Traffic Engineer

Also known as:

Engineer, Traffic
Road Traffic Engineer
Transport/Traffic Engineer
Transportation Engineer

Introduction

Traffic engineers plan and design transport improvements including junctions, parking, traffic control systems and public transport systems. The work also involves visiting sites and supervising work.

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Work Activities

Traffic engineers (often known as transportation engineers) aim to maximise road safety, minimise traffic congestion and meet environmental and community demands. They do this by planning and designing roads, junctions, roundabouts, traffic signals, traffic control systems, parking policies, pedestrianisation and public transport schemes.

They may improve a road system because of a high number of accidents in a particular place; because of an increase in traffic, or to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, for example. Studies, carried out to find the cause of such problems, help the traffic engineer to find possible solutions. They look at plans and consider their costs and environmental effects. Traffic engineers may work with the public when considering new road and transport systems.

Other duties include visiting sites, supervising work, having meetings with clients, writing reports and making calculations.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a traffic engineer you need to be able to analyse and solve problems using computers. You also need to be able to write clear reports.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary depending on the organisation, role and level of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Traffic engineers earn in the range of £23,000 - £27,500 a year, rising to around £34,000 - £45,000. Higher earners can make around £50,000 a year.

Most work around 35-40 hours from Monday to Friday. However, you may have early starts and late finishes, and you may need to work some weekends.

Most traffic engineers work for local authorities. Other employers are the Department of Transport, construction companies and environmental organisations.

Some work for firms of transportation or highway planning consultants that are contracted to advise local authorities, transport executives, central government and research organisations. Others work as private consultants.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant qualifications or skills and abilities gained in work in the construction industry or as an engineering technician, is an advantage.

People without the usual academic qualifications can achieve membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers via the Technical Report Route (TRR). See ICE website for guidance on entry requirements.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Quest Scholarships are available to candidates with a conditional offer for an ICE accredited course in civil engineering.

Sponsorship for study at higher education level is available through the larger building/construction companies.

• 14% of traffic and civil engineers are self-employed.
• 6% work part-time.
• 10% have flexible hours.

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