Road Safety
- Publication no: AP-R743-25
- ISBN: 978-1-922994-95-0
- Published: 10 October 2025
- PDF (free) Download
Austroads’ Charting a Path to Eliminating Road Death and Serious Injury project aims to support jurisdictions in eliminating road deaths and serious injuries through a structured, evidence-based approach.
This report focuses on Stream 2, which builds on the Planning for Zero Framework (the Framework) developed in Stream 1. The objective of Stream 2 is to demonstrate how jurisdictions can apply the Framework through the development of Pathways to Zero and the creation of supporting communication, engagement, change management, and training materials.
Key recommendations from Stream 2 emphasise the need for jurisdictions to fully adopt the Framework, integrate it into long-term transport and government planning, and develop jurisdiction specific Pathways to Zero. The report underscores the importance of quantifying co-benefits, implementing comprehensive communication strategies, prioritising change management, and developing targeted training programs to enhance capacity building.
The report has 3 key sections:
- a Strategic Leadership Briefing for senior decision makers,
- a technical guide for practitioners detailing the steps for developing Pathways to Zero, and
- a toolkit of practical resources for implementing Pathways to Zero.
- Summary
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Purpose
- 1.2 Scope
- 1.3 Methodology
- 1.4 How to use this report
- 2. Strategic Leadership Briefing
- 3. Charting Pathways to Zero: The Planning for Zero Framework
- 3.1 The 5 technical steps
- 3.2 The enabling aspects
- 4. Developing Pathways to Zero
- 4.1 Summary of jurisdictional maturity level and needs assessment in developing Pathways to Zero
- 4.2 Recommendations for Pathways to Zero actions
- 4.3 FAQs to support development of Pathways to Zero
- 4.4 Technical notes to support development of Pathways to Zero
- 5. Engage Stakeholders to Communicate Pathways to Zero
- 5.1 The importance of stakeholder engagement for Planning for Zero Framework implementation
- 5.2 The Pathways to Zero engagement strategy
- 5.3 The importance of engagement
- 5.4 A 7-step approach to engagement
- 5.5 The communications material plan for Pathways to Zero
- 5.6 Key messages
- 6. Train to Implement Pathways to Zero
- 6.1 The importance of training for Planning for Zero Framework implementation
- 6.2 Identify stakeholders that require training
- 6.3 Develop and plan training using the training curriculum framework
- 6.4 Implement training – case study examples
- 6.5 Evaluate and monitor your training approach
- 7. Manage Road Safety to Effect Change
- 7.1 Approach
- 7.2 Findings
- 7.3 Recommendations for driving societal and organisational change for Pathways to Zero
- 7.4 Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- 8. Conclusions and Recommendations
- 8.1 Conclusions
- 8.2 Recommendations
- Appendix A Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Appendix B Technical Note: Road Safety Data
- B.1 Road safety data
- B.2 Types of road safety data
- B.3 Data needs for in-depth trauma modelling
- B.4 Uses of road safety data
- B.5 The importance of setting targets
- B.6 Safety performance indicators (SPIs)
- B.7 Accountability and transparency when setting targets and SPIs
- B.8 How do we get started
- Appendix C Technical Note: Embedding the Pathway to Zero Framework in Road Safety Strategies
- C.1 The Planning for Zero Framework
- C.1.1 Technical aspects
- C.1.2 Enabling aspects
- C.2 Key terms
- C.3 Road safety strategies
- Appendix D Technical Note: Local Application of Safe System End States
- D.1 Purpose
- D.2 Background
- D.3 Safe System Boundary Conditions
- D.4 Role of Infrastructure
- D.5 Development of Safe System End States
- D.6 Relationship with functional classification
- D.7 Need for local SSES
- D.8 Principles for a 2050 SSES
- D.8.1 Rural roads
- D.9 Current challenges and gaps
- D.10 Urban roads
- D.11 Connectors
- D.12 Activity streets
- D.13 Local streets
- D.14 Pedestrian priority areas
- D.15 Mapping SSES to road networks
- D.16 Reviewing functional classifications
- D.16.1 Pathway to SSES
- D.16.2 Safe System treatment hierarchy
- D.16.3 Short term prioritisation options
- Appendix E Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- E.1 Planning for engagement
- E.2 Engagement Strategy supporting materials
- E.2.1 Web pages
- E.2.2 Case studies
- E.2.3 Infographics
- E.2.4 Webinars
- E.2.5 Presentations
- E.2.6 Fact sheets
- E.2.7 Myth busting
- E.2.8 Interactive tools
- E.2.9 Letters
- E.2.10 Surveys
- E.2.11 Reports
- Appendix F Training
Austroads’ literature review of hazard perception tests identifies what makes these tests effective, with a particular focus on novice drivers. It shows that the ability to anticipate and respond to hazards is a critical skill linked to safer driving and reduced crash risk.