Austroads has published its new Guide to Digital Engineering, a resource to help transport agencies plan, implement and manage digital engineering.
The development of the guide was driven by extensive consultation with government, industry and specialist groups, reflecting the shared ambition of Australian and New Zealand transport agencies to leverage digital engineering (DE) for improved productivity, efficiency and sustainability in transport asset management.
Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager, Ross Guppy, highlighted the importance of this initiative.
“Digital engineering is not just a technological advancement — it’s a transformative shift in how we design, deliver, and manage infrastructure,” Mr Guppy said.
“The Guide to Digital Engineering provides a national approach for transport agencies, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to realise DE’s significant benefits. By standardising practice and fostering a more collaborative and consistent approach, this guide aims to accelerate DE adoption and support agencies at every stage of their digital journey.”
The guide responds to a pressing need for greater alignment and clarity in the application of DE, particularly as agencies face a growing demand for improved productivity, asset resilience, and sustainability. While leading jurisdictions like New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and New Zealand have pioneered DE initiatives, the guide serves as a unifying resource to enable knowledge sharing, consistency, and best-practice adoption across all ANZ transport agencies.
“Through this guide, we have created a resource that meets the diverse needs of transport agencies, from those taking their first steps in digital engineering to those with mature, advanced systems,” Mr Guppy said.
“Our goal is to facilitate a more connected and collaborative industry, with agencies better able to measure benefits, build capability, and drive strategic outcomes.”
The Guide to Digital Engineering outlines key strategic and technical concepts, offering step-by-step support to help agencies realise the benefits of DE across the entire asset lifecycle — from planning and design to construction, operation, and maintenance. It also highlights the role of open standards, such as openBIM, which are essential for enhancing collaboration, enabling interoperability, and ensuring sustainable, long-term access to critical asset information.
“The benefits of digital engineering are clear. By enabling more efficient use of data and fostering better collaboration between stakeholders, DE will help transport agencies achieve better project, operation, and service delivery outcomes. This is about doing more with less and ensuring the right information is available at the right time to support critical decision-making,” Mr Guppy said.
Austroads acknowledges the valuable contributions of stakeholders across government and industry who played a vital role in shaping the guide. Their input has ensured that the guide reflects the diverse perspectives and needs of transport agencies across ANZ.
The Guide to Digital Engineering is now available for download here.
