What does a Transportation Planner do?
Transportation planners work alongside government agencies to help select and develop plans to organize mass transit. They create routes for community use, including walking, bicycling, busing, or by rail. They utilize engineering science and technology and consider the safety, environmental, and efficiency issues involved, including land use or infrastructure analysis. They allocate resources and develop projects, and they are responsible for identifying the needs, plans, estimates, and adherence to regulations.
Transportation planners write concise reports that describe features and available options while making recommendations. They answer inquiries from the public, environmental groups, government bodies and agencies, the business community, and any funding partners and liaise with stakeholders. Transportation managers model solutions and test actions before final implementation occurs and may be called upon to act as expert witnesses at a public inquiry. Transportation planners need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related fields.
- Prepare project requirements, constraints, opportunity mapping and required analysis.
- Assist in the preparation for and participation in client and stakeholder information meetings, site data collection visits, stakeholder interviews, charrettes, and in-progress reviews.
- Prepare viable project alternatives for evaluation including adaptive reuse, repair, modernization and new construction. and lead preparation of proposed capital investments plans.
- Perform site visits to any of the 160 site locations to assist with host communication, establish facilities condition assessment standard business processes, and ensure policy compliance.
- Bachelor's Degree in computer science, computer information systems, engineering or business, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with GIS, AutoCAD, GIT, ACIP, CSCP, AS/400, and CAD software and systems.
- Comfortable collaborating with others and is an excellent communicator with all involved parties.
- A problem solver with a demonstrated sound judgment and work ethic.
How much does a Transportation Planner make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$75,481
/ yrTransportation Planner Career Path
Learn how to become a Transportation Planner, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Transportation Planner Insights
Keter“I felt like the training was a little unorganized and at first there isn’t much to do so it was really boring.”
CEMEX“Job satisfaction is great and good”
City of Federal Way, Washington“Starting in December my manager stopped my weekly 1:1’s and I started to feel isolated and alone.”
Atkins“Poor at career development and recognition”
Arup“Passionate and talented people to work with.”
Mott MacDonald“Lots of development opportunities and good people to work with.”
KIPDA“Can be close to home”
Jacobs“It is overall a great place to start your career”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Transportation Planner
- Planner
- Supply Chain Manager
- Material Planner
- Production Planner