About the project
The Austroads project NEG6440: Proof of Concept for the Austroads-23 Vehicle Classification Scheme is designed to provide road managers with more accurate and meaningful insights into how road networks are used by a diverse range of vehicles and active users. Since the project commenced, the scope and approach have evolved in response to stakeholder feedback and technical constraints. This update provides an overview of the project’s current direction and outlines opportunities for industry engagement as we move forward.
Evolving focus
Initial engagement with industry and the market took place in late 2023 and early 2024, with a focus on validating and evolving the Austroads-23 scheme. However, challenges encountered during the early stages prompted a strategic reassessment of how best to deliver on project objectives and meet the needs of Austroads members.
A turning point came with a survey conducted in December 2024, which received over 350 responses from government and industry stakeholders. These insights played a key role in reshaping the project’s direction and ensuring it remains focused on user needs.
What we learned from the survey
Key findings from the 2024 survey and related engagement activities include:
- Strong demand for detailed vehicle classification data.
Stakeholders value standardisation for comparability across jurisdictions and time, but also seek flexibility—avoiding unnecessary complexity in all use cases. - Need for better representation of active users.
There is a clear appetite to move beyond a single aggregated category and reflect the diversity of active transport modes with greater nuance at the top level of the scheme. - Concerns with Austroads-23 dimensional/speed-based classifications.
These criteria did not always align with stakeholder expectations. Many respondents preferred alternatives such as visual identification or alignment with regulatory definitions. - Complementary strengths of axle-based and video-based classification.
Axle-based systems offer consistency and are well-established in transport planning. Video-based systems allow for visual distinctions (e.g. passenger vs commercial vehicles), which many users value. Combining these methods in a single framework requires a carefully differentiated approach.
Concept scheme architecture
The emerging concept scheme architecture is a modular, technology-agnostic framework that reflects feedback from government and industry stakeholders. It is a working concept, not a final product, and will continue to evolve as the project progresses.
At its core is the proposed Austroads-26 classification scheme, which is structured into foundational and optional components:
- CORE: Defines the primary vehicle and active user classes.
- LENGTH: A fallback option used only where axle data is unavailable (considered a less preferred approach).
- PLUS components: Modular extensions that allow for additional classification detail, including:
- Extended Axle – more granular axle-based distinctions
- Visual – appearance-based classifications
- Additional – specialised labels or features
This modular structure supports flexibility and interoperability. Users can adopt the components most relevant to their operational context, while maintaining consistency across systems and jurisdictions.
Key design principles
- Defined by logic, not technology
The scheme specifies what is being classified—such as axle configuration, vehicle length, or visual attributes—but does not prescribe how classification must be achieved. Earlier terminology that implied specific sensing technologies will be revised in future drafts. - Continuity with past schemes
Vehicle classification remains grounded in axle count and spacing, consistent with Austroads-94 and Austroads-23. - Length-based fallback remains available
Where axle data is unavailable, LENGTH classes provide a secondary method of classification. This fallback does not replace the CORE but supplements it in specific contexts. - Support for visual classification
Some CORE and PLUS classes, particularly for active users and vehicle function, will be defined using visual characteristics. These will be supported by plain-language descriptions and an accompanying image library to aid clarity and consistency.
This approach enables a range of classification products—each with different strengths and capabilities—to deliver meaningful, consistent data across varied environments.
Further detail on each component can be found here.
Frequently asked questions
Industry input remains critical to developing a practical and effective classification scheme. Early in the project, we invited expressions of interest for an Industry Reference Group to support collaborative engagement. However, this group was not established due to:
- A narrower-than-expected response from industry, with many stakeholders preferring to contribute via individual interviews.
- A preference by the project consultant at the time for one-on-one engagement, which unfortunately was not completed before the project was re-scoped.
Looking ahead, Austroads is committed to re-engaging with industry through targeted interviews and other meaningful forms of dialogue.
Adoption of the new scheme will be voluntary and is expected to occur gradually, as road agencies and other users assess its alignment with their operational needs.
Some existing products may be able to support the new scheme through firmware updates or configuration changes. Others may choose to implement selected components of the new scheme while continuing to support Austroads-94 or other proprietary classification systems. The new scheme is designed to support this flexibility.
A phased release is planned, starting with the CORE component—which covers foundational classifications for vehicles and active users—in late 2026 or early 2027. This will be followed by PLUS extensions that offer additional granularity.
Austroads is the publisher of the classification scheme but does not certify or endorse classification products. The decision to adopt or implement the scheme rests with individual users.
We understand that some suppliers may wish to begin preparing products ahead of publication. However, Austroads does not currently have a process for issuing pre-release drafts. Due to internal approval processes, materials are only considered final once formally published.
Some draft materials—such as the current concept architecture—may be made available for discussion and feedback, but these remain subject to change and should not be considered final or endorsed.
The concept scheme architecture is intentionally modular to allow a range of products to contribute meaningfully, even if they don’t implement every classification element.
Examples of potential product capabilities aligned to user needs might include:
- CORE vehicle classes
- CORE vehicle classes + PLUS axle classes
- CORE active user classes
- Full CORE: both vehicle and active user classes
- CORE active user + PLUS visual active user labels
- LENGTH-based vehicle classes + PLUS visual vehicle labels
- CORE vehicle classes + PLUS visual vehicle labels
Agencies may deploy different combinations at different locations depending on their operational priorities. The scheme has been designed to support this flexibility without requiring all products to support all features.
Importantly, the scheme does not preclude any product or technology from achieving full compatibility. However, it is not constrained by a requirement that any single product must be able to implement the entire scheme.
Austroads is currently evaluating tenders for the next phase of project delivery. Engagement during this phase will be led by the appointed consultant.
While the previously proposed Industry Reference Group will not be pursued, we are committed to continuing meaningful consultation with industry through interviews and targeted engagement activities.
Suppliers and other interested parties are encouraged to contact the project manager to express interest in future consultation opportunities. Industry insights have significantly shaped the project to date, and we’re keen to continue the conversation.
