RoadWatch: Roundup
April 2025
Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for April. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.
New Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 1 includes guidance on Design Exceptions and Extended Design Domains
Austroads has released an updated edition of the Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 1: Objectives of Road Design (AGRD Part 1), which now includes enhanced guidance on identifying and managing design parameter values outside the normal design domain.
Edition 5.2 introduces structured definitions for Extended Design Domains (EDD) and Design Exceptions (DE), along with a high-level suggested process and an example template to assist road designers in making informed, defensible decisions. These updates, found in Sections 4.4 through 4.6 of AGRD Part 1, aim to provide greater clarity and consistency for practitioners working on projects in constrained environments.
With these updates, Austroads aims to support road designers, planners, and road authorities in delivering high-standard safety and performance outcomes, while navigating complex project constraints.
Read more and watch a webinar | Download the report | Download the guide
Austroads releases strategic pathway to safer walking environments
Austroads has released four new reports from its Keeping People Safe When Walking project, providing a clear and evidence-based roadmap for reducing pedestrian trauma across Australia and New Zealand.
Pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries remain unacceptably high, especially among vulnerable cohorts such as children, older people, First Nations communities, and people with disability. These reports set out a compelling case for change and a structured, system-wide response.
Grounded in Vision Zero principles and Safe System thinking, the findings show that fully implementing proven interventions could reduce pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries by 70–90%. Achieving this will require a coordinated, data-informed, and equity-focused approach to pedestrian safety.
Register for a webinar with Dr Hafez Alavi, Dr Shane Turner and Lewis Martin at 1 pm on Thursday 17 April.
Upcoming forum will lead discussion on driver distraction prevention strategy
An upcoming Austroads forum in Brisbane will bring together industry professionals, government representatives, and scholars to explore emerging strategies aimed at preventing road crashes caused by driver distraction. The event, scheduled for 16 July this year, will be held at the Transport and Main Roads offices in Brisbane.
The upcoming event will take a more holistic approach to addressing distraction-related crashes, focusing on strategies that go beyond traditional views of driver behavior.
A wide variety of approaches and insights will be presented during the event. Attendees will also have an option to submit an expression of interest to present on work they have done or are doing on distracted driving preventative measures.
With limited space available, Austroads encourages those interested in attending to register early to secure their spot.
Safe System Solutions and CivilEdge join list of ASHTAS training providers approved to deliver the installer suite
Austroads has announced that Safe System Solutions and CivilEdge are now approved to deliver the Installer training suite for the Austroads Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS).
ASHTAS is designed to ensure that everyone involved in the installation and maintenance of road safety barriers has the essential knowledge and skills to deliver safe and effective road infrastructure.
The following providers are currently approved to deliver ASHTAS courses:
- CivilEdge (Operative and Installer Suite A & B)
- CTA – Create Train Achieve (Operative)
- Roading Industry Support Services (Operative and Installer Suite A & B)
- Safe System Solutions (Operative)
- XStructe (Operative)
For full details on approved training providers, visit the Lantra website.
Austroads-approved traffic management trainers and organisations recognised at the Traffic Management Association of Australia Excellence Awards
Austroads is proud to celebrate the winners and finalists of the 2024 Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) Excellence Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the traffic management sector.
As part of its ongoing commitment to road safety and professional training, Austroads sponsored two key award categories: Traffic Management Trainer of the Year and Traffic Management Registered Training Organisation (RTO) of the Year.
The 2024 Traffic Management Trainer of the Year Award was granted to Justin Fyson from CTA (VIC), who was recognised for his exceptional dedication to training and developing professionals in the field.
The 2024 Traffic Management RTO of the Year Award, which recognises training organisations that consistently deliver high-quality training programs, was awarded to CivilEdge.
Austroads congratulates all winners and finalists for their dedication to road safety and looks forward to the continued progress of the national harmonisation of temporary traffic management practices, which will drive positive change across the sector.
Photo supplied by TMAA (L to R): Matthew Bereni, TMAA Chief Executive Officer; Carla Goodridge, TMAA National Accounts Officer; Justin Fyson, CTA (VIC); Geoff Allan, Austroads Chief Executive Officer; Patsy Thomas, Austroads National Temporary Traffic Management Operations Manager.
Austroads has formalised a new strategic alliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Austroads has formalised a new strategic alliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). This alliance builds on the long-standing collaboration between the organisations and sets the stage for deeper cooperation on shared transport challenges and opportunities across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
In an era of rapid technological change and increasing complexity, strong international partnerships like this one help us deliver smarter, safer, and more resilient transport networks for the future.
Together, Austroads and AASHTO will:
• share knowledge and technical expertise
• engage in cooperative research on common transport issues
• facilitate peer exchanges of information through meetings, webinars and conferences.
The signing of the MoU with AASHTO was part of a strategic engagement program by Austroads with North American transportation leaders in Washington, DC, in March 2025. This included contributing to high-level discussions at the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Global Summit and engaging in knowledge exchange with the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
This collaboration strengthens our global partnerships and reinforces the role of Australia and New Zealand as leaders in transport policy and innovation, committed to continuous improvement through shared insight.
Photo (L to R): Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by AASHTO President Garrett Eucalitto and Austroads Deputy Chair Brett Gliddon.
Due to high demand, the exhibition area for the 12th Austroads Bridge Conference 2025 has been expanded to accommodate additional booths. With only 5 booths remaining, this is the last chance to showcase your organisation, products or projects to the bridge industry.
In addition to the exhibition space, there are some exciting sponsorship opportunities:
- Co-Sponsor
- Poster Sessions Sponsor
- Charging Stations Sponsor
- Pocket Program Sponsor
- Registration Sponsor
- Welcome Reception Sponsor
- Conference Dinner Sponsor
Various investment levels are available to suit your needs. Don’t miss your chance to elevate your brand at this premier event and gain maximum visibility!
Check out the full prospectus and secure your spot today.
All upcoming Austroads webinars
There is no charge for our webinars, but registration is essential. If you can’t make the live session, register and we will send you a link to the recording.
Identifying Segregation in Next Generation Polymer Modified Binders | Register
Thursday 29 May 2025, 1 pm AEST
This webinar will summarise the outcomes of an Austroads project which developed a new segregation test (ATM 104) which is suitable for use with both current and next generation polymer modified binders.
Review of Specialty Harnesses and Vests Used by Children and Young People with Disability | Register
Thursday 5 June 2025, 1 pm AEST
Join this webinar to hear about the findings of the project that investigated specialty harnesses and vests used by children and young people with disabilities and medical conditions when travelling in motor vehicles.
Unlocking the Potential of Telematics Analytics Platform for Local Governments | Express your interest
June 2025
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.
Work with us
Current projects
Are you looking for an opportunity to work on an Austroads project? The following project is open for tender:
- SAG6508 Comprehensive Guidance for Raised Intersections. Closing 3 pm AEDT, Thursday 1 May 2025.
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:
- Senior Developer
- Technical Communicator
- Senior Project Manager Digital Trust Service (DTS)
- Program Coordinator Transport Network Operations
View current vacancies here.
Upcoming industry events
Brisbane Truck Show, 15 – 18 May, Brisbane
18th International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport & Technology (HVTT18), 26 – 29 May 2025, Québec City, Canada
20th ITS Asia Pacific Forum, 28 – 30 May 2025, Suwon, Korea
2025 National General Assembly, 24 – 27 June 2025, Canberra
12th Austroads Bridge Conference (2025), 25 – 27 June 2025, Brisbane
Driver Distraction In-Person Forum, 16 July 2025, Brisbane
