Transportation Planners

• Summary

• Details

Work Activities

• Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
• Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
• Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
• 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.
• Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
• Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
• Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
• Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
• Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
• Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
• Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
• Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
• Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
• Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
• Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
• Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
• Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
• Direct urban traffic counting programs.
• Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
• Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
• Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
• Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
• Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
• Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
• Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.

Skills

• Critical Thinking
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
• Service Orientation
  • Looking for ways to help people.
• Time Management
  • Managing your time and the time of other people.
• Reading Comprehension
  • Reading work-related information.
• Programming
  • Writing computer programs.
• Technology Design
  • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
• Management of Personnel Resources
  • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
• Systems Analysis
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
• Instructing
  • Teaching people how to do something.
• Operation and Control
  • Using equipment or systems.
• Social Perceptiveness
  • Understanding people's reactions.
• Management of Material Resources
  • Managing equipment and materials.
• Coordination
  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
• Equipment Selection
  • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
• Quality Control Analysis
  • Testing how well a product or service works.
• Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
• Active Learning
  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
• Monitoring
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
• Troubleshooting
  • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
• Active Listening
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
• Installation
  • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
• Learning Strategies
  • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
• Complex Problem Solving
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
• Management of Financial Resources
  • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
• Operations Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
• Systems Evaluation
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
• Writing
  • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
• Mathematics
  • Using math to solve problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
• Science
  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
• Negotiation
  • Bringing people together to solve differences.
• Equipment Maintenance
  • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
• Persuasion
  • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
• Speaking
  • Talking to others.
• Operations Analysis
  • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
  • Listening and understanding what people say.
• Selective Attention
  • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
• Visualization
  • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
• Category Flexibility
  • Grouping things in different ways.
• Oral Expression
  • Communicating by speaking.
• Deductive Reasoning
  • Using rules to solve problems.
• Written Expression
  • Communicating by writing.
• Fluency of Ideas
  • Coming up with lots of ideas.
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
• Spatial Orientation
  • Knowing where things are around you.
• Memorization
  • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
• Sound Localization
  • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
• Speech Clarity
  • Speaking clearly.
• Reaction Time
  • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
• Visual Color Discrimination
  • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
• Dynamic Flexibility
  • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Explosive Strength
  • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
• Finger Dexterity
  • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
• Number Facility
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
• Manual Dexterity
  • Holding or moving items with your hands.
• Extent Flexibility
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Peripheral Vision
  • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
• Depth Perception
  • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
• Hearing Sensitivity
  • Telling the difference between sounds.
• Perceptual Speed
  • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
• Far Vision
  • Seeing details that are far away.
• Information Ordering
  • Ordering or arranging things.
• Multilimb Coordination
  • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
• Response Orientation
  • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
• Problem Sensitivity
  • Noticing when problems happen.
• Inductive Reasoning
  • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
• Control Precision
  • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
• Gross Body Coordination
  • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
• Stamina
  • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
• Flexibility of Closure
  • Seeing hidden patterns.
• Written Comprehension
  • Reading and understanding what is written.
• Static Strength
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
• Speech Recognition
  • Recognizing spoken words.
• Mathematical Reasoning
  • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
• Rate Control
  • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
• Trunk Strength
  • Using your lower back and stomach.
• Auditory Attention
  • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
• Night Vision
  • Seeing at night or under low light.
• Speed of Closure
  • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
• Speed of Limb Movement
  • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
• Originality
  • Creating new and original ideas.
• Dynamic Strength
  • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
• Near Vision
  • Seeing details up close.
• Glare Sensitivity
  • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Time Sharing
  • Doing two or more things at the same time.

Knowledge

• Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Foreign Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
• Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Philosophy and Theology
  • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• Administrative
  • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• Economics and Accounting
  • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Fine Arts
  • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Physics
  • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
• Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Sociology and Anthropology
  • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
• English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
• Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Medicine and Dentistry
  • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• 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.
• Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• History and Archeology
  • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
• Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Personnel and Human Resources
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Therapy and Counseling
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Food Production
  • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
• Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Sales and Marketing
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
• Administration and Management
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Education

Education

Bachelor's degree

Work Experience

No work experience

Training

No on-the-job training

Education and Training Opportunities

×

Education and Training Opportunities

• Bastyr University
  14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore WA 98028-4966
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 425-602-3000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.bastyr.edu/
  Program Name
  Human Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Central Washington University
  400 East University Way, Ellensburg WA 98926
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  10,000 - 19,999

  Financial Aid 509-963-1111
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.cwu.edu/
  Program Name
  Behavioral Sciences
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Eastern Washington University
  526 5th Street, Cheney WA 99004-2496
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  10,000 - 19,999

  Financial Aid 509-359-6200
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.ewu.edu/
  Program Name
  Behavioral Sciences
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Adult Development and Aging
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Educational Evaluation and Research
  Length
  Less than one year
  Award Level
  Postbaccalaureate certificate
  Save
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, Other
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• Great Northern University
  611 East Indiana Avenue, Spokane WA 99207-2550
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 509-284-7100
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://www.greatnorthernu.org/
  Program Name
  Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
  Length
  At least one but less than two years
  Award Level
  Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Heritage University
  3240 Fort Rd, Toppenish WA 98948
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  Under 1,000

  Financial Aid 888-272-6190
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.heritage.edu/
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, General
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• Northwest University
  5520 108th Ave NE, Kirkland WA 98083-0579
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 425-822-8266
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.northwestu.edu/
  Program Name
  History and Political Science
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Spokane Falls Community College
  3410 W Whistalks Way, Spokane WA 99224-5288
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-533-3500
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  https://sfcc.spokane.edu/
  Program Name
  Gerontology
  Length
  2 years
  Award Level
  Associate's degree
  Save

  ---

• The Evergreen State College
  2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW, Olympia WA 98505-0001
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 360-867-6170
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.evergreen.edu/
  Program Name
  Energy and Environmental Policy
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save

  ---

• University of Washington-Bothell Campus
  18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell WA 98011-8246
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  5,000 - 9,999

  Financial Aid 425-352-5000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.uwb.edu/
  Program Name
  Learning Sciences
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• University of Washington-Seattle Campus
  1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle WA 98195-4550
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  20,000 and above

  Financial Aid 206-543-2100
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.washington.edu/
  Program Name
  Geography and Environmental Studies
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Behavioral Sciences
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Post-master's certificate, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
  Save
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Learning Sciences
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
  Save
  Program Name
  Human Biology
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Master's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Educational Statistics and Research Methods
  Length
  More than 4 years
  Award Level
  Doctor's degree - research/scholarship, Master's degree
  Save

  ---

• University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
  1900 Commerce St, Tacoma WA 98402-3100
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 253-692-4400
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, Other
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Washington State University
  French Administration Building, Pullman WA 99164-5910
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  20,000 and above

  Financial Aid 509-335-3564
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  https://wsu.edu/
  Program Name
  Educational Evaluation and Research
  Length
  Less than one year
  Award Level
  Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree, Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
  Save
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, General
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Human Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Adult Development and Aging
  Length
  Less than one year
  Award Level
  Postbaccalaureate certificate
  Save
  Program Name
  Gerontology
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Award Level
  Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Educational Statistics and Research Methods
  Length
  Less than one year
  Award Level
  Postbaccalaureate certificate
  Save

  ---

• Western Washington University
  516 High Street, Bellingham WA 98225-9008
  School Type

  Public, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  10,000 - 19,999

  Financial Aid 360-650-3000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://wwu.edu/
  Program Name
  Sustainability Studies
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year
  Save
  Program Name
  Geography and Environmental Studies
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Energy and Environmental Policy
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree, Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year, Postbaccalaureate certificate
  Save

  ---

• Whitman College
  345 Boyer Ave, Walla Walla WA 99362
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-527-5111
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,No graduate offering
  Website

  http://www.whitman.edu/
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, Other
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Human Biology
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Behavioral Sciences
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

• Whitworth University
  300 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane WA 99251
  School Type

  Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

  Admissions
  School Size

  1,000 - 4,999

  Financial Aid 509-777-1000
  Other Degrees Offered

  Undergraduate degree or certificate offering,Graduate degree or certificate offering
  Website

  http://www.whitworth.edu/
  Program Name
  Social Sciences, Other
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save
  Program Name
  Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  Length
  4 years
  Award Level
  Bachelor's degree
  Save

  ---

Close

Pay

Washington Annual Salary

107100/yr

Washington Hourly Wage

51.49/hr

Washington Employment Trends

Currently Employed

1,560

Yearly Projected Openings

180

Personality

Investigative: People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out. They do well at jobs that need:

• Integrity
• Cooperation
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Initiative

Tools

• Desktop computers
• Digital image printers
• Laser fax machine
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Photocopiers
• Special purpose telephones

Technology

• Analytical or scientific software
• Computer aided design CAD software
• Data base user interface and query software
• Desktop publishing software
• Development environment software
• Document management software
• Electronic mail software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Geographic information system
• Graphics or photo imaging software
• Industrial control software
• Internet browser software
• Map creation software
• Mobile location based services software
• Office suite software
• Presentation software
• Project management software
• Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software