Transportation Engineers

17-2051.01

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.
• Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
• Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
• Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
• Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
• Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
• Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
• Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
• Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards.
• Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.
• Design transportation systems or structures with sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
• Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
• Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
• 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.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Citilabs Cube; Cubic Synchro Studio; McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM; McTrans HCS+; McTrans TRANSYT-7F; SIDRA INTERSECTION; Trafficware SynchroGreen; Visual Solutions VisSIM
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D ; Autodesk Land Desktop; Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite; Bentley InRoads Suite; Bentley MicroStation ; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; OpenRoads Designer; Trafficware SimTraffic; Transoft Solutions AutoTURN
• Data base user interface and query software - Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - Warehouse management system WMS
• Object or component oriented development software - Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - 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.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Design civil structures or systems.
• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
• Prepare technical or operational reports.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Explain project details to the general public.
• Create graphical representations of civil structures.
• Advise others on health and safety issues.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Design environmental control systems.
• Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
• Determine operational criteria or specifications.
• Schedule operational activities.
• Prepare project budgets.
• Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
• Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
• Direct surveying activities.
• Incorporate green features into the design of structures or facilities.
• Test characteristics of materials or structures.
• Develop software or computer applications.