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Transportation Engineers

Careers / Transportation Engineers

Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Airport Engineer

2.	Civil Transportation Engineer

3.	Highway Engineer

4.	Project Manager

5.	Roadway Engineer

6.	Traffic Engineer

7.	Traffic Operations Engineer

8.	Transportation Analyst

9.	Transportation Consultant

10.	Transportation Design Engineer

11.	Transportation Engineer

12.	Transportation Planning Engineer

Job 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. Design civil structures or systems.

	Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety. Advise others on health and safety issues.

	Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices. Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

	Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices. Prepare technical or operational reports.

	Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. Determine operational criteria or specifications. Schedule operational activities. Prepare project budgets.

	Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion. Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.

	Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion. Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.

	Estimate transportation project costs. Estimate operational costs.

	Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

	Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function. Prepare detailed work plans.

	Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.

	Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations. Create graphical representations of civil structures.

	Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact. Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.

	Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations. Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.

	Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings. Explain project details to the general public.

	Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects. Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

	Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components. Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.

	Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards. Test characteristics of materials or structures.

	Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects. Direct surveying activities.

	Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes. Develop software or computer applications.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

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

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

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

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 Persons Outside 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.

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.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

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.

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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

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.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Civil Engineers
	Civil engineers design, build, supervise, operate, and maintain construction projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Civil Engineers
	Civil engineers generally work in a variety of locations and conditions. Many spend time outdoors at construction sites so that they can monitor operations or solve problems onsite. Most work full time.

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