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Transportation Planners

In the Transportation Planners occupation, workers prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on writing, speaking, and reading comprehension. One core duty is to define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities. Interest ratings put Investigative on top at 5.6 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ICR and the day leans toward research, analysis and working through hard problems. The job can ask you to 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. It tends to suit people who want research, analysis and working through hard problems, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.
  • Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
  • Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
  • Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
  • Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.

Skills

  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Listening

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on writing and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.8 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ICR takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Planner
  • Program Officer
  • Transportation Analyst
  • Transportation Data Programs Manager
  • Transportation Planner

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.