Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

On the job, you would:

Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		90%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		89%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		82%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		81%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		76%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		76%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		71%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		71%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		63%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		61%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		61%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		59%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		56%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		55%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		51%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		95%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
		83%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		72%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		72%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		72%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		67%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		67%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		75%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		75%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		72%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		72%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		72%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		69%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		69%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		69%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		66%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		56%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		56%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
		53%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		66%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		63%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		63%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		61%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		59%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		59%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		57%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		57%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		55%	Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
		55%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		55%	Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
		55%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		55%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		54%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		54%	Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
		54%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		54%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		52%	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Explain project details to the general public.

Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.

Prepare technical or operational reports.

Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.

Develop software or computer applications.

Determine operational criteria or specifications.

Schedule operational activities.

Prepare project budgets.

Create graphical representations of civil structures.

Prepare detailed work plans.

Create models of engineering designs or methods.

Advise others on health and safety issues.

Test characteristics of materials or structures.

Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.

Direct surveying activities.

Estimate operational costs.

Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.

Design civil structures or systems.

Design environmental control systems.

Incorporate green features into the design of structures or facilities.

Prepare detailed work plans.

Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.

Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		97%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		93%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		88%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		86%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		82%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		82%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		82%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		74%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		74%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		72%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		72%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		71%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		70%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		68%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		63%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		60%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		59%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		58%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		55%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		71%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		94%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		88%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		86%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		82%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		81%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		80%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		78%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		77%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		77%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		77%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		76%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		76%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		76%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		74%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		74%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		73%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		72%	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		72%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		72%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		72%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		69%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		68%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		67%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		67%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		67%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		64%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		58%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		57%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		56%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		55%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Getting Started

Education:

77%

Bachelor's Degree

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Transportation Engineers

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

Getting Started