Transportation Planners

Transportation planners usually have four or more years of work-related experience. Some states also require that transportation planners be certified and licensed. Planners receive on-the-job training. The job requires strong knowledge of transportation principles and methods, engineering science and technology applications, and mathematics. Transportation planners collaborate with engineers and other professionals and also work with the public, so they must be able to write and speak in ways that others understand clearly. They must also have the ability to gather information from various sources, identify problems, and come up with solutions that make sense. Active listening, critical thinking, and decision-making skills are essential in this field.  

Planners must also have strong technology skills because they use a variety of software programs on the job. Some examples include analytical or scientific software such as Dowling Associates TRAFFIX; SAS; and TRL Software TRANSYT. They use computer-aided design software such as Autodesk AutoCAD and AutoCAD Civil 3D, as well as Bentley Microstation. They must be well versed in map creation software, like ESRI ArcGIS and ArcView; in graphics or photo imaging software, like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop; and in database user interface and query software, such as Microsoft Access and SQL.