Careers in Transportation Engineering

THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESSION IS:

Engineers
Planners
Researchers
Designers
Builders
Teachers
Environmentalists
It's a vital growing profession with excellent career growth potential
and exciting opportunities.
As a transportation professional, you'll plan, design, operate and
manage transportation facilities working as a consultant, researcher,
or in government.
THE TRANSPORTATI ON PROFESSI ON
Transportation professionals are responsible for planning,
designing, and operating streets and highways, transit systems,
airports, railroads, ports, and harbors to provide for the safe,
rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical and environmentally
compatible movement of people and goods.
As transportation professional you can work on a wide variety of
projects, such as:
Contributes to the needs of society- major functional systems of
the society- presents number of issues and challenges such as
traffic congestion, safety, better roads, rural connectivity
Contribute to the protection and enhancement of the
environment- Transportation systems have major impacts on
environment- they have the opportunity to protect it.
Be involved in application of advance technology- ITS such as
electronic toll collection, advanced traveler information,
advanced vehicle control systems etc, development of
performance based material specification, innovative materials
and their characterization, better pavement management
systems, advanced material testing etc
Work outdoors- field studies, supervision of transportation
construction projects in the positions of Resident Engineer,
Senior Traffic Engineer, Senior Material Engineer, Highway
Engineer, Transportation project manager.etc
Own a business or work in management
TRANSPORTATION CAREERS
Transportation professionals work in planning, design and
construction, operations, and research, among many other fields.
Planning
As a transportation planner you will work with other transportation
professionals, as well as people in technical vocations, neighborhood
groups and public officials. Many projects require the preparation of
environmental documents since the project's success may depend on
minimizing the effects on air, water, noise and wildlife. Noise barriers,
landscaping or special design considerations may be required. It is
the planners responsibility to meet each challenge and to present a
solution that both does the job and addresses the concerns of the
public. You may be called upon to justify your plan to neighborhood
groups, lawyers, business leaders, news media and elected officials.
Design and Construction
Geometric design
Pavement design
Traffic management design issues
Work outdoors at various positions
Operations
Transportation operations is another important field of the
transportation profession. Traffic engineers are responsible for
design, implementation and maintenance of traffic controls,
signs and pavement markings.
Traffic control
Traffic engineers use computers to monitor the flow of traffic
onto existing freeways, to control parking decks, analyze
accident locations, determine roadway capacities, improve
traffic flow at intersections, and coordinate the operation of
traffic signals throughout a city.
Traffic engineers must work with developers, planners and
designers to meet the challenge of providing a safe and
efficient transportation system.
The field of operations also includes working with public
transportation. Public transportation professionals are
challenged to determine the routes and service frequency to
meet the demand at the least cost.
Research
EDUCATI ON
Post graduate, doctoral degree
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS
Most transportation engineers are employed by local, state or
consulting firms. Many are engaged in teaching and research at
colleges and universities. Research positions are also available in
different laboratories.
No. of consulting firms mostly based in New Delhi
WHERE TO LOOK FOR I NFORMATION
India
Central Road Research Institute
Central Institute of Road Transport
National Transportation Planning and Research Centre
Highway Research Station
Rail India Techno Economical Services

USA
Institute of Transportation Engineers

American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials

American Public Transit Association

American Public Works Association

American Road & Transportation Builders Association

Association of American Railroads

Transportation Research Board

U.S. Department of Transportation