Transportation Planners
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics > Science and MathematicsProjected Growth: Average
Projected Job Openings
Considerable Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
Common job titles of Transportation Planners include:
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Experience and Education
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for this occupation. For example, a person in this occupation must complete four years of college and work for several years in industry to be considered qualified.
75% said they needed a Bachelor's Degree.
25% said they needed a Master's Degree.
Tasks
Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
Direct urban traffic counting programs.
Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
Tools
Photocopying equipment
Personal computers
Multi-line telephone systems
Laser facsimile machines
Laptop computers
Desktop computers
Blueprint machines
Technologies
Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley MicroStation
All TechnologiesCaliper TransCAD
ESRI ArcGIS software
Geographic information system GIS software
IBM SPSS Statistics
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Word
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
SAS
Structured query language SQL
Citilabs Cube
CORSIM
Crash Mapping Analysis Tool CMAT
Dowling Associates TRAFFIX
ESRI ArcView
Iteris Turbo Architecture
MapInfo
McTrans HCS+
PTV VISUM
Quadstone Paramics
Roundabout Delay RODEL
Strong Concepts TEAPAC
Texas Transportation Institute TTI Progression Analysis and Signal System Evaluation Routine PASSER
Traffic signal software
TRL Software TRANSYT
Visual Solutions VisSIM
Web browser software
Skills
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Abilities
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Problem Sensitivity
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning