Traffic & Transportation Engineer

Introduction
Traffic and transportation is a specialised branch of civil engineering. Civil engineers are problem solvers, working to overcome the various problems posed by modern technological society such as pollution, traffic congestion, urban development, community planning, and drinking water and energy needs. They are involved with the design and construction of anything that is not a building - roads, railways, airports, bridges, dams and harbours.  Transportation engineers are hands-on engineers. But even though they do not drive policy, they plan and design systems for moving people and goods safely and efficiently.

Work Environment
This is both office-based and on-site - in a variety of public locations where traffic is involved. Special clothing such as hard hats, strong boots and visible clothing is provided. The engineer will always need to carry tools and equipment on site visits.

Daily Activities
This description will concentrate on the Traffic Engineer even though there is some overlap with other types of engineering work to do with highways and the broader transportation issues. As team members, they may be asked by the County Engineer to work on several schemes at once or specialise in one or two. For example, traffic engineers may concentrate on finding solutions to traffic management problems in a busy urban environment.  Their day may begin with an on-site survey of the problem, taking notes and measurements and discussing it with local people. This may be a road in a town centre with a high accident rate. They may think that the solution is to provide new or better traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. Or, it could be that parking or traffic congestion is a problem. Perhaps cycling lanes or extra parking facilities are needed.

Back at the office, the engineers will draft proposals for new solutions to problems which are safe, efficient and value for money in consultation with all the parties involved, including other officers of the municipal environmental services department. Once agreement has been reached, they will then plan and design environmental improvement schemes. The engineer's brief may also include a responsibility for safe routes to school, rural transportation and non-car based travel such as railroads and airfields.  Once the construction begins, traffic engineers monitor progress to ensure that the work is carried out properly and meets the required standards and guidelines. They will distribute some aspects of the job to engineering assistants and technicians and supervise their performance.

Skills & Interests
The attributes required are those that all engineers are expected to have:

  • practical ability; 
  • a facility for solving problems - and enjoying it!
  • creativity; 
  • ability to think logically; 
  • teamwork skills; 
  • effective written and mathematical skills; 
  • computer literacy.

Entry Requirements
A degree or HNC in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other appropriate qualification is essential.  Civil Engineers must complete the Professional Qualification Scheme of the Institution.  Of Civil Engineers - this includes training, practical experience and examinations.  It is usually desirable to have at least 4 years post qualification in traffic management.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
Possible opportunities in the public and private sector include:

  • construction contractors; 
  • engineering consulting firms; 
  • manufacturing companies; 
  • national government; 
  • public works and environment departments; 
  • property developers; 
  • public utilities - gas, water, electricity; 
  • resource industries; 
  • highway maintenance engineering.

Many companies offer apprenticeships to school leavers as well as sponsoring undergraduates. In these, as in local authority work, engineers may progress to project management and Chief or County Engineer posts. In the private sector some become company partners or establish their own companies. For those with appropriate qualifications, lecturing in universities and further education establishments is possible.

Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) www.ciht.org.uk
Institution of Civil Engineers www.ice.org.uk
Institute of Highway Engineers www.ihie.org.uk
Engineering Council www.engc.org.uk
SEMTA www.semta.org.uk
GoSkills www.goskills.org
www.discoverengineering.org

Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/  

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.

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