Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Austroads has released a new capability framework to support road managers as they navigate the increasingly complex and dynamic landscape of transport network operations in Australia and New Zealand.
The Road Manager Operations Capability Framework outlines the evolving leadership capabilities required in network operations planning and real-time transport management. It recognises that the traditional responsibilities of road managers are expanding, as agencies respond to greater expectations around customer service, movement and place planning, data-informed decision making, and multi-modal management.
“Transport network operations are undergoing rapid change,” said Amy Naulls, Austroads’ Transport Network Operations Program Manager. “As our systems become more sophisticated and our users more diverse, operational leaders need to move beyond technical expertise. They must be able to lead through complexity, respond in real time, and communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences.”
The framework identifies eight essential capabilities, divided into four core areas—communication, stakeholder engagement, leadership, and change management—and four operational areas—network management, incident and event management, system management, and data and insights. Each capability is supported by a detailed skills matrix to help agencies assess current capability and plan for future workforce needs.
As the demands on road managers grow, the framework also highlights the increasing need for skills in navigating contested road space, shifting funding mechanisms, and emerging technologies in data capture and analytics. The traditional career pathway into operational leadership may no longer be sufficient to meet the needs of today’s network challenges.
“This framework supports agencies in tailoring capability development to suit local needs, whether that’s regional corridor management or metropolitan incident response,” said Naulls. “It provides practical guidance to align role descriptions, build team capability and assess workforce proficiency using standardised tools.”
Developed through literature review and consultation with Austroads members, the framework is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing jurisdictions to adopt and adapt it based on their operating environment and strategic goals.
Download AP-R736-25 Road Manager Operations Capability Framework
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