Traffic Technicians - 53-6041.00

Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.

Sample of reported job titles: Engineering Technician, Field Traffic Investigator, Traffic Analyst, Traffic Control Technician, Traffic Investigator, Traffic Signal Technician (TST), Traffic Survey Technician, Traffic Technician, Transportation Planning Technician, Transportation Technician

Tasks

• Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
• Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
• Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
• Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
• Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
• Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
• Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas.
• Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
• Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
• Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
• Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
• Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
• Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
• Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
• Place and secure automatic counters, using power tools, and retrieve counters after counting periods end.
• Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary.
• Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches.
• Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices.
• Visit development or work sites to determine projects' effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures.
• Establish procedures for street closures or for repair or construction projects.
• Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public.
• Monitor street or utility projects for compliance to traffic control permit conditions.
• Develop plans or long-range strategies for providing adequate parking space.
• Interview motorists about specific intersections or highways to gather road-condition information for use in planning.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Dowling Associates TRAFFIX; JAMAR Technologies PETRAPro; Pd' Programming Intersection Magic
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Computer aided design and drafting software CADD; Trafficware SimTraffic
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access
• Industrial control software - Traffic control software; Traffic signal software
• Map creation software - ESRI ArcGIS software ; ESRI ArcView
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Clock timers - Electric timing devices
• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Drafting kits or sets - Drafting instruments
• Electronic counters - Pneumatic traffic counters; Traffic counters
• Floor or platform scales - Portable weight scales
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Plotter printers - Digital plotters
• Portable data input terminals - Data collectors
• Power saws - Pavement cutting saws
• Speed sensors - Radar guns
• Still cameras - 35 millimeter cameras
• Theodolites - Total stations
• Traffic signals - Ramp meters
• Two way radios - Portable two way radios
• Variable message sign - Dynamic message signs

Knowledge

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Interests

• Interest code: RIE
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Context

• Electronic Mail - 78% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 56% responded “Extremely important.”
• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - 52% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 61% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 71% responded “Every day.”
• Time Pressure - 60% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Telephone - 51% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 50% responded “Extremely important.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 71% responded “Some freedom.”
• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - 46% responded “Every day.”
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 39% responded “Every day.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 42% responded “Every day.”
• Contact With Others - 44% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Deal With External Customers - 46% responded “Very important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 34% responded “Very important results.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 40% responded “Extremely important.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 45% responded “Very important.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 58% responded “Some freedom.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 32% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 34% responded “More than half the time.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 31% responded “High responsibility.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 30% responded “Less than half the time.”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 38% responded “More than half the time.”
• Letters and Memos - 28% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - 35% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
43%	High school diploma or equivalent
23%	Some college, no degree
12%	Associate's degree

Work Styles

• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $21.96 hourly, $45,670 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 7,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 800