Transportation Engineering Skills
Do you need transportation engineering skills to function well in your job role? This article provides a guide on how you can develop the skills and include them on your resume.
What are Transportation Engineering Skills?
Transportation engineering skills are the abilities and proficiencies required for the application of technology to ensure safe, efficient, rapid, comfortable, convenient, and environmentally consistent movement of people and goods from place to place. Transportation engineers are responsible for the planning, design, and operation of transportation systems. They use a variety of skills to analyze data, solve problems and develop plans that improve the efficiency of transportation systems.
If you’re interested in a transportation engineering career, understanding the skills that are necessary for this position can help you determine if it’s the right career for you. Transportation engineering skills are needed for the design and setting of the engineering specifications for the construction and development of roadways and transport infrastructure. Transportation engineers apply engineering concepts, skills, and knowledge for developing sustainable and efficient means of transportation ranging from roads to canals, railways, and airports.
It’s necessary for anyone seeking to pursue a career as a transportation engineer to gain the necessary education, work experience, and certifications. It is also essential to master a unique set of skills to navigate this role and its tasks. To get a better future in transportation engineering, you have to integrate with the top key transportation engineering skills. Transportation engineering requires strong mathematics skills, deep knowledge of design principles and tools, and an understanding of technical blueprints and drawings. Transportation engineers are well-versed in engineering science and technology. They know the different types of materials, methods, and tools needed for the construction and repair of transportation structures and systems.
Other skills needed for this job include decision-making, leadership, organization, problem-solving, speaking, and writing. The ability to work well with others is essential because transportation engineering projects involve teams of various engineers, technicians, contractors, subcontractors, supervisors, and others. Transportation engineering skills require proficiency in leadership, problem-solving, project management, analytics, mathematics, decision-making, adaptability, and interpersonal and multidisciplinary skills.
Importance of Transportation Engineering Skills
- Problem-Solving
Transportation engineers use their analytical skills to solve complex problems and develop solutions. They analyze data, research trends, and evaluate the success of transportation projects. This requires them to be detail-oriented and able to interpret information. Transportation engineers also use their analytical skills when they design new systems or processes for public transit agencies. Transportation engineers use problem-solving skills when they encounter challenges during projects, such as unexpected obstacles or delays. They also use this skill when reviewing designs for safety concerns, such as a lack of visibility at an intersection or poor lane markings.
- Career Opportunities
With transportation engineering skills, you can be eligible for diverse field job opportunities. There are multiple job profiles that someone with a degree in transport engineering and planning can pursue. If you wish to be more on-ground and hands-on about transportation then you can choose road or railway transport. If you wish to contribute to a more futuristic trend in transportation then you can become an airport engineer. Furthermore, if you wish to do something a little unusual then you can pursue a career in seaway transportation. Whatever you do the number of opportunities in transport engineering and planning will never run out. All you need to ensure is that you are a well-trained and qualified transport engineer.
- Highway Design
Highway design is the process of creating and implementing roadways. Transportation engineers use their skills in highway design to create new roads, modify existing ones or plan for future construction projects. This involves researching traffic patterns, analyzing data about accidents and other issues on existing highways and designing plans that meet safety standards and satisfy local needs.
- Client Relations
Client relations is the ability to interact with clients and understand their needs. Transportation engineers often work with clients who have questions about a project or want to make changes to an existing system. Having strong client relations can help you build trust with your clients, which may lead to more job opportunities in the future.
How to Improve your Transportation Engineering Skills
- Acquire a Degree
One of the ways to improve your transportation engineering skills is to get a degree in civil engineering with a focus on transportation engineering. This will give you the theoretical knowledge and background necessary to be successful in the field.
- Practical experience
Another way to learn these skills is to get experience working on transportation engineering projects. This can be achieved through internships, co-ops, training, or working as a transportation engineer. Working on projects will give you the practical knowledge and experience necessary to be successful in the field. Training help in learning the specific software and computer programs the company uses. It also familiarizes them with the company’s workflow and procedures. Internship and training experiences can help you understand how others use their skills to ensure the timely completion of a civil engineering project.
- Have a set goal
To improve your transportation engineering skills, you need to set goals and monitor your progress with the set goals. To remain motivated in your skills and keep improving on them, create a plan, set targets and follow up on your development. Setting goals will also allow you to check if you are on the right track or if you need to adjust your plan and employ other strategies to achieve your goal. To develop your organization and focus abilities, you might also find this method a good way to improve them.
- Continual learning
As transportation engineering is constantly evolving, it is essential to keep up with technological trends and advancements. To do this, you can participate in seminars and workshops.
- Criticism and suggestions
Since learning is one of the major ways you can improve your skills, you should be open to suggestions and criticisms. Do not see criticisms as a personal attack or try to contradict suggestions given to you. Instead, pay attention to what more experienced people have to say and deliberate on it. Endeavor to analyze any criticism and suggestions from a logical perspective and see if they are making a valid point.
- Networking
Pursue networking opportunities. You can improve your skills by reaching out to a senior transportation engineer. Network with engineering associations and learn from them. Meeting and getting to know people in the same industry will expose you to new perspectives, new knowledge, new attitudes, and new skills. These connections can also give rise to new opportunities and career options more suitable to your current set of skills.
Jobs that Require Transportation Engineering Skills
- Construction Engineer
Construction engineers concerned with transportation projects work onsite to manage the building of those projects. They ensure that a particular project is on schedule, is built according to the design, and is safe for the workers involved. They invite contractors to submit bids and then choose the best bid. Once work begins, engineers make sure that schedules are met and building standards are followed. When a highway is being constructed, for example, engineers check the building materials
- Transportation Planner
A transportation planner anticipates and overcomes the challenges involved with building transportation roadways and facilities. In planning projects, engineers consider costs, the needs of the town or state, and the availability of land. They determine whether the land is good for building—marshland may have to be filled or treated before construction begins—and how the projects could affect the environment. Once these factors have been analyzed, engineers make detailed proposals. Planners must balance the needs and concerns of the public with the demands of the project. They may need to minimize building effects on the surrounding environment for a new highway by building noise barriers for concerned residents. Planners also may be asked to testify in court, justify their plans to neighborhood groups and discuss projects with local media.
- Transportation engineer
A Transportation Engineer is an engineer that designs or improves transportation systems to allow for safe and efficient traffic flow on roadways, airplanes, trains, ships, buses, and more. Transport Engineers focus on designing new transportation systems and infrastructures, including highways, airports, trains, bridges, etc. They do this by analyzing data, identifying problems, and solving them with innovative solutions. Solving these complex problems typically requires the collection and evaluation of systems, traffic flow, accidents, costs, and other statistics. Transport Engineers may also be required to collaborate with other parties on certain projects, including utility companies and government departments.
- Transportation Designer
Transportation designers use technology, engineering know-how, and experience to design transportation projects. Before deciding on a definite plan, designers often have numerous computer models detailing the likely effects of each design. The ideal design fits the purpose of a project, has the least impact on the surrounding environment, and costs the least.
- Traffic Engineer
Traffic engineers ensure the efficient, safe, and convenient flow of people and goods on interstates, roads, highways, and streets. Traffic engineers analyze accident statistics, take traffic counts, evaluate roadway conditions, study speed data, conduct their research, and communicate with other professionals in the field.
How to Include Transportation Engineering Skills on Your Resume
- Write a good summary section
Your professional summary section which in other words is called career objectives is a brief description of your career. This is the first place your recruiter sees in your resume, therefore it needs to be enticing enough to keep the recruiter reading through the resume. Keep it brief, about 3 to 4 sentences, and straight to the point. Choose the right words and mention your ability in transportation engineering to make it compelling enough.
- Review the job posting closely.
Go through the Transportation Engineer posting you’re applying to, and identify the hard skills the company is looking for. For example, skills like Transportation Planning, Drainage, and Transportation Engineering are possible skills. These are skills you should try to include in your resume.
- Highlight any software engineering or development experience.
Programming and software development are common skill sets for Transportation Engineer roles, so try to highlight related accomplishments in your summary, work experience or skills sections.
- Show operational experience.
Recruiters are going to want to see real operational experience for most Transportation Engineer roles, so emphasize any experience you have improving the operations of a company and general operational efficiency.
Examples of How to Include Transportation Engineering Skills on Your Resume
Professional Summary
A professional and goal-oriented engineer with 4 years of experience and a track record in the field of traffic engineering and management. In-depth knowledge of traffic safety and traffic operations; with strong analytical background and practical experience in the successful management of transportation projects. Possess effective leadership skills and can supervise project staff members.
Experience
- Designed transportation facilities and prepared plans, estimates, and specifications for companies over 3 years.
- Performed environmental documentation and permitting for 15 transportation projects.
- Developed plans for transportation projects, estimates, specifications and upgrades of traffic signals.
- Analyzed traffic operations and ensured streets are free of traffic problems, and there is highway safety.
- Developed operations analysis plans, demand forecasting, and quantity & cost tracking schemes.
- Prepared technical reports for transportation projects which helped to keep track of progress made
- Ensured that clients are provided with satisfaction in terms of services offered.
- Evaluated all major aspects of transportation engineering by revolving through various functions.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, 2020
- Training Course in Travel Demand Forecasting
- Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
How to Demonstrate Transportation Engineering Skills in an Interview
- Ensure your answers to questions are relevant to the job descriptions
- Emphasize your most proficient skills and how relevant they are to the job
- Connect the transportation engineering skills you have to the job requirements
- Use transportation engineering terminology in your responses
- Speak with confidence in your skills
- Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the position you are applying for
- Ensure your responses are consistent with the information you gave in your resume
Examples of Interview Questions to Test Transportation Engineering Skills
- What are some of the most important considerations when designing a new road or highway?
- What is your process for determining the safety of a new transportation design?
- When designing a new transportation system, what is your process for determining the initial cost and long-term maintenance costs?
- Describe your experience with using computer-aided design software.
- What do you think is the most important transportation engineering skill to have?
- Are you familiar with the local, state, and federal laws about transportation engineering?