What Do Transportation Planners Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.

Other tasks include:

• Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
• 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.
• Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
• Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
• Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
• Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.

We asked Transportation Planners how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Transportation Planners collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level. They interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.

• Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
• Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
• Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
• Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
• Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.

We asked some Transportation Planners a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	81% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	39% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	20% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Transportation Planners also design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas. They may also recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Transportation Planners Evaluate transportation project needs or costs. They might also Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.

In addition, they Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them 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.

To some Transportation Planners, it is also their responsibility to Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Transportation Planner, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm

https://www.planning.org/

https://www.planning.org/aicp/

http://www.planningaccreditationboard.org/