Occupation

Transportation Planners

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.5 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.

Also Known As: Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS), Fleet Coordinator, Planner, Program Officer, Traffic Analyst, Transit Planner, Transportation Analyst, Transportation Consultant +8 more

Core Tasks

  1. Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
  2. 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.
  3. Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
  4. Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
  5. Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
  6. Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
  7. Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
  8. Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
  9. Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
  10. Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
  11. Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
  12. Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
  13. Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
  14. Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
  15. Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
  16. Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
  17. Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
  18. Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
  19. Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
  20. Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
  21. Direct urban traffic counting programs.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
55%
Master's Degree
45%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • SAP software
  • SAS
  • Structured query language SQL

Software (42)

  • Caliper TransCAD
  • Citilabs Cube
  • Crash Mapping Analysis Tool CMAT
  • Dowling Associates TRAFFIX
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Iteris Turbo Architecture
  • MapInfo
  • McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM
  • McTrans HCS+
  • PTV VISUM
  • Quadstone Paramics
  • Roundabout Delay RODEL
  • Strong Concepts TEAPAC
  • TRL Software TRANSYT
  • Texas Transportation Institute TTI Progression Analysis and Signal System Evaluation Routine PASSER
  • Traffic signal software
  • Transportation management system TMS software
  • Visual Solutions VisSIM
  • Web browser software

Tools & Equipment (7)

  • Blueprint machines
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Photocopying equipment

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Energy Auditors 79% match
Zone 4
Transportation Planners You are here

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