Austroads: Transport Research and Trends

The asphalt industry is rapidly evolving, and it is widely accepted that prescriptive specifications are not necessarily well suited to take full advantage of the benefits that new and innovative technologies can provide. There is therefore a desire to develop a national performance-based asphalt specification that would allow asset owners and asphalt suppliers to take full advantage of the enhanced performance characteristics of current and emerging asphalt technologies.

This webinar, presented by Joe Grobler, provides an overview of a recently completed Austroads project undertaken to harmonise test methods used in asphalt performance specifications. The project developed three new Austroads asphalt test methods and updated several existing methods for use in future performance-based specifications.

The project also collated available flexural modulus, fatigue resistance and permanent deformation resistance test data of locally manufactured asphalt mixes to inform the future development of these performance limits.

The presenter talks about the background to the new test methods and the indicative performance limits established for modulus, fatigue and permanent deformation resistance.

This work builds on the results of the previous Austroads project that developed a national performance-based asphalt specification framework.

Trials of automated vehicle (AV) technology are undertaken to research and develop the technology, understand the supporting regulatory and operational frameworks required, and prepare for wide-scale adoption of the technology. Governments across Australia and New Zealand have expressed an interest in maximising the value of trials through improved evaluation and knowledge sharing. To meet this need, Austroads has prepared guidance for the evaluation and reporting of AV trials. This guidance seeks to improve consistency in evaluation and reporting as an enabler and contributor to improved knowledge sharing across jurisdictions.

The guidelines set out the three key stages associated with evaluation and reporting. The scoping and planning stage helps with understanding the objectives and purpose of the trial and the associated evaluation, along with developing a plan to reach the evaluation objectives. For the conducting stage, guidance is provided on undertaking the trial, based on the trial plan, with necessary adjustments, to gather and analyse findings. Finally for the reporting and dissemination stage, the guidelines provide advice on reporting on the key findings from the evaluation and disseminating the report broadly.

Austroads has recently completed a project to identify best practice for road tunnel wall panels and finishes to ensure the products achieve performance, access, maintenance, and durability requirements. The best practice research provided through this project aims to add value to tunnel operators over the life cycle of the assets by facilitating ease of maintenance access for regular inspections, and meeting durability requirements.

In this webinar, Tony Peglas and Georgia O’Connor gave an overview of the research undertaken into best practice solutions for road tunnel wall panels and finishes, including outcomes of the stakeholder consultation, a detailed current practice review, a literature review, and the development of specification framework.

The Design Vehicles and Turning Path Templates Guide has been restructured as part of the update of the Guide to Road Design Part 4. This webinar, presented by Noel O’Callaghan and Malcolm Mak, is the fourth session in a four-part series to provide an overview of the update.

The session focuses on new guidance added to the Design Vehicles and Turning Path Templates Guide covering design vehicles versus checking vehicles, performance-based standards, clearances between swept paths, software parameters and a new design vehicle for a passenger vehicle towing a trailer.

Austroads’ recent project has updated the Guide to Road Design (AGRD) Part 4 series. This webinar is the third in a four-part series to provide an overview of the project, including the aim, research background, methodology and outcomes.

This session, presented by Noel O’Callaghan and Malcolm Mak, explains how to implement the changes in AGRD parts 4B and 4C, including mini and radial roundabouts, cyclist treatments, ramp cross section, entry and exit ramps, sight distance, grade separated intersections.

Can motorcycle protective clothing really prevent serious injuries in motorcycle crashes?

Over the past 20 years there have been great advances in the technology of impact and abrasion resistant materials and yet many of the garments currently available will fail under average crash conditions or are too hot to be worn in warm climates. In the absence of effective standards, motorcyclists have had to rely on advertising, brand name or price when buying protective garments.

This webinar traces the research process and evidence that has resulted in the development of an independent testing program to inform consumers as to the performance of currently available motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves. The researchers have also developed a guide for the manufacturers of PPE to ensure their products are fit for purpose.

This webinar describes the mechanisms and limits of motorcyclist’s protective clothing, the prevalence and types of injuries, the limitations of standards, the challenges to manufacturers and road authorities in factoring motorcycle PPE into a safe system.

The webinar is presented by Dr Liz de Rome, the winner of the Women in Road Safety Award presented by Austroads at the 2022 Australasian Road Safety Conference.

The current learner approved motorcycle scheme (LAMS) was introduced in NSW in 2002 to replace the 250cc engine capacity limit for novice riders (i.e., those on learner and provisional licenses) as race replica 250cc motorcycles were over-represented in fatal and serious injury (FSI) crashes. It was subsequently adopted by VIC, QLD, SA, NT, WA, TAS, and New Zealand, albeit with some amendments in some jurisdictions. A formal review of the LAMS has not been performed since its introduction.

This webinar was presented by Dr Tana Tan and provided an overview of the Austroads project that reviewed the LAMS with the aim of bringing it up to date with the latest research and information and ensuring it provides optimal safety outcomes for novice motorcycle riders.

In this episode, Dr Tana Tan and Dr Mario Mongiardini are joined by Jason MacPherson (who moderates the live Q+A) to provide a detailed overview of the findings of Austroads' recent research report, Motorcycle Rider Perceptive Countermeasures. 

Listen, subscribe and head to the Austroads website to find out about how you can register to come to one of our webinars live. Registration is free. 

Austroads’ recent project has updated the Guide to Road Design (AGRD) Part 4 series. This webinar is the second in a four-part series to provide an overview of the project, including the aim, research background, methodology and outcomes.

This session explains how to implement the changes in the AGRD parts 4 and 4A, including pedestrian and railway crossings, horizontal alignment, sight distance, auxiliary lanes, truck acceleration lanes, right turn and left turn treatments.

The webinar is presented by Noel O’Callaghan and Malcolm Mak.

Austroads’ recent project has updated the Guide to Road Design (AGRD) Part 4 series. This webinar is the first in a four-part series to provide an overview of the project, including the aim, research background, methodology and outcomes.

The session outlines the new concepts and content that have been included in AGRD parts 4, 4A, 4B, 4C and the Austroads Design Vehicles and Turning Path Templates Guide.

The webinar is presented by Noel O’Callaghan and Malcolm Mak.