Austroads Technical Specifications
The Austroads Technical Specifications are a comprehensive suite of specifications for the construction of roads and bridges.
The specifications specify requirements for the supply of materials, treatments and infrastructure.
They are published in a numerical sequence relating to their subject matter:
- General (Series 1000)
- Earthworks & Stormwater (Series 2000)
- Pavements (Series 3000)
- Traffic Facilities and Incidental Construction (Series 4000)
- Bridgeworks (Series 5000).
This webinar, presented by Richard Edwards, takes participants through the technical specifications development process and provides an overview of the structure and layout adopted for the specifications.
Why adopt the specifications?
Approximately 1,000 specification documents will be reduced to 100.
A set of uniform technical specifications adopted by Australia and New Zealand will make contract and tendering processes easier for industry and government.
Most Australasian road transport agencies maintain a suite of technical specifications that support road and bridge construction and maintenance. The specifications form part of procurement contracts and refer to unique agency test methods and prequalification schemes.
Different requirements can make it difficult for companies tendering for projects to standardise construction techniques or management processes. This increases costs for contractors. Lack of consistency can also lead to requirements being overlooked or misunderstood which can lead to disputes. Staff working across borders may need additional training to manage the increased risk for contractors.
While jurisdictions may have specific local requirements, many standard technical requirements apply to all roadworks and bridgeworks regardless of the location.
Adopting the Austroads Technical Specifications will:
- save time and money in the long term by delivering efficiencies for industry
- encourage contemporary best-practice road and bridge construction
- reduce training and tendering costs for the road and bridge construction industry
- simplify contract preparation for government agencies
- provide consistent infrastructure quality
- improve industry compliance in the delivery of projects
- reduce the risk of project delivery disputes and encourage consistent skill development for contractors
- allow experts to focus on improvements and adopt new technology
- encourage sustainable levels of technical capability within road agencies to develop and maintain specifications for road infrastructure.
How are the specifications being developed?
The Austroads Technical Advisory Group, made up of a senior representative from each jurisdiction, is overseeing development of the specifications.
Austroads is consulting with industry and all jurisdictions as each specification is developed.
When a new technical specification is developed, existing documents are reviewed first. This includes agencies’ specifications and ANZ Standards. Technical experts in government and private practice are then consulted to determine the best approach for each specification.
How will they be implemented?
The Austroads Technical Specifications will supplement or replace many of the existing road agency specifications. The specifications will still allow for agency specific requirements where appropriate, based on the technical content of existing agency specifications.
All Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions will be responsible for implementing the Austroads Technical Specifications.
Industry will be advised in advance of the implementation plans and phasing-in periods.
Are test methods affected?
Each road agency maintains a suite of test methods for use where there are no appropriate Australian, New Zealand or international standard test methods. As part of the development of the Austroads Technical Specifications, these test methods are reviewed and if appropriate, an Austroads test method will be developed. This will prevent duplication and inconsistencies.
There are four collections of Austroads test methods:
- Asset Management Test Methods (Series AGAM/T)
- Pavement Test Methods:
- Aggregate Test Methods (Series 001-099)
- Binders Test Methods (Series 100-199)
- Bituminous Mixes Test Methods (Series 200-299)
- Pavement Investigation Test Methods (Series 400-499)
- Equipment Test Methods (Series 500-599)
- Cemented Materials Test Methods (Series 600-699)
- Bridge Materials Test Methods (Series 700-799).
- Roadside Furniture and Miscellaneous Test Methods (Series 800-899)
In 2021 the test method collections (AGAM, AGPT and AGBT) will be rationalised into a single collection (ATM).
The specifications and test methods are progressively being released as they are developed.
