Webinar: Update to the Austroads Guide to Road Design: Addressing Identified Gaps and Inconsistencies – Webinar 2

This webinar presents the outcomes of Austroads research into intersection sight distance, identifying key gaps, inconsistencies, and opportunities for harmonisation across Australian and New Zealand road design guidance. Drawing on an extensive literature review, international best practice, and stakeholder engagement with jurisdictional experts, the project examined the application of sight distance models at signalised and unsignalised intersections for all road users. The webinar will highlight key findings, including inconsistencies in current design approaches, consideration of different transport modes, and the treatment of signal failure scenarios. It will also outline recommendations for updating Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 4A to improve clarity, consistency, safety outcomes, and practitioner decision-making across the road network.

This webinar is presented by Joanna Davies, Sivan Sivanathan and Andrew Baker.

No charge, but registration is essential. Can’t make the live session? Register and you’ll receive a link to the recording. Register now.

Sivan Sivanathan is a Technical Director at BG&E with over 20 years of experience in the planning, design, and delivery of transport infrastructure projects. Drawing on experience across both government and consulting sectors, he brings expertise in road design, multidisciplinary project delivery, and the application of design standards. His expertise spans intersections, interchanges, freeways, highways and road safety barriers, with a focus on developing practical, evidence-based solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and project outcomes. Sivan is also passionate about mentoring engineering teams, fostering technical excellence, and contributing to the advancement of road design practice.

Joanna Davies is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Principal Road Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in road design, road safety, and major transport infrastructure projects across Australia. She is recognised for her expertise in road geometry, Safe System design, road safety auditing, design management, and independent design review, providing strategic technical advice on some of the nation’s most complex and high-profile infrastructure programs.

As a member of the Austroads Road Design Expert Panel, Joanna contributes to the ongoing development of national road design standards and guidance, helping shape best practice in geometric design, road safety, and network planning. Her broad experience spans project planning, concept development, detailed design, research, and technical governance, enabling her to deliver practical and innovative solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and network performance.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and strong technical capability, Joanna is passionate about advancing Vision Zero and Safe System outcomes. She is highly regarded for her ability to solve complex engineering challenges, build stakeholder confidence, and deliver infrastructure solutions that create lasting benefits for communities and road users.