Occupation Summary

Transportation Planners

O*NET 19-3099.01

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$100,134.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 8.05%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
  2. Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
  3. Direct urban traffic counting programs.
  4. Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
  5. Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
  6. Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
  7. Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
  8. Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
  9. Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
  10. 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.
  11. Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
  12. Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
  13. Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
  14. Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
  15. Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
  16. Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
  17. Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
  18. Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
  19. Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
  20. Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
  21. Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
  22. Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Transportation Planners employed Annual Growth Rate
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 11.5 0.47
Scientific research and development services 9.5 0.28
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 2.2 1.18


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $48.14
2024 National average hourly wage $51.17
2022 National employment 36,500
2022 Texas employment 2,237
Texas projected employment by 2032 2,417
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 205




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
96.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
77.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
77.00%
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.
74.00%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
73.60%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
69.40%
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.
68.00%
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.
66.00%
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.
62.00%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
60.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
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.
80.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
80.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
77.60%
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
75.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
75.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
72.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
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).
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
77.60%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
75.00%


  • 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.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    -- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • 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.
Other Activities


  • 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.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital image printers: Blueprint machines;

Laser fax machine: Laser facsimile machines;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;

Special purpose telephones: Multi-line telephone systems;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Citilabs Cube; Crash Mapping Analysis Tool CMAT; Dowling Associates TRAFFIX; McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM; McTrans HCS+; IBM SPSS Statistics; Iteris Turbo Architecture; PTV VISUM; Quadstone Paramics; Roundabout Delay RODEL; SAS; Strong Concepts TEAPAC; Texas Transportation Institute TTI Progression Analysis and Signal System Evaluation Routine PASSER; TRL Software TRANSYT; Visual Solutions VisSIM;

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D; Bentley MicroStation; Caliper TransCAD;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access; Structured query language SQL;

Desktop publishing software: Adobe InDesign;

Development environment software: Microsoft Visual Basic;

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software;

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;

Industrial control software: Traffic signal software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Map creation software: MapInfo;

Mobile location based services software: Transportation management system TMS software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Microsoft Project; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Transportation Planners include:
  • 17-3022.00 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 17-2051.00 Civil Engineers
  • 13-1081.00 Logisticians
  • 13-1081.02 Logistics Analysts
  • 13-1081.01 Logistics Engineers
  • 13-1082.00 Project Management Specialists
  • 53-6041.00 Traffic Technicians
  • 17-2051.01 Transportation Engineers
  • 11-3071.00 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
  • 19-3051.00 Urban and Regional Planners


No sources of additional information found.

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.