Austroads has developed a practical, evidenced-based guide to help road agencies create tailored strategies and plans to deliver on the ambitious goal of zero road fatalities by 2050.
The Planning for Zero approach integrates safer road designs, speed management, communication, engagement, and workforce training. By following this structured pathway, road agencies can make meaningful progress toward governments’ road safety targets and the goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050, enhancing safety and protecting all road users.
Road trauma remains a pressing challenge with profound impacts on families, communities, and economies. While incremental safety improvements have helped, achieving the necessary transformational changes across road transport systems requires road agencies to adopt a systems-based, holistic approach prioritising measurable long-term outcomes over short-term solutions.
Michael Nieuwesteeg, Road Safety and Design Program Manager at Austroads, said that this guidance offers road managers and road safety practitioners clear, practical steps to develop strategies tailored to their unique road safety challenges.
“It recognises that one size does not fit all and emphasises collaboration, stakeholder engagement and building the capacity needed for sustained improvement,” Nieuwesteeg said.
“By embedding these approaches into transport and government planning, agencies will be better equipped to align resources and deliver safety improvements across the road transport system, reducing trauma and saving lives.”
The guidance is designed to support all levels of government and key stakeholders through three integrated components.
The Strategic Leadership Briefing provides elected officials, senior executives, and partners with a clear understanding of the importance and benefits of adopting the Planning for Zero approach.
For road safety practitioners, the second component provides detailed technical guidance through the Planning for Zero Framework. This Framework offers a systems-based, structured road safety planning approach that outlines the key steps and priority actions needed to develop effective strategies. It highlights the critical roles of stakeholder engagement, training, and collaboration, recognising that success depends on both technical planning and broader institutional support, including leadership, public engagement, and long-term investment.
Finally, a comprehensive toolkit offers practical resources, including technical notes and communication materials, developed in close consultation with jurisdictions to help agencies implement these strategies effectively.
“Our key recommendation to road agencies is to fully adopt the Framework’s principles, integrate them into long-term transport master plans, and tailor strategies to local geographic, demographic, and infrastructural conditions,” Nieuwesteeg said.
“Successful implementation relies on strong leadership and a coordinated effort across all levels of government and industry. This guidance provides the tools needed to build that capability and drive meaningful change.”
Click here to download Charting a Path to Eliminating Road Death and Serious Injury Stream 2: Developing Pathways to Zero and Comprehensive Support Materials.
