RoadWatch: Roundup
February 2026
Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for February. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.
Austroads research strengthens confidence in thin asphalt pavement design and construction decisions
Austroads has released two new research reports providing clearer evidence and practical guidance to support safer, more reliable use of thin asphalt‑surfaced unbound granular pavements across Australia and New Zealand.
The first report, Performance Evaluation of a Thin Asphalt Surfaced Unbound Granular Pavement Under Accelerated Pavement Testing, documents full‑scale accelerated testing of asphalt‑surfaced unbound granular pavements undertaken in a controlled environment.
The companion report, Fatigue Performance Evaluation and Design of Thin Asphalt Surfaced Granular Pavement, draws on analysis of extensive field performance data from the Queensland road network for asphalt‑surfaced unbound granular pavements.
Together, the reports link experimental evidence with observed (i.e. field or “real-life”) network performance for asphalt‑surfaced unbound granular pavements, providing enhanced guidance about when thin asphalt surfacings may be appropriate, how construction quality and support conditions can be verified in practice, and how design methods could potentially be adjusted to reflect real-world performance.
Fatigue Performance Evaluation and Design of Thin Asphalt Surfaced Granular Pavement
- Thursday, 05 March 2026 | 1:00 pm AEDT
- Register here
Austroads publishes nine new technical specifications for earthworks, stormwater, and safety barriers
Austroads has released nine new technical specifications to support best practice in the construction and maintenance of road and transport infrastructure.
These specifications provide clear requirements for earthworks, stormwater infrastructure, traffic facilities, and safety barriers, helping practitioners deliver safer, more durable, and efficient projects.
The Austroads Earthworks and Stormwater Specifications include:
- ATS-2135-25 Management of Acid Sulfate Soils
- ATS-2170-25 Geosynthetic Reinforcement
- ATS-2180-25 Dry Deep Soil Mixing
- ATS-2185-25 Concrete Injected Columns
- ATS-2240-25 Construction of Stormwater Infrastructure
The Austroads Traffic Facilities and Incidental Construction Specifications include:
The Austroads Safety Barrier Specifications include:
Austroads releases new training to help general practitioners better support patients’ safe driving
Austroads has launched a new online education module to support general practitioners (GPs) in assessing and managing fitness to drive.
The module provides practical, patient-centred guidance on applying the Assessing Fitness to Drive (2022) Standards in everyday clinical practice, enabling GPs to have proactive conversations about health and driving, advise confidently about licensing, and support patients to drive for as long as it safe to do so.
Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Road Safety & Design Program Manager, says the new module reflects the growing need for accessible, evidence-based education in an area that is becoming increasingly complex for clinicians.
The online course normally costs $150 including GST, but Austroads is fully covering it until 31 May 2026, allowing GPs to access the training for free. There is no prerequisite learning.
Austroads identifies opportunities to improve pedestrian planning for agencies and councils across Australasia
Austroads has completed a review of pedestrian planning across the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, assessing existing guidance against best practice and identifying opportunities to improve clarity, consistency and effectiveness.
The review examined all parts of the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management that relate to walking and wheeling planning and infrastructure. The findings highlight opportunities to improve the clarity of language used in guidance, better reflect inclusive design principles, and strengthen how pedestrian safety is considered in areas such as crossings, intersections and access to public transport.
“Austroads members are focused on improving mobility for all. Understanding where people do not feel able to walk or wheel today helps road managers plan for more equitable and safer access to jobs, services and the community,” said Amy Naulls, Austroads Transport Network Operations Program Manager.
Austroads' Strategic Review of Pedestrian Planning Guidance
- Tuesday, 24 February 2026 | 1:00 pm AEDT
- Register here
Roads workforce outlook evolves as construction activity passes peak across Australia and New Zealand
Australia’s road construction boom may have passed its high point, but workforce pressures are far from over, with new Austroads analysis revealing a more uneven and complex skills outlook across the sector.
Updated workforce modelling shows that while national road activity in Australia peaked in FY24 and is now moderating, capability gaps are still expected to emerge in several jurisdictions as project timelines, labour mobility and competition from other sectors reshape demand for skilled workers.
These findings are detailed in the Australia and New Zealand Roads Capability Analysis 2025–2035 report, prepared for Austroads by Oxford Economics Australia. The update incorporates the latest labour market data, government budgets, and education and migration trends, and concludes a series of half‑yearly quantitative updates to the Roads Capability Analysis first released in 2023.
Updated interactive Tableau dashboards are also available to support workforce planning and cross‑jurisdictional coordination.
Austroads updates National Prequalification System Requirements Template
Austroads has released the updated National Prequalification System (NPS) Requirements Template, providing road agencies with a consistent framework they can adapt to suit local legislation and operational needs.
The revised template outlines the minimum requirements, assessment processes and standards used to evaluate a contractor’s capability, technical competence and financial capacity to deliver road and bridge construction projects. It supports nationally consistent eligibility criteria, prequalification categories, financial levels and mutual‑recognition pathways across participating jurisdictions.
This new edition incorporates several refinements, including updated guidance on financial assessment timeframes, joint venture arrangements and requirements for overseas contractors, enhancing transparency and improving national consistency.
2025 Austroads Bridge Conference Papers now available for download
A collection of 173 papers from the 2025 Austroads Bridge Conference is now available for download.
Covering a wide range of topics, including bridge assessment, design, sustainability, maintenance and performance, the papers showcase the depth and breadth of expertise across the bridge engineering sector.
As the largest Bridge Conference in Austroads’ history, the 12th event brought together more than 600 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and overseas. The published papers capture the insights and innovations shared by a diverse group of speakers and provide a valuable resource for those who were unable to attend, supporting ongoing knowledge sharing and collaboration across the industry.
Explore the convenience and safety features supported by ADAS technology
The ADAS app and website are available as a practical resource to help users understand vehicle features.
They offer short videos and plain‑language explanations that make it easier to understand what ADAS alerts mean, how different features work, and how they support safety and everyday driving.
Download the ADAS app or visit adasassist.com.au.
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.
Austroads’ Strategic Review of Pedestrian Planning Guidance | Register
Tuesday 24 February 2026, 1 pm AEDT
Join this webinar to explore the latest Austroads pedestrian planning insights and learn practical, Safe System-aligned strategies for creating safer, more inclusive walking environments.
The Importance of Connection in Road Safety and Singing our Success from the Rooftops | Register
Wednesday 4 March 2026, 1 pm AEDT
Register for this session to learn how global road safety leaders create lasting impact through clear vision, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and powerful storytelling that accelerates safer roads for all.
Fatigue Performance Evaluation and Design of Thin Asphalt Surfaced Granular Pavement | Register
Thursday 5 March 2026, 1 pm AEDT
This webinar will share new Austroads research on improving thin asphalt-surfaced granular pavement design, offering practical insights on performance analysis, fatigue‑risk mitigation, and a framework engineers can apply to deliver longer‑lasting pavements.
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:
- Senior Engagement Lead – Digital Trust Service
- Head of Policy and Transition – Digital Trust Service
- Senior Technical Business Analyst
- IT Service Manager
- Electronics Engineer
- Service Manager – Digital Trust Service
View current vacancies here.
Upcoming industry events
LBRCA 2026 NSW Rural Carriers’ Convention, 26 – 28 February, Coffs Harbour
ANET Conference, 23 – 25 March, Brisbane
IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference, 23 – 25 March, Melbourne
START26 National Conference, 26 – 27 March, Adelaide
