About AusRAP
The AusRAP program will coordinate and assist jurisdictions and local government to maximise the road safety trauma reduction in their management of, and investment in, Australian roads. AusRAP is the Australian version of the international Road Assessment Program (iRAP). The responsibility for management of AusRAP was transferred from Australian Automobile Association to Austroads in 2021.
Our mission: An Australia free of high-risk roads for all road users.
Our goal: By 2030, at least 80% of travel on 3-star or better roads.
Our values [STAR]: In every action and decision, the AusRAP team will prioritise and demonstrate:
- Safety culture – we prioritise safety and shared improvement
- Transparency – monitor, review, reset
- Alignment – coordinated delivery and communication
- Reputation – committed to public reporting.
"As a mechanism to drive better safety outcomes, AusRAP will play a significant role in building a path to zero deaths and serious injuries. I am excited about working with road authorities and our AusRAP partners to build on the existing risk measurement and investment prioritisation efforts," said Michael Nieuwesteeg, Road Safety and Design Program Manager.
“Our goal is to make sure we are coordinating reporting activity and data analysis across Australia which will be influential in supporting the safety transformation of our roads,” Michael said.
As the AusRAP lead, Austroads will partner with the Australasian College of Road Safety, the Australian Local Government Association, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, iRAP, state, territory and local governments, Roads Australia and the Australian Road Research Board.
The partnership will:
- maximise infrastructure planning, management and investment in safer roads for the benefit of all Australians
- work towards the target that more than 80% of travel is on 3-star or better roads for all Australian road users by 2030
- track performance and communicate (to the public and decision makers) the safety of infrastructure in line with global and local road safety performance targets and the UN Decade of Action Safety Plan 2021-2030
- lift the safety capability of road managers in all jurisdictions and across all levels of government.
Situation analysis: where are we now?
A solid base: RAP assessments have been done for more than 100,000 km of Australia’s road network, most jurisdictions are currently updating and expanding AusRAP activity, and we have a strong technical foundation having contributed to development of iRAP protocols.
Maintaining data currency: While there has been considerable AusRAP data collected for arterial roads in different States/Territories this can be out of date.
Perceptions and capability: There is some concern that AusRAP data collection is too expensive and in some cases that results are not consistent. Current trials of new data collection approaches such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are underway. Fit for purpose tools are available but not adequately understood or used.
Government engagement and partnership: Support for states and territories in developing and prioritising road crash risk lengths for safety improvement and identifying road infrastructure solutions is a high priority.
Significant AusRAP assessments are underway or planned, for example:
- Victoria’s Department of Transport & Planning is collecting updated data currently and has committed to publishing star rating data in the first half of 2024
- Transport for NSW have gathered data on 17,000 km of its road network and is reworking cross section analysis (road stereotypes) to identify priorities for infrastructure improvements
- WA Department of Transport has completed a trial, using LIDAR and AI for data collection and coding of over 2000 km of road, and expect to have all Star ratings available by the end of 2023
- Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads carried out a risk assessment of 10,000 km of local government roads in 2017 and will assess the future direction for local government roads in 2023.
- Northern Territory has recently completed more than 4,000km of AusRAP assessments.
- SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport is collecting updated data for 11,000km of high travelled roads.
Local government: Meeting local government needs is a major challenge to be addressed and where innovation is needed to guide effective action and contribution to the local and national road safety targets.
AusRAP as a trusted leader: States and territories are using a variety of approaches to turn the AusRAP data into business cases suitable for local funding mechanisms and prioritisation of infrastructure investments. There is an opportunity to take advantage of global developments around the use of “iRAP User Defined Investment Plans” and the “iRAP Route Review Tool” alongside jurisdiction-specific development of enhanced investment planning tools as part of IRAP’s Innovation Framework.
Creating MAPS (messages, applications, processes, sustainability) for safety and success
From the situation analysis and consultations with our stakeholders and partners, the following four key areas emerge for focus, planning and priority in the first two years of strategy.
AusRAP must live out the meaning of its mission to empower each jurisdiction with which it interacts to make decisions that ensure optimised impact for the investments made.
Belief in the charter, approach and findings depends on proper engagement and messaging of the mission of AusRAP.
The next two years must demonstrate that significant safety results can be achieved.
It is critical for AusRAP to refine, polish and govern its method, certification and approaches to ratings and investments.
The Messages, Applications, Processes and Sustainability will build on the extensive free resources that iRAP partners in more than 100 countries worldwide have developed and shared for the mutual benefit of all. This includes RAP Tools, Global Innovation Partnerships, Training Resources, Accreditation Schemes, Standard Specifications and Program Management Resources that can be leveraged and enhanced by all AusRAP partners as part of the global iRAP program.
MAPS (messages, applications, processes, sustainability) targets for December 2025
1. Established dashboards to measure progress.
2. Developed and maintained strong relationships with all key partners.
3. Promoted safety benefits of case studies.
4. Risk mapping and star ratings completed for all arterial roads where data are available.
5. AusRAP incorporated into investment decision making at state, territory and federal level .
6. Fit-for purpose tools developed and piloted with selected LGAs.
7. Structures, processes and governance developed and operational within states and territories.
8. Clear articulation and use of the AusRAP standards, specifications and guidelines.
9. Achieved stronger technical alignment between AusRAP and Safe System.
10. Shared learnings with other RAPs.
11. Established training programs with governed gateways.
12. Endorsed and funded business case for AusRAP expansion.
Key strategic activities for 2023 to 2025
To achieve the targets by December 2025 we will undertake several projects. These will be scoped in detail by the AusRAP tteam, in collaboration with the working groups and the AusRAP Partnership Committee.
Project 1: Dashboard and communication
There is a critical need for simple but meaningful analytics and communications that keep all partners and all jurisdictions engaged with activity and impact.
A dashboard will be developed that allows for tracking and governance of AusRAP activity that will enable and support engaging communications with the wider industry and partners.
Milestones:
- Dashboard confirmed by mid-2024
- Regular circulation to all partners by end of 2024
- Clear communications strategy for 2024-2030 prepared.
Project 2: Arterial mapping
It is pivotal that arterial road mappings are updated in a way that is reliable, impactful and reportable.
By the end of 2024 most state/territory arterial roads will have been reviewed and assessed, data updated, and reliable results reported.
Milestones:
- All maps prepared for update by end 2024
- Completed data collection by December 2024
- Updated Australia-wide maps published by early 2025.
Project 3: Governance and efficiency
The dependable and efficient coordination of activity is considered a platform of success for all other activities. A strong governance model and relationships is key. Decision making clarity and simplicity is vital for trustworthiness.
Milestones:
- Governance model confirmed by end of 2023: clear decision-making roles
- Operations of the model commence 2024 – and deliver meaningful reviews and learning
- Project management optimized for impact, approach and delivery. Best practice expected across the range of activities against AusRAP values and key result areas.
Project 4: Training and certification
Achieving governed training with clear accreditation gateways must be prioritised.
By the end of 2024 all training programs and empowered certifications will be in place.
Milestones:
- Training programs piloted by mid-2024
- Confirmed training and competency matrix published by end 2024
- Certifications ready for recognition by mid-2025.
Project 5: Business case for expansion
The program will require scalable funding by early 2025.
The business case must be carefully built based on the dashboard, governance and reporting of impact.
Milestones:
- Draft business case by end of 2024
- Submitted to Austroads budget by early 2025.
