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01 - Transportation Planners

Transportation Planners
19-3099.01 Updated 2023

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

Sample of reported job titles: Planner, Program Officer, Transportation Analyst, Transportation Data
Programs Manager, Transportation Planner

Summary Details Custom Easy Read Veterans Español

Contents

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks
All 22 displayed

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.
Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of
projects, or long-range planning needs.
Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated
databases.
Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local,
regional, or national level.
Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or
compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.

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Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact

statements.
Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects,
bus facilities, or car parking areas.
Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
Direct urban traffic counting programs.
Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.

Find occupations related to multiple tasks

Technology Skills
5 of 19 displayed

Analytical or scientific software — Citilabs Cube; Dowling Associates TRAFFIX; SAS ; TRL Software
TRANSYT
Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D ;
Bentley MicroStation ; Caliper TransCAD
Geographic information system — ESRI ArcGIS software ; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information
system GIS software; Geographic information system GIS systems
Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Illustrator ; Adobe Photoshop
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint

Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
See all 21 Hot Technologies for this occupation.

In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.
See all 6 In Demand skills for this occupation.

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities
All 32 displayed

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant
sources.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of
information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and
software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

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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.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information
means and how it can be used.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or
verifying information or data.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose
the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors,
co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
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.
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.
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to
management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation
among team members.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining
information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to
accomplish tasks.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and
resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching,
mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to
subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
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.

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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from

materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise
change their minds or actions.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal
educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of
others.
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality
of things or people.
Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees
in an organization.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as
maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the
spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

All 15 displayed

Communicate with the public on environmental issues.

Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
Advise others on matters of public policy.
Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.
Develop methods of social or economic research.
Interpret research or operational data.
Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
Evaluate civic projects or public policies.
Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.
Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
Design civil structures or systems.
Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
Direct scientific activities.

Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities

Work Context
5 of 19 displayed

Electronic Mail — 100% responded “Every day.”

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Face-to-Face Discussions — 78% responded “Every day.”

Telephone — 74% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Sitting — 60% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 55% responded “Extremely important.”

Experience Requirements

Job Zone
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do
not.
Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is
needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four
years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered
qualified.

Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related
experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or
training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database
administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and
cost estimators.
SVP Range (7.0 to < 8.0)

Training & Credentials

State training Texas Go

Local training ZIP Code 77477 Go

Certifications Find certifications nationwide

Apprenticeship Opportunities
Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to learn about opportunities
related to this occupation.

Worker Requirements

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Skills
5 of 20 displayed

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to
develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related
documents.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Knowledge
5 of 10 displayed

Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea,
or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the
meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their
applications.
Geography — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air
masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant,
animal, and human life.
Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government
regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

55% Bachelor’s degree required

45% Master’s degree required

Worker Characteristics

Abilities
5 of 21 displayed

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Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers
that make sense.
Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or
conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented
through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will
understand.

Interests
All 2 displayed

Interest code: IC

Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.

Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease
or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with
physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities,
mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data,
typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work,
accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Work Values
All 3 displayed

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to
use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability
Utilization and Achievement.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and
make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working
conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and
Working Conditions.

Work Styles
5 of 16 displayed

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured,
cooperative attitude.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related
issues and problems.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other.
Employment data for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other.
Industry data for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other.

Median wages $42.74 hourly, $88,900 annual

(2022)

State wages Texas Go

Local wages ZIP Code 77477 Go

Employment 36,500 employees

(2022)

Projected growth Average (2% to 4%)

(2022-2032)

Projected job 3,000

openings
(2022-2032)

State trends Texas Go

Top industries Government

(2022) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data and 2022-2032 employment projections . “Projected growth”
represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings”
represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings Texas Go

Local job openings ZIP Code 77477 Go

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More Information

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Sources of Additional Information

10 of 12 displayed

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or
industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an
endorsement.

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

American Institute of Certified Planners
American Planning Association
American Public Transportation Association
American Public Works Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Highway Engineers
Institute of Transportation Engineers
Transportation and Development Institute
Transportation Research Board

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