Career Details

19-3099.01 - Transportation Planners

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

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

35,600

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

34,900

Estimate

Change in Employment

-700.0

Estimate

Change in Employment %

-2%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
Direct urban traffic counting programs.
Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
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.
Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
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.
Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.

Supplemental

Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

Transportation

English Language

Engineering and Technology

Mathematics

Customer and Personal Service

Design

Geography

Law and Government

Administration and Management

Building and Construction

Communications and Media

Computers and Electronics

Sales and Marketing

Clerical

Economics and Accounting

Public Safety and Security

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Personal communication devices

Computers

Computer printers

Duplicating machines

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Business function specific software

Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software

Content authoring and editing software

Content management software

Data management and query software

Development software

Industry specific software

Network applications software

Information exchange software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Brightpoint Community College

Programs

Eastern Shore Community College

Programs

Germanna Community College

Programs

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Programs

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

This degree is for those who want to transfer to a 4 year college to prepare for a career in broad study fields that demand thinking on many levels, reading, writing, and those that involve any of the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Majors must take two years of a foreign language.

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Specialization

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts lays the foundation for a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and art history, ASL-English Interpretation, communication, Deaf studies, English/literature, history, humanities, journalism, music, philosophy, pre-law, social sciences, speech-language pathology, religious studies, and world languages. The liberal arts promote a broad background of knowledge across the arts, humanities, languages, and social sciences to develop students' abilities in analytical and critical thinking, written and oral communication, and understanding global cultural awareness. The Liberal Arts degree is a two-year program designed for those students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. While the program is designed to provide transfer paths that will match the requirements of four-year colleges and universities, the requirements may differ. Therefore, students are strongly urged to work with their assigned advisor and to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which they plan to transfer. This program requires intermediate proficiency (two years of coursework or its equivalent) in a language other than English.

Associate of Science in General Studies

Associate of Science

This program is for those with transfer goals that are not met by other Reynolds transfer programs. It has 46 credits of broad content courses and 15 that must match core courses in the chosen program at a four year college.

Associate of Science in Social Sciences

Associate of Science

The social sciences are concerned with the study of human society and emphasize the role of analysis, experimentation, and the scientific method. The chief academic disciplines of the social sciences are anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, geography, history, and sociology. The Social Sciences AS degree is designed for those who plan to transfer to a fouryear college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences. The curricula consist of courses in general education (including foreign language, natural science, and social science) typically required in the first two years of a baccalaureate curriculum in the social sciences.

Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Specialization

Associate of Science

The Pre-Social Work specialization is designed for students who plan to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University and major in social work. This specialization was developed in collaboration with VCU, and an articulation agreement exists for eligible students who transfer to VCU. Students who pursue a different degree program at VCU will be subject to a reevaluation of transferable credits for their elected course of study. Students interested in this specialization should meet with the Pre-Social Work program head at Reynolds and are required to do so during their first semester of study.

Northern Virginia Community College

Programs

Liberal Arts, A.A.

Associate of Arts

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor of arts (B.A.).

Liberal Arts: International Studies Specialization, A.A.

Associate of Arts

This program is designed to prepare students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree in international studies. This specialization will broaden the student's education to include more emphasis on other cultures and countries in recognition of the increasing interdependence of today's world.

General Studies, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is a flexible associate degree. For students who plan to transfer, the degree can parallel the first two years of a four-year bachelor of science program if they choose courses that match the transfer institution's requirements. For those students who do not plan to transfer, the degree allows them to structure a program to suit their needs using accumulated credits from a variety of formal and experiential sources.

Social Sciences, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor of science in one of the social sciences. It also prepares students for some teacher certification programs. Students from the A.S. program major in a wide variety of fields, including anthropology, economics, government/political science, history, mass communications, pre-law, psychology, public administration, social work, and sociology.

Social Sciences: Teacher Education Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This curriculum prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university teacher preparation program. It is specifically designed for students who plan to seek endorsement and licensure as teachers in PK-3, PK-6, middle school, or special education.

This degree program is designed to help students earn all of the required endorsement course hours for a teaching license in elementary education for the state of Virginia. In addition, this degree program includes many of the required endorsement courses for licensure in middle school (any subject) and high school history and social sciences. Some of these universities will guarantee admission to graduates of this program who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, earn at least a 'C' in all English courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take the VCLA exam shortly after completing their 200-level English course. Students may want to take the Praxis CORE math exam after completing 9-12 hours of mathematics. The student, working directly with a NOVA Teacher Education Specialization advisor/counselor, should complete a transfer letter of agreement.

Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor of science in a program that requires a background in American Sign Language and the Deaf community. Graduates may use their skills to work in human service fields such as daycare settings and as teacher assistants. Graduates from the program can also transfer to 4-year institutions and major in a wide variety of fields, including ASL instruction, Deaf education, linguistics, Deaf studies (e.g. history, literature, research, etc.), speech-language pathology and audiology, human services, communication sciences and disorders, and social work.

Social Sciences: Political Science Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. Graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to students entering the junior level at four-year colleges and universities.

Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed to prepare students to transfer into baccalaureate programs in the geospatial or social sciences at a four-year institution. Students will learn theory about geospatial systems and how they are used.

Rappahannock Community College

Programs

Southside Virginia Community College

Programs

Tidewater Community College

Programs

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program in the liberal arts. Four-year liberal arts programs prepare graduates for a wide variety of jobs in business, the arts, education, medical and legal professions, and in social and public service occupations. Liberal Arts studies emphasize fine arts, language, literature, philosophy, mathematics, science, social science and analytical and critical thinking skills, all of which prepare students for lifelong learning and social, cultural, and technological change.

Courses required for the Liberal Arts degree are available on all four campuses.

Associate of Science - General Studies

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in General Studies is a flexible degree that allows students to design a curriculum that meets particular transfer objectives that are not fulfilled by existing TCC transfer programs. The program consists of a number of electives that may be selected in consultation with an advisor or counselor to ensure they will be accepted for the preferred program at the four-year institution they plan to attend.

Courses required for the General Studies degree are available on all four campuses.

Associate of Science - Social Sciences

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Social Sciences is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree in one of the social or behavioral sciences. Social Sciences include academic disciplines such as anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology, and psychology. The A.S. in Social Sciences may also prepare students for some teacher certification programs.

Courses required for the Social Sciences degree are available on all four campuses.

Virginia Highlands Community College

Programs

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Programs

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. By exposing students to a variety of academic disciplines, the Liberal Arts program seeks to foster an appreciation of many areas of knowledge and to lay the foundation for students to become life-long learners. The program emphasizes communication, analytical, computational, and critical thinking skills, all of which provide versatility in an ever-expanding global job market. Liberal Arts graduates become teachers, librarians, journalists, Foreign Service officers, medical doctors, and lawyers, among many other types of professionals.

Associate of Science in Social Science

Associate of Science

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. By guiding students to an appreciation of many different fields of knowledge, the Social Science program attempts to educate the whole person and to increase students’ awareness of themselves, their fellow men and women, and the world around them. Social Science graduates become teachers, economists, psychologists, social workers, political scientists, archeologists, government workers, museum guides, and researchers, among many other types of professionals.

Associate of Science in Social Science/Education

Associate of Science

This degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree and pursue a teaching license in pre-kindergarten grade 3 elementary education, pre-kindergarten grade 6 elementary education, special education, and middle school or secondary school social sciences.

Associate of Science in Science/Education

Associate of Science

There is a great demand for qualified science teachers in K-12. This degree is designed for persons who are interested in teaching science at the secondary level and who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree in science education.

Associate of Science in Science/Math Education

Associate of Science

There is a great demand for qualified math teachers in K-12. This degree is designed for persons who are interested in teaching mathematics at the secondary level and who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree in mathematics education.

Virginia Western Community College

Programs

Wytheville Community College

Programs

Jobs

Jobs related to this career may be found on Indeed.com or on the Google Job Search page.