Transportation Engineers for Roads and Transit
Overview
Transportation Engineers for Roads and Transit design and improve how people and vehicles move on streets, highways, bridges, and public transit systems. They use tools like AutoCAD, traffic‑simulation software (such as VISSIM or Synchro), and GIS maps to plan safer intersections, choose materials like porous pavement, and design drainage systems that reduce flooding and pollution. They also estimate project costs, review construction plans, and make decisions about traffic lights, signs, and lane layouts to cut down on crashes and traffic jams while following strict safety and environmental rules.
Did you know?
Transportation Engineers in the US typically need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and must obtain Professional Engineer (PE) licensure for senior positions and public sector work.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Operations Monitoring
Key Responsibilities
- Design transportation systems or structures with sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
- Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
- Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
- Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
- Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
- Estimate transportation project costs.
- 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.
- Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
- Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
- Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
- Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
- Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
- 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.
- Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
- Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
- Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
- Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
- Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
- Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
- Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards.
- Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
- Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
- Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.
- Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
- Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
Career Considerations
Education and Licensing Requirements
Transportation Engineers in the US typically need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and must obtain Professional Engineer (PE) licensure for senior positions and public sector work.
Employment Opportunities and Job Market
Strong job growth is expected due to America's aging infrastructure needs, with opportunities in government agencies, consulting firms, and private companies across transportation sectors.
Specialization and Career Advancement
Engineers can specialize in areas like traffic engineering, highway design, public transit planning, or emerging smart transportation technologies to advance their careers.