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Connected and Automated Vehicles

Cover of Design Principles for Adapting Roads and Infrastructure for Emerging Mobility Technologies
Design Principles for Adapting Roads and Infrastructure for Emerging Mobility Technologies
  • Publication no: AP-R753-26
  • ISBN: 978-1-923617-48-3
  • Published: 18 March 2026

The purpose of this report is to establish design topics and principles to guide Australasian road agencies in preparing physical and digital infrastructure for emerging mobility technologies. These technologies include automated vehicles (AVs), connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), electric vehicles (EVs), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS).

This report supports safe integration of new vehicle technologies and contributes to ongoing research aimed at building a consistent foundation for future-ready transport networks across Australia and New Zealand.

The methodology involved a comprehensive review of literature, analysis of existing guidance, and engagement with stakeholders. Consultation and research identified priority issues across 2 domains – physical and digital infrastructure – leading to the identification of 24 topic areas. Included in the analysis of each topic area are the challenges, infrastructure considerations, recommended design principles and scope for future research. The report concludes with recommended pathways for applying the principles and an outline of emerging priority areas.

Recognising differing levels of technology maturity and agency readiness, this research also highlights opportunities for guidance development to ensure digital and physical infrastructure remains aligned with technological and operational change across road networks in Australia and New Zealand.

Online tool

Access the online tool to explore design topics by road environment and technology. The tool brings together 135 design principles across 24 topic areas (11 physical, 13 digital).

Webinar

Watch a recording of the webinar to learn more.

  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope
    • 1.3 Methodology
    • 1.4 Terminology
  • 2. Context of Future Mobility Technology and Infrastructure Requirements
    • 2.1 TfNSW literature review
    • 2.2 Existing Austroads and agency guidance
      • 2.2.1 Limitations and gaps
      • 2.2.2 Agency needs
    • 2.3 Potential agency approaches to supporting mobility technologies with road and infrastructure design changes
      • 2.3.1 Spectrum of infrastructure support strategies
      • 2.3.2 Implications for design principles
    • 2.4 Safe System alignment
  • 3. Stakeholder Consultation
    • 3.1 Road agency areas represented
    • 3.2 Stakeholder road and infrastructure design challenges
      • 3.2.1 Physical infrastructure design challenges
      • 3.2.2 Digital infrastructure design challenges
      • 3.2.3 Road and infrastructure design priority topics areas
    • 3.3 Design guidance sources
  • 4. Research Findings – Road and Infrastructure Design Topics
    • 4.1 Physical road and infrastructure design topics
    • 4.2 Digital road and infrastructure design topics
  • 5. Physical Road and Infrastructure Design Topics
    • 5.1 Managing transitions of control (automated to manual) (PT1)
      • 5.1.1 Key challenges
      • 5.1.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.1.3 Related topics
      • 5.1.4 Principles
      • 5.1.5 Future research areas
    • 5.2 Ensuring readability of lane markings and road signage by vehicles (PT2)
      • 5.2.1 Related topics
      • 5.2.2 Principles
      • 5.2.3 Future research areas
    • 5.3 Ensuring compatible road and traffic design for AV navigation and operations (PT3)
      • 5.3.1 Key challenges
      • 5.3.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.3.3 Related topics
      • 5.3.4 Principles
      • 5.3.5 Future research areas
    • 5.4 Maintaining roadway and pavement integrity for AVs and EVs (PT4)
      • 5.4.1 Key challenges
      • 5.4.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.4.3 Related topics
      • 5.4.4 Principles
      • 5.4.5 Future research areas
    • 5.5 Managing mixed traffic interactions with AVs (PT5)
      • 5.5.1 Key challenges
      • 5.5.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.5.3 Related topics
      • 5.5.4 Principles
      • 5.5.5 Future research areas
    • 5.6 Supporting CAV readability of digital roadside signage (PT6)
      • 5.6.1 Key challenges
      • 5.6.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.6.3 Related topics
      • 5.6.4 Principles
      • 5.6.5 Future research areas
    • 5.7 Managing AV interactions with E-scooters, cyclists and personal mobility devices (PT7)
      • 5.7.1 Key challenges
      • 5.7.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.7.3 Related topics
      • 5.7.4 Principles
      • 5.7.5 Future research areas
    • 5.8 Kerbside management for AVs (passenger pick-up, drop-off and automated deliveries) and EVs (PT8)
      • 5.8.1 Key challenges
      • 5.8.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.8.3 Related topics
      • 5.8.4 Principles
      • 5.8.5 Future research areas
    • 5.9 Minimising urban congestion from AV fleet staging, parking and idle circulation (PT9)
      • 5.9.1 Key challenges
      • 5.9.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.9.3 Related topics
      • 5.9.4 Principles
      • 5.9.5 Future research
    • 5.10 Ensuring EV-compatible crash barriers (PT10)
      • 5.10.1 Key challenges
      • 5.10.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.10.3 Related topics
      • 5.10.4 Principles
      • 5.10.5 Future research areas
    • 5.11 Maintenance and asset management for CAV and EV infrastructure (PT11)
      • 5.11.1 Key challenges
      • 5.11.2 Road and infrastructure design considerations
      • 5.11.3 Related topics
      • 5.11.4 Principles
      • 5.11.5 Future research areas
  • 6. Digital Road and Infrastructure Design Topics
    • 6.1 Ensuring CAV awareness of temporary and dynamic traffic conditions (DT1)
      • 6.1.1 Key challenges
      • 6.1.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.1.3 Principles
      • 6.1.4 Future research areas
    • 6.2 Ensuring data accuracy and validation for AV navigation (DT2)
      • 6.2.1 Key challenges
      • 6.2.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.2.3 Related topics
      • 6.2.4 Principles
      • 6.2.5 Future research areas
    • 6.3 Ensuring reliable CAV communications for continuous data exchange (DT3)
      • 6.3.1 Key challenges
      • 6.3.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.3.3 Related topics
      • 6.3.4 Principles
      • 6.3.5 Future research areas
    • 6.4 Protecting CAV and transport data from cybersecurity threats (DT4)
      • 6.4.1 Key challenges
      • 6.4.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.4.3 Related topics
      • 6.4.4 Principles
      • 6.4.5 Future research areas
    • 6.5 Ensuring CAV compliance with dynamic road regulations (DT5)
      • 6.5.1 Key challenges
      • 6.5.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.5.3 Related topics
      • 6.5.4 Principles
      • 6.5.5 Future research areas
    • 6.6 Supporting multimodal and CAV integration (DT6)
      • 6.6.1 Key challenges
      • 6.6.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.6.3 Related topics
      • 6.6.4 Principles
      • 6.6.5 Future research areas
    • 6.7 Ensuring digital resilience and failover mechanisms for CAV operations (DT7)
      • 6.7.1 Key challenges
      • 6.7.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.7.3 Related topics
      • 6.7.4 Principles
      • 6.7.5 Future research areas
    • 6.8 Improving CAV interaction with emergency vehicles and vulnerable road users (DT8)
      • 6.8.1 Key challenges
      • 6.8.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.8.3 Related topics
      • 6.8.4 Principles
      • 6.8.5 Future research areas
    • 6.9 Optimising CAV and EV fleet management and staging (DT9)
      • 6.9.1 Key challenges
      • 6.9.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.9.3 Related topics
      • 6.9.4 Principles
      • 6.9.5 Future research areas
    • 6.10 Integration of CAV and EV operations into smart city and traffic management platforms (DT10)
      • 6.10.1 Key challenges
      • 6.10.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.10.3 Related topics
      • 6.10.4 Principles
      • 6.10.5 Future research areas
    • 6.11 Ensuring real-time EV and electric CAV charging availability and status updates (DT11)
      • 6.11.1 Key challenges
      • 6.11.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.11.3 Related topics
      • 6.11.4 Principles
      • 6.11.5 Future research areas
    • 6.12 Standardising digital road regulations for EV and electric CAV charging zones (DT12)
      • 6.12.1 Key challenges
      • 6.12.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.12.3 Related topics
      • 6.12.4 Principles
      • 6.12.5 Future research areas
    • 6.13 Supporting CAV interpretation and compliance with traffic signal infrastructure (DT13)
      • 6.13.1 Key challenges
      • 6.13.2 Road and Infrastructure design considerations
      • 6.13.3 Related topics
      • 6.13.4 Principles
      • 6.13.5 Future research areas
  • 7. Cross-Cutting Design Considerations
  • 8. Applying the Principles
  • 9. Conclusions and Recommendations
    • 9.1 Recommendations for guidance development and research priorities
      • 9.1.1 Guidance development opportunities
      • 9.1.2 Future Research to Inform Guidance Development
  • References
  • Appendix A Relevant CAV and EV Infrastructure Guidance
  • Appendix B Consultation Findings
    • B.1 Physical infrastructure design challenges raised by agency representatives
    • B.2 Digital infrastructure design challenges raised by agency representatives
    • B.3 Physical infrastructure design priority topic areas
    • B.4 Digital infrastructure design priority topic areas
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