RoadWatch: Roundup

November 2023

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

Austroads 2022-23 Annual Report marks 90 years of collectively tackling hard issues

Austroads has published its 2022-23 annual report, which provides a final report on the delivery of the Austroads Strategic Plan 2020-24 and the financial performance of Austroads and Transport Certification Australia (TCA).

This year Austroads marks 90 years of bringing together road and transport professionals and leaders to collectively tackle hard issues. From its inception in 1933, Austroads has had a strong role in developing and applying national standards to improve transport outcomes.

Austroads performance measures are healthy and as the organisation is positioning itself to become the leading provider of transport information and services, it has been seeking advice on structural and operational improvements.

“The Austroads Board has high expectations of the organisation because our people continue to deliver exceptional outcomes. We are seeking actions to support sustainable improvement and deliver better processes, better systems and better management of technology and data,” said Austroads Chief Executive Geoff Allan.

Download the Austroads Annual Report 2022-23

New Austroads vehicle classification scheme to reflect the evolving mix of vehicles on Australian and New Zealand roads

Austroads has developed an extended vehicle classification scheme to improve understanding and monitoring of the changing vehicles on Australian and New Zealand roads.

Founded on the 1994 Austroads vehicle classification scheme – Austroads-94, the new, updated classification system known as Austroads-23 presents guidance on how to record active travellers, allows for more granularity of vehicle types, and explains potential additional pathways to classification using new technologies as they become feasible and available.

“Transport of people and goods is essential to our economy and community. As a society, we make substantial investments in our road networks to facilitate this. For road managers to optimize their investment, understanding who is using their networks, where, and when is critical.” said Amy Naulls, Austroads’ Transport Network Operations Program Manager.

The project came about because the Austroads Network Task Force were concerned that the previous Austroads-94 vehicle classification scheme, which is now nearly 30 years old, was no longer a good fit for the vehicles operating on Australian and New Zealand road networks.

“The new classification system will allow us to develop a more accurate and inclusive picture of who is using our roads, and facilitate more informed decisions around transport planning and infrastructure development to better support all road users.”

Read more | Download the vehicle classification scheme

Deadline approaches for Queensland and NSW's transition to TMA and Smart OBM

There's less than seven months left for eligible heavy vehicle operators in Queensland and New South Wales to adopt Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) systems.

From 1 June 2024, transport operators currently operating under interim OBM arrangements in the two states need to have transitioned to Smart OBM systems.

Additionally, eligible operators need to be enrolled in the relevant TMA mass monitoring scheme through their application service providers.

Operators must only use TCA type-approved Smart OBM systems that are linked to TMA by certified service providers.

The deadline follows an 18-month transition period, first announced by both governments on 1 Dec 2022. No further extensions to this timeframe are being considered by Transport for NSW and Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland.

Further details about the vehicles affected by the transition are available on the Transport for NSW and Business Queensland websites.

TCA also ran two webinar sessions earlier this year to address questions about the transitions. Recordings from these webinars are available below:
Webinar: Queensland’s transition from IAP to TMA
Webinar: NSW’s Transition to Smart On-Board Mass for PBS Mass Monitoring

ASHTAS required across a number of jurisdictions from July 2024

The Austroads Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS) will become mandatory across a number of jurisdictions from 01 July 2024.

ASHTAS is a training and accreditation scheme comprising a graduated pathway for individuals. Beginning with entry-level safety and operational awareness, and generic installation training, individuals can then undertake separate road safety barrier type training. For each of the road safety barrier types, associated proprietary-specific road safety barrier system training is also provided.

Lantra has developed the training and accreditation material for ASHTAS and is responsible, along with its approved training providers, for operationally delivering ASHTAS. Visit the Lantra website for details about approved training providers.

More info on ASHTAS along with jurisdictional adoption can be found at Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS)

Are you ready for the 3G network shutdown?

Between December 2023 and September 2024, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone will close their 3G networks to make room for new, faster services. The 3G network shutdown will affect vital equipment and services and the road transport sector is urged to start their transition immediately.

At a webinar hosted by TCA and Austroads in September 2023, the Isaac Regional Council urged other councils and government organisations to be proactive in managing their fleet and upgrading to 4G.

“…We did this early to ensure that there would be no risk of stock availability and/or the possible impact of having to pull our fleet off the road at the last minute to accommodate the necessary changes,” the council’s statement said.

To learn more about the 3G shutdown and how you can best prepare for it, watch a recording of the webinar here

New Austroads technical specifications on bridgeworks published

Austroads has released ten new technical specifications that set out the requirements for the design and construction of various elements related to bridgeworks.

These specifications detail essential guidance related to the use of structural members, fibre reinforced polymer bridge members, concrete, void formers, bridge barriers, galvanization and painting linked to bridgeworks.

The new release of technical specifications includes:

“Produced in consultation with industry and all jurisdictions, the release of the additional ten Austroads Technical Specifications provides valuable guidance that standardises construction requirements across Australia and New Zealand,” said Ross Guppy, Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager.

Read more and download the new technical specifications here

NSW Movement and Place Framework Training Course

Do you design, deliver or manage our roads, streets and public spaces? Are you interested in learning about taking a Movement and Place approach in your planning projects? Then check out the popular NSW Movement and Place Framework training course facilitated by the University of Technology Sydney.

The one-day workshop takes the theory of the framework presented in the eLearning modules and develops practical skills to apply the principles on a local street. The workshop is a great opportunity to collaborate with peers and colleagues across the industry and find ways to improve community outcomes.

24 November | Parramatta
7 December | Parkes
15 December | Milsons Point
2 February | Sydney CBD
22 February | Parramatta
21 March | Milsons Point
11 April | Sydney CBD
10 May | Parramatta
30 May | Sydney CBD
20 June | Milsons Point

These are the final training offerings so, register today before this opportunity disappears.

New technical specifications and test methods for pavement available

Austroads has published new technical specifications for the supply of pavement materials and the application of road surface treatments, and new and updated test methods for the design, production and placement of asphalt and spray seal pavements.

New technical specifications ATS 3125, ATS 3130 and ATS 3135 outline the requirements for the supply of fillers, coarse and fine aggregate, and reclaimed asphalt pavement material used in the manufacture of asphalt. Technical specifications ATS 3465 and ATS 3466 focus on the supply and application of coloured and high friction pavement surface treatments.

Download technical specifications:

Download test methods:

Read more and download the new technical specifications here

Update to Transport for New South Wales' Design of Roads and Streets manual

The Design of Roads and Streets manual aims to improve our design of roads and streets by filling a gap in guidance and supporting other more general design resources such as Austroads Guides, Australian Standards, and Global Street Design Guides.

This update to the guidance considers:

Around 80% of roads and streets in NSW are local streets
Current standards and guidelines don't always address the needs of local streets
NSW councils need standards and guidance more suited to a local context and environment

Transport for New South Wales are working with stakeholders across government, councils and the private sector to continue the development of this manual. Here are a few ways you can get involved in this process:

Share what you think of the current version of the manual by completing this short survey
Send the team case studies or ideas to improve the content
Register your interest to test the application of new content

If you have questions, please get in touch with the team at Transport for New South Wales.

New specifications for safety management systems, earthworks and subsurface drainage released

Austroads has delivered four new technical specifications detailing requirements for safety management systems, materials used in the construction of earthworks, subsurface drainage, as well as requirements for the installation of horizontal drains.

The newly released technical specifications are:

“These technical specifications have been developed to provide clear, concise and actionable guidance in line with contemporary construction practice,” said Ross Guppy, Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager.

Read more and download the new technical specifications here

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.

Northern Territory Transition to Temporary Traffic Management National Training | Register Thursday 16 November 2023, 4:30pm AEDT The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics are holding a webinar to update industry on the Northern Territory’s transition to the National Training Framework Temporary Traffic Management (NTFTTM). Industry and individuals currently working in Temporary Traffic Management roles, or associated with the Temporary Traffic Management industry are encouraged to attend to understand the changes being implemented in February 2024. Transitional arrangements being implemented by the Department with the intention of minimising the impact to industry, will be explained for existing Northern Territory Work Zone Traffic Management qualifications transitioning to the national training.

Use of a Driving Simulator to Assess Driver Response to the NorthConnex Tunnel Design Features | Register
Tuesday 5 December 2023, 1pm AEDT
Come along to a webinar discussing the validation of the UNSW driving simulator as a means of assessing road tunnel design features, and the use of that simulator to test driver response to the design features included in NorthConnex. The presenters will explain the logic of the trial methodology, whereby the driving behaviour of trial participants was assessed in the actual tunnel as well as in the simulated tunnel – the latter both with the design features included and with the features excluded.

Recent webinar recordings

Austroads Vehicle Classification Scheme – Measuring Active Transport

Austroads Vehicle Classification Scheme – Light Vehicles

Austroads Vehicle Classification Scheme – Heavy Vehicles

Minimum Requirements for Traffic Signs, Traffic Signals and Line Markings

View past webinars

Austroads tenders and project opportunities

NEG6441 Travel to Schools. Closing 4pm AEDT, Wednesday 15 November 2023.
APT6154 Laboratory validation of the rejuvenator assessment protocol. Closing 4pm AEDT, Wednesday 22 November 2023.
CAV6426 Guidelines for implementing EV charging in remote and rural areas. Closing 4pm AEDT, Tuesday 5 December 2023
NEG6448 Managing Transport Management Centre workplace hazards relating to fatigue and psychosocial hazards. Closing 4pm AEDT, Wednesday 11 December 2023.

Find out more.

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 have open positions for:

Program Lead – AusRAP
Executive Assistant – Austroads
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Senior Business Analyst

Find out more.

BITRE research

BITRE's monthly bulletin contains current counts and summaries of road crash deaths and fatal road crashes in Australia. Data are sourced from the road traffic or police authorities in each jurisdiction.

You can also view monthly updated road safety statistics and an Australian Road Deaths Database.

Upcoming industry events

Event organisers are carefully reviewing their arrangements to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please be aware that details may change at short notice.

IRTENZ Convention, Hamilton, NZ, 14-16 November 2023

Australasian Transport Research Forum, Perth, 29 November - 1 December 2023