $1 billion each year in bituminous binders to build and maintain the road network.

The new method provides a more reliable way to assess how bitumen performs as it ages, helping agencies identify materials that are less likely to become brittle and crack over time.

Read more | Download the Test Method | Download the Research Report

Five practical resources to improve sprayed sealing quality and performance

A new Pavement Work Tip on sprayed sealing aftercare, together with four updated resources covering nozzle selection, binder sampling, dust suppression and binder cutting practices, provides road agencies and contractors with practical guidance to improve pavement quality, reduce defects and support longer-lasting sprayed sealing outcomes.

Together, these resources address practical challenges encountered before, during and after surfacing works, helping practitioners improve construction quality, reduce defects, enhance safety and achieve better long-term pavement performance.

Download the work tips:

• Work Tip 14: Sprayed Sealing – Best Practice for Cutting Back Hot Binders
• Work Tip 33: Sprayed Sealing – Selection of Spraying Nozzles
• Work Tip 39: Dust Suppression with Bitumen Emulsion
• Work Tip 56: Taking Representative Samples of Bituminous Binders from Road Tankers
• Work Tip 58: Sprayed Sealing Aftercare

Read more

Licence holders from 12 overseas jurisdictions to get a faster path to an Australian licence

Australian licensing authorities have agreed to recognise driver licences issued by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea and Taiwan. These changes are not yet in effect. Each Australian state and territory will introduce them progressively over the coming months, with recognition expected to commence from late 2026.

Once in effect in a given state or territory, eligible licence holders from these jurisdictions will be able to transfer to an Australian licence without further testing. Because start dates will vary, licence holders should check when the changes take effect in their state or territory before applying.

This brings the total number of overseas jurisdictions to 40, in addition to New Zealand, which is covered under separate trans-Tasman licensing arrangements.

Read more

NEVDIS supporting services Australians rely on

The National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) continues to support services and initiatives that deliver benefits for Australians every day.

Most recently, NEVDIS data helped support the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in delivering the 2026 Census. On Census night, trusted vehicle and driver information from across Australia was securely snapshotted and provided by the Austroads data team to help strengthen the quality, accuracy and completeness of Census statistics that inform planning, policy and investment decisions across the country.

NEVDIS data also supports the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), administered by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Australians purchasing a used vehicle can undertake a PPSR search to access important vehicle status information sourced from NEVDIS, helping them make more informed decisions before buying.

Administered by Austroads on behalf of Australia's road agencies, NEVDIS enables the secure exchange of vehicle and driver information across jurisdictions. These examples demonstrate how nationally connected data supports services that improve consumer confidence, inform decision-making, and deliver value well beyond the transport sector.

Learn more about NEVDIS

Entries now open: Austroads Guidance to Impact Award

Entries are now open for the inaugural Austroads Guidance to Impact Award 2027, delivered with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

The award recognises Australian local governments that have successfully applied Austroads guidance, tools and technical resources to solve transport and infrastructure challenges and deliver measurable benefits for their communities.

Open to local governments, regional organisations of councils and joint council alliances, the award celebrates projects that demonstrate real-world outcomes in areas such as road safety, transport planning, sustainability, infrastructure performance and community wellbeing.

The winner will be sponsored to present their project through an Austroads webinar and at the ALGA National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress 2027, with winners and finalists also recognised at the ALGA National General Assembly 2027.

Entries close 28 February 2027.

Registrations now open: Resilient Transport 2026

Join Austroads and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport South Australia for Resilient Transport 2026, a one-day seminar dedicated to advancing resilient Australasian transport networks.

Taking place on 18 November 2026 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the seminar will bring together transport professionals, policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to explore practical approaches to understanding climate risks, prioritising resilience initiatives, and embedding resilience into transport planning, investment and delivery.

Ideal for professionals working across transport planning and policy, infrastructure, asset management, climate adaptation, emergency management, research, government and industry.

2026 ACRS Excellence in Road Safety Award webinar

As a co-host of the 2026 Australasian Road Safety Conference, Austroads encourages members of the transport community to attend an upcoming webinar hosted by the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS), showcasing projects submitted for the 2026 ACRS Excellence in Road Safety Award.

The webinar will be held on Thursday 17 September 2026 at 12 pm AEST and will bring together leading road safety practitioners and researchers from Australia and around the world to share innovative initiatives and practical approaches to improving road safety outcomes.

Attendees will gain insights into some of the sector's most inspiring projects, including AusRAP, Austroads' submission for the 2026 ACRS Excellence in Road Safety Award, and learn how organisations are contributing to safer roads and reduced trauma globally.

The winner of the 2026 ACRS Excellence in Road Safety Award will be announced at the ARSC 2026 Gala Dinner.

Register for the webinar | View conference program

Don't Risk the Rails campaign launched

Austroads is supporting the new national Don't Risk the Rails campaign, which aims to reduce deaths, injuries and near hits at level crossings across Australia.

Austroads participated in the National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable following the 2024 Bindarrah collision and contributed to subsequent work to improve data sharing and safety insights at level crossings. This work recognises that level crossings are a critical point where road and rail networks intersect and that improving safety outcomes requires collaboration across transport agencies, regulators and industry.

The campaign reminds drivers that no shortcut, distraction or moment of impatience is worth risking a collision with a train and encourages all road users to stay alert and follow signs and signals at level crossings.

Learn more

Update to Guide to Road Safety Part 3: Safe Speed Management | Register
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 1 pm AEST

Join this webinar to learn about the updated Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 3: Safe Speed Management and how the guidance can support safer speed limit setting in practice.

Update to the Austroads Guide to Road Design: Addressing Identified Gaps and Inconsistencies – Webinar 2 | Register
Monday, 24 August 2026, 1 pm AEST

Learn about the outcomes of Austroads research into intersection sight distance, including key gaps, inconsistencies and opportunities to improve alignment across Australian and New Zealand road design guidance.

Urban Freight Scoping Study | Register
Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 1 pm AEST

This webinar will present the findings of the Urban Freight Scoping Study, providing an evidence-based foundation to support future policy development and decision-making on urban freight in Australia and New Zealand.

Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 7: Road Safety Strategy and Management | Register
Monday, 31 August 2026, 1 AEST

This webinar will explore key elements of the Edition 3.0 update Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 7: Road Safety Strategy and Management, with a specific focus on the new Section 2: Road Safety Management.

Using and Understanding the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management for Road Infrastructure Managers | Register
Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 1 pm AEST

This webinar is designed for professionals working within or for RIMs, especially those responsible for managing TTM access to the road network for works, events, and emergencies. 

Managing Transport Management Centre Workplace Fatigue and Psychosocial Hazards | Register
Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 1 pm AEST

This webinar will discuss practical approaches for managing fatigue and psychosocial hazards in TMC environments, and explore how agencies can better support the wellbeing, resilience and performance of their operational teams. 

Using and Understanding the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management for Traffic Controllers & Traffic Management Implementers | Register
Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 1 pm AEDT

Explore the principles and requirements of the AGTTM, including recent updates and their practical application for Traffic Controllers (TCs), Traffic Management Implementers (TMIs), team leaders and supervisors involved in on-site temporary traffic management.

Using and Understanding the Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management for Project Managers and Clients of TTM Providers | Register
Tuesday, 24 November 2026, 1 pm AEDT

Relevant to project managers, construction managers, site supervisors, procurement professionals and others responsible for engaging TTM providers, this session will focus on the procurement and management of temporary traffic management services.

View recent webinar recordings

Work with us

Current vacancies

Austroads and Transport Certification Australia (TCA) employ staff across a range of specialised and technical disciplines. We pay attention to maintaining a safe and welcoming work environment, where all staff have equal access to opportunities. We encourage our staff to participate in external and internal training to make sure their skills and knowledge are continuously improved. We take inclusion and diversity seriously. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviours across our company and our work.

We currently have positions open for:

• Testing and Assurance Coordinator
• Senior Security Engineer
• Certification Engineer (Telematics/EWD)

View current vacancies

Tenders

There are currently no active tender opportunities. To stay informed about future tenders, subscribe to the Austroads Tenders mailing list.

Upcoming industry events

Bridge and Geotechnical Conference, 24 - 25 August, Auckland

MegaTrans, 16 - 17 September, Melbourne 

Australasian Road Safety Conference, 26 - 29 October, Sydney

IPWEA International Asset Management Summit, 22 - 23 October, Melbourne