Transportation Planners

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.

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

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $54K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $68K
Median Salary: $87K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $110K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $133K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.

Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.

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.

Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.

Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.

Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.

Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.

Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.

Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.

Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.

Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.

Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.

Analyze information from traffic counting programs.

Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.

Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.

Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.

Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.

Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.

Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.

Direct urban traffic counting programs.

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

Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
SAS
Computer aided design CAD software
Caliper TransCAD
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Desktop publishing software
Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Development environment software
Microsoft Visual Basic
Document management software
Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Industrial control software
Traffic signal software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Blueprint machines
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Photocopying equipment
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Transportation
92%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

English Language
87%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Engineering and Technology
80%
Importance

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
80%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Customer and Personal Service
75%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Design
75%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Geography
70%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Law and Government
65%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Administration and Management
64%
Importance

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.

Building and Construction
60%
Importance

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

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.

Complex Problem Solving
80%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking
78%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
78%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning
75%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination
75%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Systems Evaluation
75%
Importance

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Fluency of Ideas
78%
Importance

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Inductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

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 Expression
78%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Originality
75%
Importance

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
92%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
91%
Importance

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.

Getting Information
90%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
90%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information
88%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
85%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
84%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Developing Objectives and Strategies
83%
Importance

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
83%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Detailed Work Activities

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.

Direct scientific activities.

Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.

Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.

Evaluate civic projects or public policies.

Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.

Communicate with the public on environmental issues.

Develop methods of social or economic research.

Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.

Advise others on matters of public policy.

Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.

Interpret research or operational data.

Design civil structures or systems.

Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

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?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

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?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Coordinate or Lead Others

How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
Major
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Biopsychology
Gerontology
Behavioral Sciences
Holocaust and Related Studies
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
Human Biology
Sustainability Studies
Anthrozoology
Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
Geoarcheaology
Geography and Environmental Studies
History and Political Science
Linguistics and Anthropology
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Public Policy Analysis
Social Sciences, General
Demography
Social Sciences, Other
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
Interests
Investigative
91%
Importance

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
58%
Importance

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.

Realistic
53%
Importance

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.

Artistic
39%
Importance

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.

Enterprising
34%
Importance

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.

Social
24%
Importance

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
Analytical Thinking
90%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Integrity
89%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail
88%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Cooperation
85%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative
85%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Leadership
83%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Achievement/Effort
80%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Dependability
80%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Innovation
80%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Persistence
79%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values
Achievement
72%
Importance

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.

Independence
67%
Importance

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
65%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
62%
Importance

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.

Relationships
62%
Importance

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.

Support
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.