RoadWatch: Roundup

December 2025 🎄

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

From the Chief Executive

Austroads publishes 2024–25 Annual Report highlighting a year of impact and collaboration

Austroads has released its Annual Report for 2024–25, showcasing a year of strong performance, innovation, and collaboration across Australia and New Zealand’s transport sector. The report demonstrates how Austroads continues to work closely with its members, governments, and industry partners to deliver safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport systems.

Austroads’ research and guidance program delivered significant outcomes during 2024–25, with 101 publications produced and nine national guides fully adopted by members. These resources underpin harmonised practice across jurisdictions, improving safety, efficiency and productivity on both sides of the Tasman. Updates to technical specifications and guides supported consistent design and operations, while more than 85 active projects advanced evidence-based solutions to shared challenges. By aligning standards and streamlining processes, Austroads is helping foster a more connected, resilient and prosperous society.

Dr Geoff Allan, Austroads Chief Executive, said: “This year’s achievements reflect our commitment to collaboration and innovation. From advancing digital driver licences and heavy vehicle safety to modernising access systems and harmonising training, we are helping our members navigate complex challenges and prepare for the future.”

Austroads sincerely thanks TDL Creative for their exceptional creativity and effort in designing this year’s Annual Report.

Read more | Download the report

Austroads updates speed management guide for safer and more accessible roads

Austroads has released the latest edition of its Guide to Road Safety Part 3: Safe Speeds (AGRS), providing practical guidance for road authorities and practitioners on safe and effective speed management across Australasia.

Safe speed limits are a critical component of road safety. Even small reductions in speed can significantly reduce road trauma while also improving public health and wellbeing, increasing opportunities for walking and cycling, and reducing vehicle noise.

“The updated AGRS Part 3 reflects a holistic, evidence-based approach to speed management. It is designed to support decision makers and practitioners in delivering safer speeds across the network while considering broader benefits for communities,” said Michael Nieuwesteeg, Road Safety and Design Program Manager at Austroads.

Read more | Download the report

Austroads helps road agency and emergency services incident response teams prepare for EV battery fires and improve network resilience

Austroads has released a new report to help first responders working for road agencies and emergency services plan for and manage the risks posed by electric vehicle (EV) battery fires.

“Road manager incident response teams are adapting their approach to recognise the needs of the EV fleet and evolving battery technologies. This report represents a major contribution to research on EV fires, supporting road managers to be well-informed and prepared for emergencies,” said Amy Naulls, Austroads’ Transport Network Operations Program Manager.

The report draws on a literature review, case studies, and stakeholder engagement to develop the EV Incident Response Framework. It identifies knowledge gaps and recommends ongoing review and collaboration to ensure procedures remain current as technologies and practices evolve.

Read more | Download the report

Austroads releases recommendations to update its guides for large freight vehicles

A new report examines how existing Austroads guidance addresses the geometric design requirements needed to accommodate large freight vehicles (LFVs).

Innovation in vehicle design has delivered major productivity gains for the road transport industry in recent years. We’ve seen more larger vehicle combinations, and strong industry support for use of vehicles such as B-doubles.

This report reviews several Austroads guides to identify where updates may be needed to better accommodate LFVs. These include the Austroads Guide to Road Design, Guide to Road Tunnels, Design Vehicles and Turning Path Templates, Guide to Traffic Management, and Guide to Pavement Technology.

“Updating Austroads guides to include the dimensions and performance of LFVs, including more PBS vehicles, will help increase the uptake of these vehicles. Harmonising road design standards in this way can improve network efficiency, reduce the number of freight movements, and contribute to national goals such as Net Zero 2050.” said Amy Naulls, Austroads Transport Network Operations Program Manager.

Read more | Download the report

Austroads publishes new specification for modular bridge expansion joints

Austroads has released a new technical specification outlining the requirements for the design, manufacture, and installation of Modular Bridge Expansion Joints (MBEJs). Contractors are required to ensure that the MBEJ manufacturer complies with these requirements.

A Modular Bridge Expansion Joint consists of multiple transverse beams, known as centre beams, and seals, which are connected to a series of support mechanisms to provide a large movement capacity. The specification covers both single and multiple support bar systems, ensuring consistency and quality across all applications.

Download the specification 

ADAS service helping drivers use vehicle technology safely

Four months ago, Austroads introduced the ADAS Guidance Service – a resource designed to help drivers, assessors, licensing authorities, and the wider community understand and safely use Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

At the centre of this service is the ADAS Assist website and app, your go-to hub for clear, practical information on common ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking.

The ADAS Assist platform offers:

• Fact sheets, FAQs, and explainer videos
• Simple, consistent explanations of ADAS functions
• Resources to build confidence in using vehicle technology

If you haven’t explored it yet, now is the time!

Visit adasassist.com.au to access the platform or download the ADAS Assist app.

Designing Roads for Large Freight Vehicles | Register
Thursday 29 January 2026, 1 pm AEDT

Join this webinar to discover best-practice road design requirements to support the use of modern and emerging Large Freight Vehicles for all new road and road upgrade projects along heavy vehicle routes.

Review of Speed Management Evidence and Guidance | Register
Monday 09 February 2026, 1 pm AEDT

Register for this session to explore the latest evidence and best practice in speed management aimed at reducing road trauma and the likelihood of a crash where speed is a significant contributor. 

Incident Response for Low and Zero Emission Vehicles | Register
Tuesday 10 February 2026, 12:00 pm AEDT

In this webinar, explore the risks and operational impacts of EV incidents and gain evidence, tools and coordination insights to support forward planning and implementation for EV incident response.

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:

• Human Resources Advisor
• Communications and Change Manager - Digital Trust Service
• Vendor and Contracts Manager - Digital Trust Service
• Master Scheduler - Digital trust Service
• Senior Technical Business Analyst
• Senior Project Manager
• IT Service Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Head of Program Management Digital Trust Service

View current vacancies here.

Tenders

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

• APT6657 Pavements on Expansive Soil Subgrades. Closing 5 pm AEDT, Monday 19 January 2026.
• ABT6648 Guideline for the Assessment of Existing Bridges and Other Structures for Fatigue. Closing 5 pm AEDT, Monday 19 January 2026.
• SAG6639 Supporting speed management change through improved community insights. Closing 2 pm AEDT, Thursday 12 February 2026,

Find out more

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 

Austroads will be taking a well-deserved pause this festive season. Our Sydney and Melbourne offices will close from 1 pm on 24 December 2025 as we shift into holiday mode, and we will reopen on 5 January 2026.🎄

The NEVDIS team will provide limited support between 29–31 December 2025 and on 2 January 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm AEDT.

Wishing you safe travels and joyful journeys this Christmas and New Year – whether you are walking, riding, rolling, or driving! 🚶‍♀️🚲🦽🚗✨🚦

Take care on the roads, and we will see you in 2026!