Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for August
RoadWatch: Roundup
August 2024
Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for August. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.
Austroads to host international workshop on road tunnel sustainability in September
Austroads will host an international workshop on “Lifecycle Interventions to Lift Road Tunnel Sustainability”, in collaboration with PIARC, the World Road Association and Transport for New South Wales. The event will take place on Thursday, 26 September 2024, from 9 am to 5 pm AEST, in Sydney, Australia.
The workshop will bring together leading international experts in road tunnel operations, maintenance, and project delivery. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful panel discussions, learn from keynote presentations, and participate in networking sessions designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the transport industry.
This workshop presents a unique opportunity for professionals in road infrastructure to deepen their understanding of sustainable practices in tunnel management and to connect with peers and thought leaders from around the world.
Read more | Register
Austroads Safety Hardware Training and Accreditation Scheme (ASHTAS) marks major milestone
More than 1,000 people have now completed best practice roadside barrier design, installation and maintenance training as part of the ASHTAS initiative managed by Austroads.
Geoff Allan, Austroads Chief Executive, congratulated trainers, trainees and the participating road and transport agencies on the milestone.
“Lantra and its approved training providers are delivering a high standard of training. The commitment of Safe System Solutions and Roading Industry Support Services, Australia and New Zealand’s first approved training providers, has resulted in more than 1,000 trained operatives delivering services that will help keep people safe on our roads.”
For detailed information, including jurisdictions mandating ASHTAS, visit the Austroads website below.
Read more
Austroads partners with MATTR to preview the future of Digital Trust Services in Australia
Austroads and MATTR recently announced that they are partnering to deliver Austroads National Digital Trust Service (DTS), which will have the ability to support multiple types of digital credentials. The DTS will provide critical digital infrastructure to support Australian jurisdictions in delivering Mobile Drivers Licences (mDL).
Austroads is establishing a DTS, enabling mDLs to be securely verified anywhere, at any time. MATTR will work closely with Austroads to power the first stage of the project, a pre-production version of the DTS, based on the MATTR VII platform. The DTS will act as the root of trust for the mDL ecosystem across Australia, ensuring that mDLs can be verified regardless of the issuing jurisdiction or location by relying parties anywhere in the world.
“This partnership with MATTR marks a significant milestone in the harmonisation of the digital credential landscape in Australia and supports secure and privacy-preserving validation of digital credentials in line with open international standards,” said Dr Geoff Allan, Chief Executive of Austroads. “This is the first step towards a high trust, high assurance digital ecosystem as we continue to advance the global interoperability of our Digital Trust Service.”
Key findings on the management of overseas licensed heavy vehicle drivers
On behalf of its eight state and territory member agencies, in mid-2024 Austroads sought industry and community input on the management of overseas licensed heavy vehicle drivers. More than 1,900 individuals responded to the survey which closed on 12 July 2024. Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Road Safety and Design Program Manager, thanks all participants for the time they took to respond to the survey and provide their thoughts.
State and territory licensing regulators will be presented with the findings of the survey, as well as information gained from a number of industry interviews.
Based on the issues raised, the findings paper includes a discussion on potential areas for policy change. Options supported by states and territories for further investigation will need to be more substantively assessed. Legislative change may be required to implement most policy changes and this change is subject to processes of community and government scrutiny and oversight.
Austroads will keep industry updated after states and territories have determined next steps.
New guidance to lower the frequency and severity of distraction-related crashes
Austroads has published new guidance aimed at reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Australian and New Zealand roads caused by driver distraction.
Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Road Safety and Design Program Manager said driver distraction has primarily been perceived as a behavioural issue.
“Driver distraction is often viewed as something drivers do intentionally, like looking at their phone or making a call, but this is not the whole story.
This publication is a part of a much larger long-term plan from Austroads. Austroads will continue to conduct research into this area, helping jurisdictions put an end to distracted driving. A mailing list has been set up for people interested in keeping up to date with the work and research Austroads will continue to do in this area. Subscribe here.
Austroads Board Communiqué
The Austroads Board met on 31 July 2024 in Darwin, Northern Territory. The meeting was chaired by Louise McCormick, Infrastructure Commissioner, Infrastructure NT, Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics Northern Territory.
The Board Communique, which summarises issues discussed, is now available on the Austroads website.
Recent webinar recordings
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 tenders and project opportunities
- AAM6160 Updating the Assessment of Remaining Service Life of Pavements. Closing 4 pm, Monday 2 September 2024.
CAV6428 Design Principles for Roads and Infrastructure for Future Mobility Solutions. Closing 4 pm, Monday 2 September 2024.
APT6124 Laboratory Testing Protocol for Specifying the Use of Liquid Anti-stripping Additives in Asphalt Mixes. Closing 4 pm, Monday 9 September 2024.
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 open positions for:
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
Megatrans, 18 - 19 September, Melbourne
International Workshop on Lifecycle Interventions to Lift Road Tunnel Sustainability, 26 September, Macquarie Park, NSW
10th International Interoperability Test Event (IVC24 Interop), 3 – 5 October, Sydney
12th Austroads Bridge Conference (2025), 25 – 27 June 2025, Brisbane
