Occupation Summary

Traffic Technicians

O*NET 53-6041.00

Description:

Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.

Annual Wages:
$48,723.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by %.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
  2. Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
  3. Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
  4. Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
  5. Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
  6. Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
  7. Visit development or work sites to determine projects' effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures.
  8. Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
  9. Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
  10. Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
  11. Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
  12. Place and secure automatic counters, using power tools, and retrieve counters after counting periods end.
  13. Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
  14. Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
  15. Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary.
  16. Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
  17. Establish procedures for street closures or for repair or construction projects.
  18. Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas.
  19. Monitor street or utility projects for compliance to traffic control permit conditions.
  20. Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices.
  21. Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches.
  22. Develop plans or long-range strategies for providing adequate parking space.
  23. Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Traffic Technicians employed Annual Growth Rate
Architectural, engineering, and related services 9.2 0.00
Highway, street, and bridge construction 2.2 0.00


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $23.42
2023 National average hourly wage $27.25




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
Region Employment Projected Employment 2032 Projected
Annual Openings 2032
Annual
Growth Rate
Average Income
Texas (all regions) Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
* 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
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.
78.20%
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
78.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
78.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
72.40%
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.
70.00%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
66.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
66.40%
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.
65.80%
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.
65.60%
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.
63.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
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.
72.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
65.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
65.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
65.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
65.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
65.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
62.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
62.40%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
60.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
77.60%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
77.60%
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%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
75.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
72.40%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
67.60%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
67.60%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
67.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.00%
Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
62.40%


  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Processing Information
    -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.



Tools

Clock timers: Electric timing devices;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Drafting kits or sets: Drafting instruments;

Electronic counters: Pneumatic traffic counters; Traffic counters;

Floor or platform scales: Portable weight scales;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Plotter printers: Digital plotters;

Portable data input terminals: Data collectors;

Power saws: Pavement cutting saws;

Speed sensors: Radar guns;

Still cameras: 35 millimeter cameras;

Theodolites: Total stations;

Traffic signals: Ramp meters;

Two way radios: Portable two way radios;

Variable message sign: Dynamic message signs;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Dowling Associates TRAFFIX; JAMAR Technologies PETRAPro; Pd' Programming Intersection Magic; SAS; The MathWorks MATLAB;

Business intelligence and data analysis software: Tableau;

Computer aided design CAD software: Trafficware SimTraffic; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Autodesk AutoCAD; Bentley MicroStation;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Salesforce software;

Data base user interface and query software: Oracle Database; Structure query language SQL; Microsoft Access;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS systems;

Industrial control software: Traffic control software; Traffic signal software;

Object or component oriented development software: C++; Python; R;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Traffic Technicians include:
  • 53-2021.00 Air Traffic Controllers
  • 53-6051.01 Aviation Inspectors
  • 17-3022.00 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 47-4011.00 Construction and Building Inspectors
  • 47-4051.00 Highway Maintenance Workers
  • 53-4011.00 Locomotive Engineers
  • 51-8012.00 Power Distributors and Dispatchers
  • 53-4031.00 Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
  • 17-3031.00 Surveying and Mapping Technicians
  • 53-6051.07 Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation


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.