A traffic engineer studies roads and traffic patterns to design transportation systems that serve people in a cost-effective way. They gather information from multiple sources, analyze traffic patterns, and propose solutions to reduce accidents and congestion. Educational requirements vary, but most jobs require a college degree in civil engineering or urban planning.
A traffic engineer is a transportation engineer who studies roads and highways and the habits of the people who use them. It uses this information to design transportation systems that best serve the most people in the most cost-effective way. Analyzing traffic patterns and how they might evolve is an important part of her job.
To effectively analyze traffic patterns and make sound recommendations, it often takes a traffic engineer to gather information from multiple sources. She usually studies crash statistics and confers with police and traffic control personnel on the most dangerous streets and intersections. Options such as speed bumps, directional signs and traffic signal adjustments are often discussed as alternatives to reducing traffic and pedestrian accidents.
She can also meet with traffic sign makers and other engineers to review advances in technology to improve traffic flow. Spot lights in specific areas or at certain times of day can often significantly improve traffic patterns and prevent cumbersome backups during peak hours. Accident rates can also be reduced through traffic light adjustments.
The physical condition of roads and streets are also concerns addressed by a traffic engineer. She regularly examines existing roads to assess their durability and applies her findings when planning future roads. If materials or workmanship are found to be substandard, the traffic engineer is usually required to find possible alternatives. She is expected to submit her ideas and solutions to public works and transport specialists for review.
The focal point of a traffic engineer’s job is largely determined by the type of district he works in. If she works for a state or regional agency, her main concerns are usually the major roads that experience the most frequent and heavy traffic. The safety and most economical maintenance of these highways is one of its main responsibilities.
If the engineer works for a city agency, he probably spends considerable time studying urban parking and traffic congestion problems. Generally, your proposed solutions to these problems are expected to be favorable to residents, visitors, and government agencies. Public transport issues are also a major concern for the city’s traffic engineers.
A traffic engineer is regularly asked to use computer-aided design packages to study traffic patterns and determine how equipment modifications or road changes can improve traffic conditions. She frequently creates visual presentations for meetings and seminars on traffic patterns and industry advancements. In addition to computer skills, a traffic engineer’s success depends in large part on his ability to effectively communicate his concerns and proposed solutions to a wide range of engineers, administrators and consultants.
Educational requirements for this position vary. Most jobs require a college degree in civil engineering, urban planning or a related field. Professionals who later choose to use their degree to teach may need a master’s or doctoral degree. Many engineers also attend employer-mandated seminars and training sessions to further their education.
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