Cover of Guide to Road Design Part 6B: Roadside Environment
Guide to Road Design Part 6B: Roadside Environment
  • Publication no: AGRD06B-26
  • ISBN: 978-1-923617-43-8
  • Published: 26 June 2026
  • Edition: 2.2

Guide to Road Design Part 6B: Roadside Environmentcontains information on the components of roadside areas that may need to be accommodated within a road reserve. These components include environmental aspects such as fauna management and noise control, and landscaping, road furniture including signs, poles, fencing and lighting. There is also information about off-street car parking and the placement and allocation of space for utility services.

Summary report

A summary of the changes in the current edition is outlined in the report Updates to Austroads Guide to Road Design: Parts 1, 3, 4, 4A, 6, 6A, 6B and 7 (AP-R766-26).

Edition 2.2 published June 2026

  • Edition 2.2 contains minor editorial and technical changes to Section 3.3.1, Section 3.3.2, Table 2.1 and Table 4.1.

Superseded editions:

Edition 2.1 published February 2021

Edition 2.0 published July 2015

Edition 1.0 published August 2009

  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope of this Part
      • 1.2.1 Providing for a Safe System
    • 1.3 Design Objectives
    • 1.4 Factors to be considered
      • 1.4.1 Ecologically Sustainable Development
      • 1.4.2 Other Important Considerations
  • 2. Environmental Aspects
    • 2.1 Stormwater Run-off
      • 2.1.1 Drainage Considerations
      • 2.1.2 Water Quality
      • 2.1.3 Erosion Control
    • 2.2 Fauna Management
      • 2.2.1 Protection of Habitats
      • 2.2.2 Fauna Crossings
      • 2.2.3 Exclusion or Guide Fencing
    • 2.3 Noise Control
      • 2.3.1 General
      • 2.3.2 Pavement Surface Types
      • 2.3.3 Noise Barriers
  • 3. Roadside Amenity
    • 3.1 Urban and Regional Design
    • 3.2 Visual Amenity
      • 3.2.1 General
      • 3.2.2 Development and Retention of Views
      • 3.2.3 Scenic Lookouts
    • 3.3 Landscaping
      • 3.3.1 General
      • 3.3.2 Safety
      • 3.3.3 Design Considerations
      • 3.3.4 Landscaping Specific Situations
    • 3.4 Rest Facilities
      • 3.4.1 Need for Rest Facilities
      • 3.4.2 Road Design Considerations for Rest Areas and Service Centres
      • 3.4.3 Siting of Service Centres and Rest Areas
      • 3.4.4 Design of Service Centres and Rest Areas
      • 3.4.5 Signage
  • 4. Roadside Infrastructure
    • 4.1 Road Furniture
      • 4.1.1 Introduction
      • 4.1.2 Signs, Markings and Delineation
      • 4.1.3 Poles
      • 4.1.4 Traffic Signal Pedestals
      • 4.1.5 Supports for Road Signs
      • 4.1.6 Fences
    • 4.2 Road Lighting
      • 4.2.1 Purpose and Need
      • 4.2.2 Road Safety Benefits
      • 4.2.3 Relevant Australian and New Zealand Standards
      • 4.2.4 Warrants for Lighting
      • 4.2.5 Road Lighting Design
      • 4.2.6 Key design objectives
      • 4.2.7 Evaluation of Alternative Layouts
      • 4.2.8 Specific Design Considerations
      • 4.2.9 Bridge Lighting
      • 4.2.10 Railway Crossings
    • 4.3 Emergency/Help Telephones
      • 4.3.1 General
      • 4.3.2 Purpose and Need
      • 4.3.3 Location
      • 4.3.4 Design Considerations
    • 4.4 Off-street Parking
      • 4.4.1 Introduction
      • 4.4.2 Design Principles
      • 4.4.3 Classification of Off-street Parking Facilities
      • 4.4.4 Interface with Roads
      • 4.4.5 Car Parking Area Layout Design
      • 4.4.6 Parking for Large Vehicles
      • 4.4.7 Motorcycle Parking
      • 4.4.8 Bicycle Parking Facilities
    • 4.5 Utilities
      • 4.5.1 General
      • 4.5.2 Industry Codes of Practice
      • 4.5.3 Allocation of Space
  • References
  • Appendix A Examples of Post Selection Charts and Sign Support Gantries