# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 17-2051.01
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Traffic Engineer
- Transportation Engineer
- Rail Engineer
- Roadway Designer
- Roadway Engineer
- State Roadway Design Engineer
- Traffic Operations Engineer
- Airport Engineer
- Civil Transportation Engineer
- Highway Civil Engineer

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.b.2.b |
| Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function. | Core | 4.A.2.b.6.b |
| Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings. | Core | 4.A.4.a.3.b |
| Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety. | Core | 4.A.4.b.6.i |
| Estimate transportation project costs. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.b |
| Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.m |
| Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.g |
| Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. | Core | 4.A.2.b.5.b |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Develop plans for integration of drone technology into transportation systems for purposes such as delivery of goods or traffic monitoring. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Explain project details to the general public. | 4.A.4.a.3.b |
| Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans. | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Prepare technical or operational reports. | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems. | 4.A.2.a.1.g |
| Develop software or computer applications. | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Schedule operational activities. | 4.A.2.b.5.b |
| Determine operational criteria or specifications. | 4.A.3.b.2.a |
| Prepare project budgets. | 4.A.4.b.4.h |
| Create graphical representations of civil structures. | 4.A.2.b.2.o |
| Prepare detailed work plans. | 4.A.2.b.6.b |
| Negotiate contracts for transportation, distribution, or logistics services. | 4.A.4.a.7.b |
| Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers. | 4.A.4.a.7.b |
| Create models of engineering designs or methods. | 4.A.3.b.2.d |
| Advise others on health and safety issues. | 4.A.4.b.6.i |
| Test characteristics of materials or structures. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards. | 4.A.1.b.2.e |
| Direct surveying activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.e |
| Estimate operational costs. | 4.A.1.b.3.b |
| Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans. | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality. | 4.A.2.a.4.e |
| Investigate the environmental impact of projects. | 4.A.1.a.1.j |
| Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Design civil structures or systems. | 4.A.3.b.2.b |
| Design environmental control systems. | 4.A.2.b.2.m |
| Incorporate green features into the design of structures or facilities. | 4.A.3.b.2.b |
| Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications. | 4.A.2.a.3.b |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 4.9 |
| Design | knowledge | 4.77 |
| Transportation | knowledge | 4.55 |
| Building and Construction | knowledge | 4.23 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 4.18 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 4 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 4 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Written Expression | ability | 4 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 4 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 4 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.88 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3.88 |
| Number Facility | ability | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Systems Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.75 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.75 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.73 |
| Physics | knowledge | 3.68 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.62 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.5 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.45 |
| Operations Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Law and Government | knowledge | 3.38 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Sidra Intersection | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Project Management Software | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Bentley MicroStation | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | yes |
| ESRI ArcGIS software | Geographic information system | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Project | Project management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management | Project management software | yes | no |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| Structured query language SQL | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Cubic Synchro Studio | Analytical or scientific software | no | yes |
| OpenRoads Designer | Computer aided design CAD software | no | yes |
| PTV Vissim | Analytical or scientific software | no | yes |
| Autodesk Land Desktop | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Bentley InRoads Suite | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Citilabs Cube | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Computer aided design and drafting software CADD | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| McTrans HCS+ | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| McTrans TRANSYT-7F | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| SIDRA INTERSECTION | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Trafficware SimTraffic | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Trafficware SynchroGreen | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Transoft Solutions AutoTURN | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Visual Solutions VisSIM | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Warehouse management system WMS | Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 5 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.86 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.73 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.5 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.45 |
| Contact With Others | 4.27 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 4.27 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.27 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.95 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.95 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.86 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.86 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.82 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.8 |
| Time Pressure | 3.73 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.5 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.38 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.36 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.32 |
| Level of Competition | 3.18 |
| Conflict Situations | 3 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.95 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.86 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.86 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 2.86 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.77 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.5 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.48 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.45 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.41 |
| Public Speaking | 2.36 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 2.32 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 2.32 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.27 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.23 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.09 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.86 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.82 |
| Exposed to High Places | 1.82 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 1.77 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 4
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- **Experience:** A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- **Svp Range:** (7.0 to < 8.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's Degree | 77.27 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.09 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.09 |
| Master's Degree | 4.55 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 6.33 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.37 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 5.08 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.41 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 3.94 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 3.09 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 2.97 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.73 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 2.67 |
| Public Speaking | specific_interest_area | 2.51 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.35 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.25 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 2.17 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.16 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 17-2051.00 | role-17-2051-00 | Civil Engineers | Primary-Short |
| 19-3099.01 | role-19-3099-01 | Transportation Planners | Primary-Short |
| 17-3022.00 | role-17-3022-00 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 53-6041.00 | role-53-6041-00 | Traffic Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 47-4051.00 | role-47-4051-00 | Highway Maintenance Workers | Primary-Short |
| 47-4011.00 | role-47-4011-00 | Construction and Building Inspectors | Primary-Long |
| 11-9021.00 | role-11-9021-00 | Construction Managers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2081.00 | role-17-2081-00 | Environmental Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2051.02 | role-17-2051-02 | Water/Wastewater Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 17-2112.00 | role-17-2112-00 | Industrial Engineers | Primary-Long |
| 13-1081.01 | role-13-1081-01 | Logistics Engineers | Supplemental |
| 11-3071.00 | role-11-3071-00 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |
| Public Service & Safety | public-service-safety |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Engineering | engineering |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 99590
- **Mean Wage:** 107050
- **Pct10Wage:** 65920
- **Pct25Wage:** 78790
- **Pct75Wage:** 128290
- **Pct90Wage:** 160990
- **Employment:** 355410
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 202800 | 99670 | 8.17 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 188160 | 99380 | 70.6 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 44580 | 82970 | 2.38 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 5010 | 108140 | 0.24 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 4190 | 104310 | 0.14 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 3180 | 117740 | 0.49 |
| 53 | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Sector | 2500 | 90510 | 0.46 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 2070 | 102000 | 0.07 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 2050 | 89610 | 0.7 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 2050 | 129690 | 0.34 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 1940 | 113380 | 1.45 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1910 | 81490 | 0.14 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 188160 | 70.6 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 202800 | 8.17 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 1040 | 2.65 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 44580 | 2.38 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 320 | 1.95 |
| 237130 | 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | National industry | 960 | 1.78 |
| 238110 | 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | National industry | 910 | 1.53 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 1940 | 1.45 |
- **Count:** 31

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.019 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 1.282867 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 1.97666 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.9267973 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 81
- **Percentile:** 85
- **Band:** High
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 85 | felten_aioe |
| 90 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 69 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 1.282867 | 85 | High | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.9772727272727273 | 90 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.20538238639198114 | 69 | High | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.019
- **Percentile:** 14
- **Band:** Low
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** yes

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.022727272727272728
- **Beta:** 0.5
- **Gamma:** 0.9772727272727273

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules. | 0.011400564482003541 | 4 |
| Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects. | 0.007189545168831061 | 3.79 |
| Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. | 0.004416434889424795 | 3.71 |
| Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards. | 0.004313727101298638 | 3.5 |
| Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices. | 0.0035947725844155307 | 4.1 |
| Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes. | 0.002773110279406267 | 3 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 5
- **Growth Percentile:** 74
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 23.6
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 80
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 368.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 387.5

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 3
- **Task Count:** 6
- **Total Sample:** 180
- **Autonomy Median:** 3.5
- **Dominant Collaboration:** task iteration
- **Augmentation Share:** 23.3
- **Work Use Percent:** 39.81

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| task iteration | 23.3 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| work | 39.81 |
| coursework | 16.5 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. | 0.003600450056257032 | task iteration | 3.5 | 36 |
| 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. | 0.003500437554694337 |  | 4 | 35 |
| Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards. | 0.003200400050006251 |  | 3 | 32 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. | 91.66666666666666 | 36 |
| Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards. | 90.625 | 32 |
| 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. | 82.85714285714286 | 35 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Let's work through this together, step by step: prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. I'll give feedback as we go. | task iteration |
| Help me with this part of my job: 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 |  |
| Help me with this part of my job: investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards |  |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 26
- **Skills:** 39
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 31
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** cf6858dfeba7538c