Industry Update
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (the department) is committed to continually reviewing and improving our technical publications to ensure we deliver best value for money and embrace the latest technological advancements.
To help you stay informed about any upcoming changes to technical publications we have provided a look ahead of proposed amendments, we have broken these into two timelines: next six months, and into the future.
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Publication of technical document cycle content occurs bi-annually, with updates released at the end of May and November each year. This applies to core cycle documents, including:
Changes affecting cost, safety or legislation may require urgent release and will continue to be managed via an exception cycle to ensure responsiveness. We welcome your feedback to Technical Publications. |
Next six months (November 2026 - April 2027)
Future updates
Next six months (November 2026 - April 2027)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Harmonised Technical Specifications
- Transport and Main Roads Technical Specifications (MRTS) harmonised with Austroads Technical Specifications (ATS) will now be released as ‘combined’ documents. That means national and Queensland content is published as a complete document rather than a ‘supplement’. Technical Specifications impacted will begin with MRTS# (Title) Harmonised.
MRTS04 General Earthworks
- Inclusion of TN216 Embankment Fill Materials requirements.
- Subgrade treatments simplified from 11 treatments (A to K) to 6 treatment types (ST1 to ST6) and testing requirements clarified where the Contractor is responsible for / and where the Contractor is not responsible for the pavement design.
MRTS06 Reinforced Soil Walls Harmonised
- Inclusion of departmental requirements omitted during the harmonisation process, including the use of TfNSW-approved products, minimum testing frequencies, and Annexure MRTS06.1.
MRTS91 Conduits and Pits
- Revised pit protection requirements to improve security and help mitigate unauthorised access, cable theft and vandalism, including:
- removal of precast concrete surrounds option
- mandated use of cast in-situ concrete surrounds around pits, and
- inclusion of heavy-duty lockable pit lids.
MRTS213 UPS for Roadside Devices
MRTS226 Telecommunications Field Cabinets
MRTS228 Electrical Switchboards, and
NEW MRTS209 Physical Security Requirements for Roadside Enclosures
- New MRTS209 introduces high-security requirements for roadside infrastructure.
- Aligned changes to MRTS213, MRTS226 and MRTS228:
- strengthen physical security of roadside enclosures, and
- updated electrical circuitry requirements including an overload protective device per referenced standard drawings.
- New Appendix MRTS226.1 outlines the requirements for Pole / Post Mounted Enclosures (PME) including CCTV cabinets.
MRTS253 Traffic Signal Lanterns
- Revised maximum power consumption limits, including limits for extended range lanterns, to support accurate and reliable lantern monitoring and reflect current industry capabilities.
- Updated control wire dimming requirements to require stepped dimming and prevent lanterns from exceeding the dimmed-state luminous intensity when transitioning from ‘off’ to dimmed ‘on’.
- New boss end cap dimension requirements to provide a secure fit and minimise lantern movement.
MRTS256 Power Cables
- Updated technical requirements for aluminium cables, providing a cost-effective measure to reduce cable theft and vandalism.
- Inclusion of a new sheath material and a larger neutral conductor for 36 core traffic signal cables to improve performance in persistently wet conditions and strengthen electrical safety.
- Revised busway tunnel cable content, including enhanced provisions for fire protection, rodent resistance, and quality testing.
STANDARD DRAWINGS
SD1428 Traffic Signals - Traffic Signal Post Base Mounted
- Updates aligned with Austroads Guide to Traffic Management - Part 10:
- mounting height dimensions added from surface level to top of pedestrian lantern
- minimum height clearance requirements added for lanterns above footpath bicycle path (Note 4).
- Updated to clarify application to both vehicle and pedestrian lanterns (Note 5).
- Detail 1 title and parts number amended and updated Notes 8 and 9 clarify installation procedure for retro-fit earth fixtures.
SD1407 Traffic Signals - Traffic Signal Terminal Panel for Joint Use Poles
SD1408 Traffic Signals - Traffic Signal Terminal Panel for Joint Use Poles Wiring Details
SD1413 Traffic Signals - Mast Arm Traffic Signal Junction Box (Type A)
SD1414 Traffic Signals - Mast Arm Traffic Signal Junction Box (Type A) Wiring Details
SD1635 Traffic signals - Traffic Signal Upper Mounting Assembly and Split Shell Assembly, and
SD1670 Traffic Signals - Traffic Signal Wiring Connections
- Update to provide additional dimming and field active terminals within traffic signal terminal assemblies, improving installation, maintenance and reliability.
SD1673 Traffic Signal/Road Lighting/ITS Labels
- Inclusion of new Resident Push Button Sticker (TC2380) for applicable resident pushbutton installations. The sticker informs users what to expect after activation, including acknowledgement of the request and confirmation that an assistive response has been initiated.
NEW SD1756 Road Lighting - Energy Absorbing Pole, Disconnect Canister Wiring Details
- New Standard Drawing providing guidance for Energy Absorbing Pole electrical disconnect arrangements that automatically isolate power following a vehicle impact.
SD1440 Traffic Signals / Road Lighting - Cable Jointing Pit Rectangular Concrete Surround, and
SD1685 Traffic Signals / Road Lighting / ITS - Precast Concrete Surround for Circular Pit
- Updates aligned with revised pit security requirements and the rollout of high-security pit lids.
MANUALS
Bridge Heavy Load Assessment Criteria
- Updates to the previously withdrawn Tier 1 Bridge Heavy Load Assessment Criteria to align with AS 5100 Bridge Design and reflect developments in bridge assessment knowledge and technology.
Traffic and Road Use Management Manual, Volume 4, Part 4 Road Lighting Dome Junction Box Assembly
- Inclusion of installation and maintenance requirements for aluminium cable terminations in Rate-3 Road Lighting Junction Box assemblies to reflect current material specifications and industry practices, support electrical safety, and address asset security risks associated with copper cable theft.
Road Planning and Design Manual 2nd Edition, Volume 3, Supplement to Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 5 Drainage - General and Hydrology Considerations
- Update climate change terminology to align with the latest Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidance, including revised minimum check events and base case requirements.
Road Planning and Design Manual 2nd Edition, Volume 6, Lighting
- Alignment with departmental changes to lighting requirements and updated Australian Standards to improve safety outcomes, provide greater consistency in lighting design and application, and support the use of contemporary technologies.
GUIDELINES
Tourist and Service Signs Guideline
- New guidance added regarding updating existing signs when relevant standards change, including changes to tourism organisation information and application processes.
TECHNICAL NOTES
TN59 Low Carbon Concrete
- Provides clearer guidance on low-carbon concrete technologies to support informed material selection and consideration of carbon performance alongside technical requirements. This will help improve consistency in sustainability outcomes across department projects and contribute to long-term emissions reduction goals.
WITHDRAW TN216 Embankment Fill Materials
- Requirements incorporated into MRTS04 General Earthworks.
CONTRACTS
First Response Emergency Works Contract (FREW)
Small Scale Minor Works (SSMW)
Infrastructure Contracts
Transport Infrastructure Contract (TIC-CO, TIC-SI and TIC-DC), and
Minor Infrastructure Contract (MIC-CO and MIC-SI)
- Contract updates to align with the latest government policies, legislation, and stakeholder feedback.
- Withdrawal of Transport Infrastructure Contract - Design and Construct (TIC-DC). An alternate contract model is being trialled and will be released mid 2027.
OTHER
MUTCD Q-series and TC Signs
- Regularly updated to include new, withdrawn, and amended signs to comply with Australian Standards.
Queensland Traffic Controller Clothing Standard
- Review of content, including updates to imagery and minor changes to Australian Standard references.
Future Updates
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MRTS11 Sprayed Bituminous Treatments (Excluding Emulsion)
- Update to enable the use of registered emulsion primes following approval of the Applicant’s Guide: Registration of Bituminous Emulsions for Priming Pavement Surfaces. The revision also aligns requirements with related sprayed sealing specifications.
MRTS12 Sprayed Bituminous Emulsion Surfacing
- Update in conjunction with MRTS11 suite to align requirements for sprayed sealing operational practices and improve consistency between the 2 suites.
- The amendments also reflect the publication of the Registration of Emulsion Primes document and update previously outdated content.
MRTS21 Bituminous Emulsion
- Update to enable the use of registered emulsion primes, following approval of the registration guidance. Additional minor amendments have also been included as part of the revision.
MRTS50 Specific Quality System Requirements
- Improve requirements for maintaining As-Constructed drawings to support safe emergency repairs during construction.
MRTS51 Environmental Management Harmonised
- Harmonisation with ATS 1140 Environmental Management Systems, with Queensland specific additions or modifications included as indicated in the MRTS51 Environmental Management ancillary document.
- Update to incorporate technical amendments and minor corrections, aligning the document with contemporary environmental management practices.
MRTS56 Construction Surveying
- Update to align with major revision of TMR Surveying Standards.
MRTS30 Asphalt Pavements
MRTS32 High Modulus Asphalt (EME2), and
MRTS102 Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material Harmonised
- Inclusion of up to 40% RAP in EME2 and bitumen adhesion agents as an alternative to hydrated lime in dense graded asphalt.
MRTS214 Wireless Traffic Sensors
- Remove requirements for QTDF data format and middleware compatibility, reflecting planned discontinuation.
MRTS219 Internally Illuminated Pavement Markers
- Update to better align with the Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and AS 1742 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and to provide expanded guidance on pavement-embedded installations.
NEW MRTS Self-Drilling Soil Nails
- New Technical Specification to formalise requirements for self-drilling soil nails used in slope remediation works, including their design, supply, installation and testing.
NEW MRTS Cold Milling of Road Pavement Harmonised
- New MRTS Technical Specification to be harmonised with ATS 3120 Supply of Aggregate for Sprayed Seals.
NEW MRTS Supply of Hot Poured Elastomeric Sealants for Pavements Harmonised
- New MRTS Technical Specification to be harmonised with ATS 3471 Supply of Hot Poured Elastomeric Sealants For Pavements.
NEW MRTS Sealing of Cracks in Flexible Pavements Harmonised
- New MRTS Technical Specification to be harmonised with ATS 3472 Sealing of Cracks in Flexible Pavements.
STANDARD DRAWINGS
SD1327 Traffic Signals/Road Lighting - Mains Connections, and
SD1434 Traffic Signals/Road Lighting - Cable Guard Manufacturing Details
- Update to align cable guard requirements with the current Queensland Electrical Connection Manual (QECM) by replacing metallic cable guards with non-metallic cable guards for mains connections, to reduce electrical safety risks and help minimise connection delays and electricity defects.
SD1399 Road Lighting – Base Plate Mounted Pole Wiring Details
SD1323 Road Lighting – Luminaire Terminal Panel, and
SD1400 Road Lighting – Slip Base Pole Wiring Details
- Updated to include terminal panel arrangements for older lighting poles without a DIN rail mounting plate, improving luminaire connections and support safer and more efficient installation and maintenance. The changes support the introduction of energy absorbing poles and aluminium cabling, providing standardised electrical wiring, connection and installation requirements.
SD1421 Traffic Signals - Traffic Signals Post and Footing Installation Details
- Addition of an option to reinstate existing below-ground traffic signal posts at brownfield sites, with appropriate treatment, and without raising the footing above the finished surface level.
SD1422 Traffic Signals - Ragbolt Sub-Assembly Fabrication Details
- Alignment with updated footing depths and notes for consistency with current footing drawings.
SD1624 Road Lighting - Junction Box Single Phase Wiring Details
SD1625 Road Lighting - Junction Box Three Phase Wiring Details, and
SD1626 Road Lighting - Junction Box Active, Neutral and Earth Bolting Arrangements
- Update to support the introduction of energy absorbing poles and aluminium cabling, providing standardised electrical wiring, connection and installation requirements.
- Single-phase and three-phase wiring connection details added to SD1624 and SD1625 between the junction box and energy absorbing pole canister, including electrical isolation following a vehicle impact.
- Active, neutral and earth bolting arrangements have been added to SD1626 for aluminium cable connections to energy absorbing poles.
- Changes to content to support the transition to aluminium conductors as a cable theft deterrent to promote safe, consistent installation, testing and maintenance practices across the network.
SD1623 Road Lighting - Switchboard Typical Layout and Circuit Diagram MEN System, and
SD1676 Road Lighting - Switchboard Typical Pillar Layout
- Update wiring arrangements to include an additional circuit breaker downstream of the main switch, providing the required overload protection for consumer mains to align with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations and Queensland Electrical Connection Manual (QECM) requirements.
SD1683 Pathway Lighting - Anchor Cage Fabrication and Installation Details
- Updates for consistency with the recently published traffic signal and mast arm footing drawings.
SD1686 Road Lighting, Switchboard Assembly details
SD1687 Road Lighting, Metered Switchboard Assembly Details – Single Phase, and
SD1688 Road Lighting, Metered Switchboard Assembly Details – Three Phase
- Update to incorporate High Security Switchboards across the department’s road lighting network, including revised configurations, wiring arrangements and enhanced security features.
NEW Standard Drawing – Switchboard and Distribution Board Layouts and Circuit Diagrams for MEN Systems with Single or Multiple Points of Supply
- New Standard Drawing providing a standardised design approach for adjacent switchboards and distribution boards, addressing electrical safety risks associated with touch potential, earth potential differences and unintended current flow.
MANUALS
Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Part 1: General Introduction and Index of Signs, and Part 3: Traffic Control for Works on Roads
- Updates for currency to align with Australian Standards and Queensland Road Rules legislation.
Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Part 11: Parking Controls
- Harmonisation with AS 1742.11 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 11: Parking Controls to maintain alignment with Australian Standards, Queensland Road Rules legislative requirements.
Structures Inspection Manual
- Changes to accommodate reduction in frequency of inspections for underwater CS3 elements and Fabricated Steel Traffic Signs (FSTS).
Traffic and Road Use Management Manual, Volume 4, Part 3 Electrical Design for Roadside Devices
- Update guidance on the termination of aluminium cables for road lighting electrical circuits, supporting their use as an alternative to copper cables to assist in reducing cable theft.
- Changes include specific termination requirements to minimise corrosion and premature circuit failure.
Traffic and Road Use Management Manual, Volume 4, Part 8 Certificate of Test
- Update electrical testing and verification requirements to reflect current industry practices and the introduction of aluminium conductors, including:
- new arc-flash assessment requirements to support appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and worker safety
- inclusion of a 15-minute average running load to provide a more representative measure of power consumption
- updated underground ambient temperature requirements to align with Australian Standards related guidance, and
- revised verification and design requirements for aluminium conductors, including conductor resistance, operating temperatures and derating factors.
General Environmental Duty Code of Practice for Identification and Management of PFAS-Affected Soil on Transport Infrastructure
- Guidance to support compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) and to meet the General Environmental Duty (GED, section 319 of the EP Act) when managing per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affected soil during construction, maintenance and operation of transport infrastructure.
GUIDELINES
Cold Applied Plastic (CAP)
- Reinstate guidance recommending Cold Applied Plastic as the preferred pavement marking material, following withdrawal of the department’s Road Safety Organisational Policy.
Event Traffic Management Design
- Align sign names with the Australian Standard following harmonisation.
Traffic Management at Works on Roads
- Inclusion of a new tool developed to assist with calculating shuttle flow lengths and guidance on how and when to use the new tool.
Options for Reducing Pedestrian Delays at Traffic Signals
- Removal of references to the Operation of Urban Traffic Signals Policy (OUTSP).
NEW Guideline - Algorithms for Evaluating Traffic Counter and Vehicle Classifier Accuracy
- New guideline providing algorithms for evaluating traffic counter and vehicle classifier accuracy, covering traffic counting, classification, speed, axle spacing and vehicle length.
TECHNICAL NOTES
TN148 Asphalt Mix Design Registration
TN183 Use of High Percentage of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Material in Dense Graded Asphalt, and
TN213 Registration of Non-Standard Dense Graded Asphalt Mixes containing Bitumen Adhesion Agents instead of Hydrated Lime
- Include the use of up to 40% RAP in EME2 and bitumen adhesion agents as an alternative to hydrated lime in dense graded asphalt.
NEW Technical Note Protective Earth Bonding for Stumpy Posts
- New technical note providing standardised guidance for retrofitting earth bonding in stumpy posts, providing greater clarity for contractors.
NEW Technical Note Periodic Verification for Solar Installations
- New technical note providing a structured approach for the periodic verification of standalone solar installations, supporting ongoing electrical safety compliance and consistent inspection and testing practices.
NEW Technical Note Arc Flash Assessment of Roadside Enclosures
- New technical note establishing a consistent approach to arc flash hazard assessments for roadside electrical installations, supporting electrical risk management and the safe operation and maintenance of electrical assets.
Contracts
- Contract updates to align with the latest government policies, legislation, and stakeholder feedback.
OTHER
TMR Surveying Standards
- Major update to reflect advancements in surveying technology and data capture methods to expand their application across all forms of transport infrastructure and align with TMR’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) strategy.
- Last updated
- 3 November 2026