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Cover of Austroads’ Strategic Review of Pedestrian Planning Guidance
Austroads’ Strategic Review of Pedestrian Planning Guidance
  • Publication no: AP-R749-26
  • ISBN: 978-1-923617-16-2
  • Published: 16 January 2026

The purpose of this report is to provide considered research to inform planning for pedestrian movement. The report reviews current guidance within the Austroads Guide to Traffic Management (AGTM) and identifies opportunities to improve it.

The study reviewed all Parts of the AGTM relevant to pedestrian planning and pedestrian infrastructure. The review process included a gap analysis, an assessment against best practice and recommended changes to address the gaps.

Stakeholder consultation found that practice around safety for pedestrians and mobility device users varies between jurisdictions. However, the overriding principle applicable to all jurisdictions is the Safe System approach to road safety. Designing for safe vehicle speeds is a key design feature for a safe environment for all road users, together with designing for safe pedestrian movement along and across the road and street network.

Pedestrian safety is particularly important for those who are often not considered within the design processes. When the diversity of the population is not considered, some pedestrian groups are unable to use parts of the road network, which limits their societal opportunities. For this reason, specific consideration is needed for pedestrians with reduced mobility.

Watch the webinar to learn more:

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope
    • 1.3 Methodology
    • 1.4 Report structure
  • 2. Government, Industry and User Experience Consultations
    • 2.1 Consultation approach
    • 2.2 Themes and issues identified
    • 2.3 Consultation summary – key themes
  • 3. Literature Review
    • 3.1 Safe System
    • 3.2 Universal Design
      • 3.2.1 Demographics
    • 3.3 Movement and Place
    • 3.4 Literature review summary
      • 3.4.1 Developing network-wide pedestrian strategies and plans
      • 3.4.2 Pedestrian access to local destinations
      • 3.4.3 Education and communication strategies
      • 3.4.4 Strategic treatment of signs and lines marking
  • 4. Review of Australian and New Zealand Standards and Road Rules
    • 4.1 Australian and New Zealand standards
    • 4.2 Road rules
  • 5. Review of Existing Austroads Guidance
    • 5.1 Review of Austroads Guide to Traffic Management
    • 5.2 Austroads Guide to Road Design Review
    • 5.3 Austroads Australasian Pedestrian Facility Selection Tool
    • 5.4 Crossing selection aligned with Safe System and Universal Design
      • 5.4.1 Case studies for using the crossing selection
  • 6. Case Studies
  • 7. Conclusions and Next Steps
    • 7.1 Conclusions
    • 7.2 Next steps
  • References
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