RoadWatch: Roundup
October 2020
Welcome to our monthly Austroads RoadWatch: Roundup for October. Discover our latest news, published reports, Guide updates, webinars and events.
Help us shape the National Prequalification Scheme for Temporary Traffic Management
Austroads is calling for industry representatives to take part in the design of the National Prequalification Scheme for Temporary Traffic Management.
As part of the work to nationally harmonise Temporary Traffic Management practice, Austroads is seeking nominations from industry representatives to take part in the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Consultative Group (TTMICG).
This forum will bring together Austroads member agencies and industry representatives to discuss the detailed design of the National Prequalification Scheme for Temporary Traffic Management. This will include the criteria for prequalification, application process, transition into operations of the scheme, and impacts on industry.
If you are interested in participating in the TTMICG, please click on the button below to complete a nominations questionnaire by COB Friday 23 October 2020.
Complete questionnaire by 23 October 2020
Road marking practice to support new and future vehicles
Austroads has published a report examining how the design and maintenance of road markings can impact the performance of advanced driver assistance systems and future automated vehicles.
John Wall, Austroads’ Future Vehicles and Technology Program Manager, says automated vehicles will not be on our roads for some time, but there is a growing range of vehicles with automated-steering functions that rely on road markings to position the vehicle on the road.
This project recommends improvements to design guidelines for continuity lines, exit ramps and intersections and to maintenance practices to ensure the benefits of this new technology can be fully realised for the community.
Read more | Download the report
Wednesday, 21 October 1-2 pm AEDT | Register now
Join report authors, Julien Marr, April Zhang, Scott Benjamin and John Wall, to learn more about findings of the research and the future changes road agencies can make to optimise road design, maintenance and operation for automated vehicles.
Consistently measuring and weighing special purpose vehicles
Austroads has published a guideline for measuring and weighing special purpose vehicles (SPV) in Australia and New Zealand.
Within Australasia Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), also known as mobile plant in New Zealand, are routinely measured and weighed differently depending on the jurisdiction completing the measuring and weighing.
This project provides a set of harmonised procedures which can be applied uniformly in all jurisdictions, leading to increased safety for the public and reducing the risk of damage to the road infrastructure.
Read more | Download the report
Thursday, 5 November 1-2 pm AEDT | Register now
Join Richard Jakimowicz and Saizo Takeushi to learn about the new procedures for supervised measuring and weighing of SPVs.
Producing long-lasting road surfaces
Austroads has published the findings of inspections and binder ageing performance studies associated with two sprayed seal trial sites constructed near Coober Pedy in South Australia and Cooma in New South Wales.
The sites were established to evaluate the performance of seals constructed using various grades of polymer modified binders (PMBs), from their placement through to long-term service.
The findings of this research will help ensure Australasian test methods and technical specifications are robust and performance based, and validate models and calculations used in pavement design.
Read more | Download the report
Tuesday, 17 November 1-2 pm AEDT | Register now
Join Young Choi, Steve Patrick and John Esnouf to learn more about the findings of the research.
Improved guidance on interrupted traffic flow theory
Austroads has published a report that proposes improvements to the technical guidance on interrupted traffic flow theory in Part 2 and Part 3 of the Guide to Traffic Management.
The primary purpose of the project was to update guidance on existing topics and emerging best Australasian practice relating to interrupted traffic flow.
Report co-author, Mark Plattz, says that the updates will broaden practitioners’ understanding of interrupted traffic flow theory to optimise the use of their existing road network and effectively manage traffic congestion.
Read more | Download the report
Thursday, 3 December 1-2 pm AEDT | Register now
Join Young Choi, Steve Patrick and John Esnouf to learn more about the findings of the research.
Automating access decision making to improve freight productivity
Austroads has published a scoping study assessing the feasibility of developing a National Heavy Vehicle Bridge Assessment System.
The study describes what the system could look like and the benefits it would deliver. It also recommends a more detailed options evaluation be undertaken to support future investment and implementation decisions. Austroads will launch this detailed options evaluation as part of its upcoming project NEF6274, approved by its Board in July 2020.
Read more | Download the study
Austroads’ finalist in ITS Australia’s Connected and Automated Vehicle Award
Austroads has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ITS Australia’s Connected and Automated Vehicle Award.
The shortlisting recognises the value of an audit specification published last year that details a new way to measure the readiness of road networks to support automated driving on freeways and highways.
John Wall, Austroads’ Future Vehicles and Technology Program Manager says the ability of physical and digital infrastructure to support automated driving will directly impact the scale and timing of the deployment of vehicles equipped with this life-saving technology.
Read more | Download the audit specification
PIARC Performance of Transport Administrators Technical Committee meetings summary
Thirty one participants from 22 countries attended virtual meetings held by PIARC (World Road Association)’s Technical Committee 1.1 – Performance of Transport Administrations – from 21 to 25 September 2020.
Main Roads Western Australia’s Acting Executive Director Strategy and Communications Alan Colegate participated in the meetings in his role as the English-speaking Secretary and as one of three Working Group leaders.
In this summary Alan Colegate outlines the activities undertaken during the meetings and their outcomes.
Upcoming Austroads webinars
There is no charge for our webinars, but registration is essential. It will allow us to send you a link to the recording if you can’t make the live session.
Implications of Pavement Markings for Machine Vision | Register
Wednesday 21 October 2020, 1 pm AEDT
Learn about the outcomes of the Austroads research project that examined how longitudinal pavement markings affect automated steering functions and how existing design and maintenance practices could be improved.
Harmonisation of Measurement and Mass Assessment Procedures for Special Purpose Vehicles in Australasia | Register
Thursday 5 November 2020, 1 pm AEDT
Join our report authors to hear about the proposal to harmonise the way special purpose vehicles are measured and weighed, and the benefits the procedures can bring to the road infrastructure, road operators and the SPV industry.
Outcomes from the Long-term Austroads Sprayed Seal Sites | Register
Tuesday, 17 November 1 pm AEDT
Recent inspections of two sprayed seal trial sites has provided new insight into the ageing properties of polymer modified binders and their effects on the life of sprayed seal surfacings. Join the researchers for an overview of their findings.
Improved Guidance on Interrupted Traffic Flow Theory | Register
Broaden your knowledge of Interrupted Traffic Flow Theory and emerging best practice in the assessment of simple and complex traffic scenarios in Australia and New Zealand.
Latest webinar recordings
Recent research
Keeping Australian roads safe remotely
Standards Australia has published a report that outlines requirements for the design, construction and performance of electronic speed signs, including the use of LEDs when changing the speed remotely.
AS 5156:2020 Electronicspeed limit signs comes as COVID-19 border restrictions are lifting across the country and individuals and families are hitting the road again. “With speed being such a high contributor to accidents, it is important electronic speed limit signs consistently perform and can be adjusted depending on the road conditions,” said Roland Terry-Lloyd, Head of Standards Development at Standards Australia.
For more information visit the Standards Australia website.
BITRE: Road deaths Australia
This monthly bulletin contains current counts and summaries of road crash deaths and fatal road crashes in Australia. It is published on BITRE’s website on or around the 14th of each month. 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.
CPEE’s online asset management course to kick off in 2021
Enrolments are now open for Australia’s only online, industry-designed qualification course in asset management. The Graduate Certificate in Asset Management is being offered from Semester One 2021 by the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (CPEE), and comprehensively covers all aspects of practice across a range of asset categories, not just roads.
For more information on this and other online courses, visit the CPEE website or email contactus@pavementeducation.edu.au.
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.
Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) Webinar – Use of Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) in Precast Segmental Tunnel Linings in Asia – Focus on QA/QC, 19 October 2020, 12 – 1 pm
ATS Webinar – Large Diameter EPB Operation to Control Settlement, 23 October 2020, 1-2 pm
2020 SPARC Hub Smart Pavements Virtual Workshop (online), 19-20 November 2020
2021 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting (online), January 2021
IABSE Congress, Christchurch, 3-5 February 2021
17th ITS Asia Pacific Forum, Brisbane, 12-15 April 2021
Australasian Tunnelling Conference, Melbourne, May 2021
AITPM National Traffic and Transport Conference, Brisbane, 27-30 July 2021
AAPA 2021 International Flexible Pavements Symposium “Roads going full circle” (online), 3-14 August 2021
IPWEA International Public Works Conference, Adelaide, 15-19 August 2021
2021 Australasian Road Safety Conference, Melbourne, 28-30 September 2021
