As a transport or traffic planner, you will help manage the growth of road, rail and air transport. This could include large-scale projects such as assessing the impact of a new motorway, or smaller jobs like developing traffic management schemes for town centres.
Who can I work for?
Most opportunities lie with central and local government, strategic development bodies, transport and logistics companies, airports and specialist consultancies.
Where and when can I work?
You'll usually work 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You will be mostly office based, although some time may be spent on site visits and at planning meetings.
What can I earn?
Graduate transport planners can earn approximately £20,000 a year with postgraduates earning slightly higher. At consultant level, you can expect to earn significantly more.
What are the benefits?
Job prospects are good, with growing demand for transport planners in local government. You can work on exciting new initiatives looking at more eco-friendly transport options.
Are there chances of promotion?
With experience, you could become a senior transport planner, traffic engineer or move into town planning.
What will I be responsible for?
You will be simulating transport problems and working out solutions, analysing and interpreting data from transport studies, forecasting the impact of new developments, and developing schemes to manage traffic, such as congestion charging and parking controls.
Do I need any experience?
You'll need a degree in a relevant subject such as transport planning, civil engineering, geography, maths or environmental science. Alternatively, you could start as a transport planning assistant or technician if you have a BTEC HNC/HND in similar subject areas.
What attributes are needed?
Good project management and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and presentation skills plus an understanding of transport issues and a good knowledge of computer modelling software.