Transportation Engineers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $56K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $69K
Median Salary: $88K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $115K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $144K
Demand
Core Tasks
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
Estimate transportation project costs.
Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.
Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards.
Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures in a manner that is environmentally sound or prepares the land for sustainable development.
Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
Design transportation systems or structures with sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Design
97%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology
94%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
90%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Building and Construction
89%
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Transportation
85%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Physics
76%
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Computers and Electronics
75%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management
72%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Law and Government
68%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Top 10 Skills
Complex Problem Solving
80%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
80%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
80%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
78%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Mathematics
78%
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Listening
75%
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.
Writing
75%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Systems Analysis
73%
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Time Management
73%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
83%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
80%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering
80%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning
80%
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
80%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Category Flexibility
78%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Top 10 Work Activities
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
95%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Interacting With Computers
93%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
89%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information
89%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
88%
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Analyzing Data or Information
86%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
86%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Processing Information
85%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
85%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
84%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Detailed Work Activities
Explain project details to the general public.
Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
Prepare technical or operational reports.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Develop software or computer applications.
Determine operational criteria or specifications.
Schedule operational activities.
Prepare project budgets.
Create graphical representations of civil structures.
Prepare detailed work plans.
Create models of engineering designs or methods.
Advise others on health and safety issues.
Test characteristics of materials or structures.
Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
Direct surveying activities.
Estimate operational costs.
Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
Design civil structures or systems.
Design environmental control systems.
Incorporate green features into the design of structures or facilities.
Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
Work Context
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
86%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
53%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
48%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
29%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
19%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
95%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity
93%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking
91%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Dependability
90%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
87%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Persistence
85%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Initiative
84%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership
79%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self Control
79%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Achievement/Effort
77%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Values
Achievement
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
