RoadWatch: Roundup
September 2026
Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for September. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.
Modernising intersection design for a changing transport network
As transport networks become more complex and road users travel in different ways, road designers are being encouraged to take a fresh look at how visibility is assessed at intersections, with Austroads identifying opportunities to update guidance in response to evolving vehicles, transport technology and travel patterns across the road network.
The review found that practitioners currently draw on several sight distance models, each intended for different situations. While these models remain important design tools, feedback from industry highlighted the need for clearer guidance on when and how they should be applied. The research also identified opportunities to improve guidance for signalised intersections, including situations where traffic signals are not operating normally.
Earlier intervention key to reducing over-height vehicle incidents in tunnels
Preventing an over-height vehicle from entering a tunnel is far more effective than managing the consequences after it does. Austroads has identified opportunities to strengthen the management of over-height vehicles approaching tunnels, helping road agencies and tunnel operators intervene earlier and minimise disruption to tunnel operations.
The research examined how over-height vehicles are managed once they are already on the road network and at risk of entering a tunnel. Drawing on Australian, New Zealand and international practice, the study assessed approaches across the prevention, mitigation, response and recovery stages of the incident lifecycle.
Managing Over-height Vehicles in Tunnels
Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 1:00 PM AEDT
Register here
New guidance supports the workforce behind critical transport network operations
Every day, operators in transport management centres (TMCs) help keep people and freight moving safely across Australia and New Zealand. Working around the clock, they coordinate responses to crashes, extreme weather, road closures and major events, making critical decisions to support road users, emergency services and incident response teams.
Recognising the growing demands placed on this workforce, Austroads has released new evidence-based resources to help organisations better manage fatigue and psychosocial hazards in TMC environments. Supporting the wellbeing of TMC staff is not only a workforce issue, it is fundamental to maintaining safe, resilient and effective network operations.
Read more | Watch the webinar recording
Download the guideline | Download the report
New framework connects road design, traffic management and road safety
Road design, traffic management and road safety practitioners contribute to the same transport system, but they do not always work from a shared understanding of the problem or remain involved throughout the life of a project.
New Austroads guidance provides a framework for bringing these disciplines together, from strategic network planning and project scoping through design and implementation to operational review and future reconfiguration. It shows how the Austroads Guide to Road Design, Guide to Traffic Management and Guide to Road Safety can be used together at each stage.
Read more | Download the report
Coordinated use of Austroads Guides to Support
Safe and Efficient Road Networks
Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 1:00 PM AEDT
Register here
Deciding which climate adaptation measures should be prioritised
Transport agencies are increasingly focused on protecting their assets and services from climate change while managing the rising costs of adaptation and recovery. A new Austroads methodology provides a practical and consistent way to compare possible adaptation measures and decide which should be prioritised.
The Adaptation Action Prioritisation Methodology supports early decision-making by guiding practitioners through the identification, assessment and prioritisation of possible measures. It helps agencies shortlist options for further analysis, preliminary design or business case development.
Identifying and Prioritising Climate Adaption
Actions for Transport Assets
Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 1:00 PM AEDT
Register here
Measuring the resilience of transport assets and services
How quickly can essential transport services recover after a flood, bushfire or other natural hazard? Are disruptions becoming shorter or more severe? Do critical routes have viable alternatives?
New Austroads guidance gives transport agencies a structured way to answer these questions by measuring how assets, services and networks perform before, during and after disruption. It supports agencies to establish baselines, track changes over time and use the results to inform planning, investment and reporting.
Measuring Climate and Natural Hazard Resilience Performance of Transport Assets and Services
Monday, 12 October 2026, 1:00 – 2:00pm AEDT
Register here
Enhancing pavement technologies across Australia and New Zealand
Austroads has updated its Guide to Pavement Technology Part 4A: Granular Base and Subbase Materials, with Edition 2.0 introducing targeted improvements to support a more efficient, effective approach across Australia and New Zealand.
This updated edition ensures practitioners continue to have access to contemporary, evidence-based guidance on the selection, testing and specification of crushed rock and naturally occurring granular materials for use in pavement base and subbase. The Guide examines the role and function of these materials within pavement structures, outlines the physical properties that influence performance and durability, and addresses the production and use of natural, manufactured and recycled materials.
In light of the success of the Call for Papers, PIARC extends the submission deadline to 30 September 2026
Road and transport professionals worldwide are invited to submit their abstracts by 30 September 2026!
The XXVIII World Road Congress will take place in Vancouver, Canada, from 4 to 8 October 2027. PIARC has officially launched its Call for Papers covering 57 topics that will contribute to the Congress program.
The response to the Call for Papers has already been a success, with abstracts received from more than 60 countries. To allow even more professionals from the sector to share their expertise, experiences and innovations, PIARC has decided to extend the deadline for abstract submissions until 30 September 2026.
All practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals from the road and transport sector are invited to submit abstracts in English, French or Spanish.
Read more | Submit your abstract
Harmonised batter slope guidance supports safer, more sustainable road design
Austroads has strengthened guidance on the selection of batter slopes, providing road agencies with updated advice to support safe, resilient and sustainable roadside design across a range of terrain and operating conditions.
A review of Australian, New Zealand and international guidance found differing approaches to batter slope selection, particularly in how factors such as motorist safety, maintenance requirements and slope stability are prioritised. The findings informed updates to the Austroads Guide to Road Design Parts 3 and 6, supporting a more consistent approach across road design guidance.
Two additional jurisdictions added to Australia’s recognised overseas licences scheme
Australian driver licensing authorities have agreed to recognise driver licences issued by Cyprus and Hungary, expanding Australia’s Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme to include a further two overseas jurisdictions.
The addition of Cyprus and Hungary follows the recent announcement that licences issued by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea and Taiwan will also be recognised.
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.
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 and Prioritising Climate Adaption Actions for Transport Assets | Register
Tuesday, 6 October 2026, 1 pm AEDT
Learn about the findings of a new Austroads report, Identifying and Prioritising Climate Adaption Actions for Transport Assets, which addresses a key challenge for Austroads members: translating climate risk and resilience objectives into prioritised adaptation initiatives to support investment decision-making.
Measuring Climate and Natural Hazard Resilience Performance of Transport Assets and Services | Register
Monday, 12 October 2026, 1 pm AEDT
Attendees will learn how these resources can support consistent measurement of resilience performance. The webinar will also outline their potential applications for resilience planning, performance monitoring and investment prioritisation.
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.
Coordinated Use of Austroads Guides to Support Safe and Efficient Road Networks | Register
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 1 pm AEDT
This webinar draws on the Austroads Guides to Road Design (AGRD), Traffic Management (AGTM) and Road Safety (AGRS), and a new publication from Austroads (Coordinated Use of Austroads Guides to Support Safe and Efficient Road Networks) to demonstrate their interconnectedness
Managing Over-height Vehicles in Tunnels | Register
Thursday, 5 November 2026, 1 pm AEDT
This webinar will present findings from the Austroads research report Managing Over-height Vehicles in Tunnels. It will examine how vehicles already on the road network and at risk of entering managed tunnels are addressed across the prevention, mitigation, response and recovery stages. The research draws on literature, stakeholder engagement, a review of selected Australian and New Zealand tunnels, and Australian, New Zealand and international case studies.
Role of 5G Technology in Vehicle and Infrastructure Connectivity | Register
Monday, 9 November 2026, 1 pm AEDT
This webinar will provide the findings of the research report that identifies practical insights that can help transport agencies make confident decisions, plan strategically and prepare for the future of connected transport.
Travel to School in Practice | Register
Tuesday, 24 November 2026, 1 pm AEDT
Drawing on a successful partnership in south-east Melbourne, this webinar explores how schools and local governments can work together to improve safety, support active travel, reduce congestion and build community support for change. Presenters will share lessons on stakeholder engagement, behaviour change initiatives, infrastructure planning and delivery, and the challenges encountered along the way.
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.
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 Technical Business Analyst
- Testing and Assurance Coordinator
- Senior Security Engineer
- Certification Engineer (Telematics/EWD)
Tenders
We currently have tenders open for:
- ESE6621 - Active Transport Monitoring and Demand Estimation – Evidence Review and Guideline
- VTA6693 Risk assessment framework for automated vehicle trials
- ART6733 Decision Framework for Working Widths in Road Tunnels
- SAG6704 Charting a Path to Zero: Applying Safe System in Road Infrastructure Planning, Design and Traffic Engineering
- NPA6744 2027 National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey
Upcoming industry events
Australasian Road Safety Conference, 26 - 29 October, Sydney
IPWEA International Asset Management Summit, 22 - 23 October, Melbourne
