RoadWatch: Roundup

June 2025

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

Workforce planning key to delivering road projects as activity peaks across Australasia

With road infrastructure investment across Australia and New Zealand reaching historic highs, a new Austroads report highlights the opportunity – and urgency – of strengthening workforce planning to meet surging demand.

The Australia and New Zealand Roads Capability Analysis March 2025 Update report identifies short- to medium-term workforce capability pressures in Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand, as project pipelines expand, and activity intensifies.

'This is a time of significant opportunity for the sector,' said Geoff Allan, Chief Executive of Austroads. 'We’re seeing increased investment, major project launches, and renewed momentum across both countries. But to deliver on this promise, we must ensure we have the skilled workforce in place to support it.'

To support ongoing workforce planning and stakeholder coordination, the interactive Tableau dashboards have been updated to present the key results from the quantitative analysis featured in the report. See the dashboards below.

Read more | Download the report

Further reading: LinkedIn article by Austroads Chief Executive Geoff Allan

Austroads releases major update to bridge barrier guidelines following world-first crash testing

Austroads has released two significant new publications to improve the safety, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of bridge barrier design across Australia and New Zealand.

Marking a significant step forward, the Standardised Bridge Barrier Design Guidelines (AP-G108-25) and the accompanying Research Report (AP-R735-25) provide a comprehensive update to the widely used 2013 guideline, addressing key concerns raised by road agencies, consultants, and contractors.

The new guidelines are expected to support bridge barrier design, reduce costs through improved standardisation and clearer design procedures, and help jurisdictions deliver more consistent infrastructure outcomes.

As part of this work, Austroads conducted a world-first full-scale crash test in July 2023, involving a 36-tonne articulated truck, a sports utility vehicle, and a small passenger car at 90 km/h against the medium performance level bridge barrier – the most common type used across the region. The test exceeded the 80 km/h impact speed standard set by the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), marking the first time a bridge barrier had been tested under these more demanding conditions.

Read more | Download the Guideline and Research Report

Boost sustainability and cut costs: practical guidance on LED lighting upgrades for existing road tunnels

Austroads has released a new technical report providing essential guidance for upgrading ageing road tunnel lighting systems to energy-efficient LED technology. 

The guidance stresses the need for thorough project planning and risk assessment, including defining responsibilities early in the process to avoid surprises during design and construction. It also notes that lighting retrofit projects have achieved up to 20% energy savings in some recent cases, highlighting the potential for reduced operating costs and emissions.

“Many tunnels are now reaching the end of their lighting system’s lifespan,” Ross Guppy, Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager. “This report helps owners make informed decisions that support long-term sustainability without compromising safety or performance.”

Read more | Download the report

Austroads report charts path for life-saving automatic crash notification systems in Australia and New Zealand

Austroads has released a new research report that explores options for the implementation of Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) systems in Australia and New Zealand. These systems automatically alert emergency responders when a crash occurs, transmitting critical data such as location, time, and severity to speed up emergency response and save lives.

Joanne Vanselow, Austroads Program Manager for Vehicles & Technology, said, 'This report is incredibly timely. With the rapid uptake of ACN technologies in new vehicles and smart devices, governments and agencies need a clear understanding of ACN technology options to inform future coordination to scale these systems and maximise their safety benefits.'

The report stresses that decisions on how to deploy ACN will impact the scale and effectiveness of these systems, touching on government involvement, costs, and uptake by vehicle manufacturers and consumers. Importantly, it calls for further consultation with stakeholders, clear definition of roles, and a detailed cost-benefit analysis to select the best approach.

Read more | Download the report

New Austroads report showcases practical action on safer speeds across Australia and New Zealand

Austroads has released a new report that highlights practical, real-world examples of how speed is being better managed across the road network. The report celebrates the efforts of people working across all levels of government to improve safety and save lives by reducing speeds.

'Speed is a key factor in both the likelihood and severity of crashes,' said Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Road Safety Program Manager. 'This report highlights the real and ongoing work happening around Australia and New Zealand to address this issue through thoughtful, evidence-based action.'

The report draws on case studies from across the region to demonstrate how improved communication, community engagement, data use, and collaboration are helping to implement safer speeds. 'These examples show that positive change is already happening – and that it is being led by a growing number of committed individuals and agencies working together toward shared safety goals,' said Michael.

Read more | Download the report

Austroads launches a new test method to assess storage stability of hybrid polymer modified binders

Austroads has released a technical report outlining a new segregation test method designed to evaluate the storage stability of modern polymer modified binders (PMBs), including the increasingly common next generation hybrid variants. 

This new method has been formalised as Austroads Test Method ATM 104 Storage Stability of Binders, representing a significant improvement in assessing PMB segregation during hot storage and transport.

Ross Guppy, Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager, said: 'The development of hybrid polymer modified binders has outpaced existing test methods. ATM 104 is a robust, modern test that effectively assesses both traditional and next generation PMBs.'

Read more | Download the report | Download ATM 104

Test methods to enhance road construction practices

Austroads has introduced four new test methods that will help the road construction industry better manage the environmental and safety challenges associated with paving materials.

'These test methods are a first for our industry and are world leading in breaking new ground in how we assess emissions, microplastic release and recycled materials in road construction. This kind of guidance simply hasn’t existed before, and it will play a major role in shaping safer, more sustainable practices across the sector,' said Ross Guppy, Austroads’ Transport Infrastructure Program Manager.

The new test methods are: 

• ATM 240: Emissions Analysis and Characterisation of Neat and Polymer-Modified Bitumen
• ATM 241: Emissions Analysis and Characterisation of Asphalt Mixes
• ATM 457: Release of Microplastics from Plastic-Modified Bituminous Mixes (Asphalt Abrasion Test)
• ATM 458: Suitability of Recycled Plastics as Road Construction Materials

Read more | Download: ATM 240, ATM 241, ATM 457 and ATM 458.

Help shape best-practice guidance for truck-mounted attenuator use across Australia and New Zealand

Austroads, in partnership with Point8 Pty Ltd, is developing national guidance for the use of truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) during planned temporary traffic management and incident response activities. To ensure this guidance reflects the needs of the industry, we are seeking input from professionals involved in temporary traffic management industry. 

We invite you to participate in a short, anonymous 5-minute survey, conducted by Point8 on behalf of Austroads. The survey focuses on industry experience, challenges, and opportunities to promote safer and more consistent TMA use. Your feedback will contribute to improving safety outcomes for road workers, plant operators, and road users throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Please help us spread the word by sharing the survey with your colleagues and professional network. Broad industry participation is essential to ensure the guidance is practical, effective, and widely applicable.

Thank you for your contribution to making our roads safer.

Complete the survey

Austroads Bridge Conference – finalists announced!

Austroads Bridge Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in bridge engineering across Australia and New Zealand. These awards recognise the individuals, teams, and organisations delivering outstanding achievements in bridge design, delivery, and asset management.

The judging panel was thoroughly impressed by the exceptional quality and innovation demonstrated in this year’s award submissions. We are proud to present the full list of finalists who have set a new benchmark for excellence in bridge design, management, and project delivery across Australia and New Zealand.

Meet the finalists in person and hear about their projects at the Austroads Bridge Conference, proudly supported by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

The award winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner and Austroads Bridge Awards, hosted by Col Cameron, with a special stand-up performance from comedy legend Dave Hughes.

When: 25–27 June 2025
Where: Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane
Register now!

Celebrating excellence across the Austroads network

It’s been a period of outstanding recognition for the Austroads community, with achievements spanning research, leadership, and long-term industry contribution. From international accolades to internal awards, these milestones highlight the expertise, dedication, and collaboration that define our work.

Best Paper Award – International recognition in road design

Austroads is proud to share that Richard Fanning and Philip Rosser from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, along with Michael Nieuwesteeg and Paul Davies from Austroads, received a Best Paper Award at the Transportation Research Board’s 7th International Conference on Roundabouts and Geometric Design, held in Atlanta, USA.

Their paper, 'Addressing the Current and Future Needs of Road Design in Australia,' explores practical strategies and forward-looking insights from Australia’s evolving approach to road design. Special thanks to Philip and Richard for leading the development of the paper, with support from the Austroads Road Design Task Force.

Austroads Achievement Award 2024 – Raymond Paterson

Austroads was delighted to present the 2024 Achievement Award to Raymond Paterson from Major Road Projects Victoria, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Project Delivery Task Force.

Raymond’s leadership in the project Optimising Project Delivery Performance – Stage 2 (APD6336), along with his strategic input and collaborative approach, has been vital in improving infrastructure delivery across the network. Congratulations, Raymond, and thank you for your dedication to Austroads’ objectives!

Austroads Outstanding Service Award 2024 – Warren Carter

Austroads proudly presented the 2024 Outstanding Service Award to Warren Carter in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the pavements industry over more than 30 years.

As National Technical Manager at Downer until his retirement, Warren played a pivotal role in numerous Austroads initiatives, bringing deep technical expertise and respected industry insight. His work has had a lasting impact on our projects and the wider transport infrastructure community. Thank you, Warren, and congratulations on this well-earned recognition!

Austroads named 5-Star Employer of Choice for 2025

Austroads has been recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice for 2025 by Human Resources Director (HRD) Magazine, a leading publication for HR professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

The award celebrates organisations that demonstrate excellence across workplace culture, employee engagement, leadership, and development. Winners are selected based on both employer submissions and anonymous employee feedback.

Geoff Allan, Chief Executive of Austroads, said the recognition reflected the commitment of the entire organisation. “This award belongs to our people,” Dr Allan said. “It reflects the dedication, professionalism, and deep expertise our staff bring to their work every day. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built – one that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and mutual respect.”

This same commitment to excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement also underpins Austroads’ approach to transparency and accountability. Austroads’ Annual Report 2023-24 has been recognised with a Silver Award in the most recent Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA).

“This achievement highlights our ongoing commitment to providing a clear and comprehensive account of our performance to our member agencies and the wider community,” said Geoff.

Read more | View the special report from HDR | View Austroads Annual Report 2023-24

Austroads and TCA at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show

Austroads and Transport Certification Australia (TCA) were proud to contribute to the Brisbane Truck Show held in May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over four days, from expert panels to one-on-one conversations, our teams were busy sharing knowledge, gathering feedback, and connecting with a broad mix of operators, regulators, and innovators from across Australia.

Our experts were on hand to talk Smart OBM, telematics analytics, and the future of heavy vehicle driver competency. It was a privilege to join sessions in collaboration with our partners from Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, the National Transport Commission, and Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds.

Thank you to everyone who visited Booth 229, attended a session, or simply took the time to connect with us. Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) were excellent, and the event attracted a record breaking 54,790 attendees over 4 days. Your engagement helps shape the future of road transport – and we’re already looking forward to continuing the conversation.

Austroads Project Pipeline 2025-26 | Register
Thursday 19 June 2025, 1 pm AEST

This webinar will introduce new projects lined up for the 2025-26 financial year. Consultants interested in tendering for Austroads projects will find this session beneficial.

eCall: Possible Approaches for Australia and New Zealand | Register
Tuesday 8 July 2025, 1 pm AEST

Join this session to learn how automatic crash notification systems, such as eCall, can be effectively implemented to maximise safety and economic benefits.

Updating the Standardised Bridge Barrier Design Guidelines | Register
Thursday 10 July 2025, 1 pm AEST

This webinar will cover the project and updated Austroads Standardised Bridge Barrier Design Guideline, and the crash testing including Finite Element Modelling and full-scale crash test.

Unlocking the Potential of Telematics Analytics Platform for Local Governments | Express your interest
Date TBC

This webinar will provide information on the benefits of using telematics data for local asset management and transport planning – particularly with regard to restricted access heavy vehicles.

View recent webinar recordings

Work with us

Current projects

Are you looking for an opportunity to work on an Austroads project? The following projects are open for tender:

• SRD6501 Road Design Guidance for Large Freight Vehicles. Closing 3 pm AEST, Monday 16 June 2025.
• NEG6527 AGTM Update – Motorway Capacity Analysis. Closing 4 pm AEST, Tuesday 17 June 2025.

Find out more

Webinar: Austroads Project Pipeline 2025-26

Want to work with Austroads? Join us this Thursday at 1 pm AEST for a webinar introducing Austroads’ projects for the 2025-26 financial year. You will hear directly from Austroads program managers, get insights into the tendering process, and have the chance to ask questions during the Q&A. We will be covering projects across these programs:

• Transport Infrastructure
• Road Safety and Design
• Transport Network Operations
• Vehicles and Technology
• Environment and Sustainability

Whether you're a current partner or new to working with Austroads, this is a great opportunity to explore what’s ahead and how to get involved.

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:

• Technical Communicator
• Senior Project Manager Digital Trust Service (DTS)

View current vacancies here.

Upcoming industry events

2025 National General Assembly, 24 – 27 June 2025, Canberra

12th Austroads Bridge Conference (2025), 25 – 27 June 2025, Brisbane

5th International Conference on Timber Bridges, 29 June – 2 July 2025, Rotorua, New Zealand

Driver Distraction In-Person Forum, 16 July 2025, Brisbane