Transport planner
Also known as: traffic and highway engineer, development engineer - transport planning, junior transport planner, highway and drainage engineer, transport planner - development planning, traffic planner
About this occupation
Traffic planners develop and implement policies in order to improve transport systems, taking into account the social, environmental and economic factors. They collect and analyse traffic data using statistical modelling tools.
Essential skills and knowledge
- conduct environmental surveys
- traffic engineering
- analyse environmental data
- analyse transport business networks
- environmental legislation
- analyse test data
- possess visual literacy
- analyse transport studies
- analyse transportation costs
- identify statistical patterns
- develop urban transport studies
- urban planning
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Transportation Planners (O*NET 19-3099.01). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$101,110 a year (2025), 37,100 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.7)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.5)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.1)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Transportation Engineers
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Logistics Engineers
- Logisticians
- Traffic Technicians
- Logistics Analysts
- Civil Engineers
- Project Management Specialists
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.