Transportation Engineers

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Architecture & Engineering
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-2051
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
• Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
• Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
• Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
• Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
• Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
• Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
• Estimate transportation project costs.
• Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
• Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
• Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, Cubic Synchro Studio, ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word, OpenRoads Designer

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Civil Engineers
• Transportation Planners
• Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Traffic Technicians
• Highway Maintenance Workers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Construction Managers
• Environmental Engineers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Transportation Engineers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.