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 (May 2026 - October 2026)
Next six months (May 2026 - October 2026)
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.
MRTS25 Steel Reinforced Precast Concrete Pipes
- Amendment to remove culvert design elements, and
- Withdrawal of Notice of Amended Annexure MRTS25.1.
WITHDRAW MRTS26 Manufacture of Fibre Reinforced Concrete Drainage Pipes
- Withdrawal of documents due to ceasing of supply.
MRTS39 Lean-mix Concrete Subbase Harmonised
- Harmonisation with ATS 3520 Lean-mix Concrete Subbase, with Queensland specific additions or modifications included as indicated in the MRTS39 Lean-mix Concrete Subbase ancillary document.
- Aggregate and cementitious materials requirements aligned with MRTS70 Concrete and inclusion of additional requirements relevant to large concrete pavement projects constructed by slipform paving low slump concrete, and
- Title updated from MRTS39 Lean Mix Concrete Sub-base for Pavements to MRTS39 Lean-mix Concrete Subbase.
MRTS40 Concrete Pavement Base Harmonised
- Harmonisation with ATS 3530 Concrete Pavement Base, with Queensland specific additions or modifications included as indicated in the MRTS40 Concrete Pavement Base ancillary document.
- Aggregate and cementitious materials requirements aligned MRTS70 Concrete and inclusion of additional requirements relevant to large concrete pavement projects constructed by slipform paving low slump concrete, and
- Withdrawal of Annexure MRTS40.1, Annexure MRS40.1, and checklist CAC064M Concrete Pavement Base – Assessment of Nominated Mix Submission.
WITHDRAW MRTS42 Supply of Wax Emulsion Curing Compound for Concrete
- Requirements incorporated into MRTS39 Lean-mix Concrete Subbase.
MRTS204 Vehicle Detectors
- The term 'Vehicle loop detector' is replaced with 'Inductive loop detector', and
- The term 'cabinet' is replaced with 'enclosure'.
NEW MRTS205 Remote Power Reset (RPR) Devices
- New Technical Specification outlining the requirements for Remote Power Reset (RPR) for Intelligent Transport System (ITS) devices. RPR devices are an Operational Technology (OT) device with built in relays that allows remote monitoring and power control of connected devices.
MRTS208 Roadway Ancillary ITS Infrastructure Monitoring and Control
- Tunnel lighting through Simple Devices descoped, and
- General minor amendments.
MRTS233 Roadway Flood Monitoring Systems
- New Appendix A 'RFMS Offset Guidelines', includes definition of offsets, calculation methodology, survey requirements, and example calculations.
MRTS256 Power Cables
- Amendments outline technical requirements for aluminium cables, providing a cost-effective measure to reduce cable theft and vandalism.
- Introduces 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, and
- Revises content for busway tunnel cables, including enhanced provisions for fire protection, rodent resistance, and quality testing.
NEW MRTS334 Rollingstock, and
NEW MTRS335 Stations
- New Technical Specifications for cost estimating rail rollingstock and station infrastructure.
STANDARD DRAWINGS
SD1307 Access Chamber - Cast Insitu Details for 1050 to 2100 Diameter Roadway Type Access Chamber
- Design intent and requirements regarding the provision of a temporary drainage pipe (100mm Dia uPVC) have been clarified in a new note, Note 10.
SD1371 Road Lighting - Base Plate Mounted Pole
SD1430 Road Lighting - Switchboard Pillar Mounted
SD1627 Road Lighting - Switchboard Top Mounted, and
SD1671 Traffic Signals / Road Lighting - Road Lighting Labels Installation
- Location for installation of aluminium cable labels added on Transport and Main Roads rate 3 poles and pillar and post top mounted switchboards, and
- Alternative location for installation of site identification labels added to SD1371 & SD1671 on joint use road lighting poles where traffic signal hardware is present.
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), and
SD1414 Traffic Signals - Mast Arm Traffic Signal Junction Box (Type A) Wiring Details
- Update to include the use of push-in terminal blocks.
SD1424 Traffic Signals - Detector Loops Installation Details
- Guidelines updated to preferred installation practices.
SD1425 Traffic Signals - Detector Loops Placement Details
SD1701 Traffic Signals - Detector Loops Counting/Right Turn Loops and Diode Connection Details, and
SD1702 ITS - Detector Loops Motorway Management Placement Details
- Minor drafting update to improve clarity.
SD1426 Traffic Signals - Detector Loops Standard Configurations
- New Note 5 added to provide implications on the use of parallel loop configurations.
SD1636 Road Lighting - Road Lighting - Symbols
- High security pit lid symbols and depiction added to 'Ducting and Pits' section.
SD1673 Traffic Signals / Road Lighting / ITS - Labels
- Update to comply with AS 3000 Wiring Rules labelling requirements for General Purpose Outlets that are not Residual Current Device protected.
SD1707 Road Lighting - Base Plate Mounted Pole Mounted on Bridges Wiring Details
- Split into 2 sheets to show different bridge light pole electrical earthing arrangements, and
- Greater clarity provided to detail main earth terminations and tagging for construction and maintenance activities.
SD1715 Traffic Signals / Road Lighting - Circular Mast Arm Outreach - 2.5m, 5.0m and 6.5m - Assembly and Details
- Mast arm outreach annular discs modified to accommodate a locking mechanism (keeper plate) to prevent lantern rotation at high winds.
SD1736 ITS - ITS Symbols
- Alignment with Asset Hierarchy to provide consistency and guidance on ITS symbols and design presentations.
MANUALS
NEW BIM for Road Furniture
- New Information Delivery Manual outlining the modelled elements under Road Furniture disciplines and the level of asset attribution to be assigned to those models.
Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Part 1: General introduction and index of signs
- Minor update of wording for clarity.
Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Part 2: Traffic Control Devices for General Use
- Update to include guidance on the selection of KEEP LEFT sign sizes.
- Recommendation for road authorities to keep a record of vehicles that are exempted using the AUTHORISED vehicles supplementary plate, and
- New signs for the prohibition of motorcycle lane filtering.
Structures Inspection Manual
- Reduction in frequency of inspections for underwater CS3 elements and Fabricated Steel Traffic Signs (FSTS), and
- Minor updates and corrections.
Transport Infrastructure Project Delivery System
- Volumes 1 – 3 redesign will include updated content, layout and guidance tools.
Traffic and Road Use Manual, Volume 3, Part 5 Design Guide for Roadside Signs
- Update to comply with revised wind regions in AS 1170.2 Minimum design loads on structures (known as the SAA Loading Code), Part 2: Wind loads and new soil classification in Queensland, and
- TraSiS software updated to comply with the design requirements of this updated design guide.
GUIDELINES
NEW Framework for Value Engineering Reviews in Major Transport Infrastructure Projects
- This framework provides clear governance, defines key success factors, and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration to optimise project performance, cost efficiency, and long-term asset value. Focusing on total lifecycle costs, functional outcomes, and risk mitigation, the framework ensures projects deliver maximum public value while maintaining safety, quality, and sustainability standards.
- Includes Value Engineering Review Report template, and
- Frequently Asked Questions page.
Routine Maintenance Guidelines
- Update to incorporate MRTS96 Management of Asbestos Removal, and
- Revision and discontinuation of certain maintenance activities to better align with maintenance delivery requirements.
TECHNICAL NOTES
TN45 Surface Finish of Prestressed Concrete Octagonal Piles, and
TN50 Surface Treatment of Prestressed Concrete Elements
- Amendment to clarify quality assurance requirements and reflect changes to MRTS70 Concrete and AS 4672 Steel prestressing materials for concrete.
- Title updated from TN45 Precast Concrete: Treatment of Surfaces of Precast Octagonal Piles to TN45 Surface Finish of Prestressed Concrete Octagonal Piles, and
- Title updated from TN50 Precast Concrete: Treatment of Top Surfaces and "Construction Joints" on Deck Units and Girders to TN50 Surface Treatment of Prestressed Concrete Elements.
CONTRACTS
First Response Emergency Works Contract (FREW)
Conditions of Contract
- Update to new Queensland Procurement Policy (QPP) compliance requirements.
Infrastructure Contracts
Transport Infrastructure Contract (TIC-CO, TIC-SI and TIC-DC), and
Minor Infrastructure Contract (MIC-CO and MIC-SI)
- Updated infrastructure documents to align with the latest government policies, legislation, and stakeholder feedback.
OTHER
MUTCD Q-series and TC Signs
- Regularly updated to include new, withdrawn, and amended signs to comply with Australian Standards.
Temporary Traffic Management
- Updates to webpages and factsheets to ensure accuracy and clarity of information regarding Temporary Traffic Management Training, Event Traffic Management, and the Traffic Management Registration Scheme, including new, withdrawn, and amendments to existing content.
Future Updates and New Releases
Future publication program to be advised.
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026