Transport Economist- Career Advice - Transport and Travel

Clerical or Organising

A transport economist studies the efficiency, financial organisation and interaction of systems such as railways, air transport, shipping, trucks, buses and cars. They examine the allocation of private and Future Growth Strong government resources to transport systems and the implications of fuel production and importation.

Transportation planners use logistics skills, transportation management skills and planning skills to create unique solutions to public transportation challenges. For example, a transportation planner might create a solution to a congestion issue in a city's downtown roadways by recruiting an engineer to design a new tunnel. Planners bring creativity and extensive knowledge in transportation and logistics to create unique, effective solutions. Since regions and cities often differ in their transportation infrastructures, transportation planners understand how to work with the unique layout of an area for the best results.

Transportation planners also work with government agencies to help determine budgets for specific transportation projects. For example, if a city official wants to build a new bridge to alleviate traffic flow around a river, they might consult with a transportation planner to determine the needs of the project. The planner helps create an outline of the project's requirements, including the total cost of the new project. Planners might consult with other experts, like civil engineers, to provide more accurate budget estimates and determine the logistics of building large structures.

Transport economists also study the effects of regulation, development and the application of demand models, as well as analyse the implications of investment proposals in the transport industry.

Transport planners work on policies, plans and projects relating to all kinds of transport systems. This includes roads and the use of cars, lorries and buses, rail networks, pedestrian systems for walking or cycling, and air travel.

Transport planners look at ways to improve these systems or how new systems can be implemented in certain areas. They will take into consideration issues such as climate change, the economy and the environment. The work of transport planners is often related to government policies and initiatives, such as trying to change the travel behaviour of people by encouraging them to reduce their car use and take up walking, cycling or public transport.

Work can be carried out on different levels from local to international and may include tasks from initial ideas through to design, completion and reviews.

ANZSCO ID: 232611

Alternative names: Transport Planner, Transportation Planner, Traffic and Transport Planner,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

able to think logically and analytically
able to discuss views clearly
able to write concisely
good at mathematics and statistical analysis.

Aerial road

Duties and Tasks

Work activities are varied and often depend on the level of the job and the size and type of the employer. However, tasks typically include:

designing and interpreting transport and travel surveys;
writing clear reports and presenting options and recommendations on transport systems to clients;
using statistical analysis to examine travel data or accident records;
forming potential solutions to transport problems;
using mathematical and computer simulation models to forecast the effects of road improvements, policy changes and/or public transport schemes;
evaluating the benefits and costs of different strategies;
participating in public consultation initiatives, including designing leaflets or questionnaires and attending scheme exhibitions;
managing studies and projects, often within tight time and budget limits;
assessing infrastructure requirements (access, car parking, bus stops, cycle parking, etc) of new developments to support planning applications or to inform local authority development plans;
liaising and negotiating with different parties, e.g. planning and highways authorities, residents' groups, councillors/politicians, developers, transport providers;
developing the initial design ideas for new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian priority schemes, bus interchange or bus priority facilities, car parking areas, etc;
acting as an expert witness at public inquiries and planning appeals;
writing bids for the funding of projects.

Working conditions

Transportation planners typically work in an office setting. Transportation planners also spend some time outdoors observing traffic patterns, structures like roads, bridges and railways. Planners often work full-time and work from a sitting or standing position and often walk for long periods. Planners might travel for long periods interstate or intrastate.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Transportation planners have at least a bachelor's degree in their field, but some planners have a master's or doctorate. Most employers require a bachelor's degree as the minimum employment requirement.

Transportation experience: Planners typically have extensive experience in the transportation industry. Experience can include any previous jobs in transportation like driving, internships or volunteer work.

Did You Know?

Sydney Airport is one of the oldest continually operated airports in the world,and the busiest airport in Australia, handling 36 million passengers in 2010 and 289,741 aircraft movements in 2009. It was the 28th busiest airport in the world in 2009.
(Source: Wikipedia)

An aircraft travelling over the top of General Holmes Drive, which runs under one of the tarmacs of Sydney's Kingsford-Smith Airport

Clerical or Organising

Transport engineers are responsible for planning, designing and overseeing the construction and maintenance of civil engineering projects relating to transport networks, such as roads, bridges, mass transit stations, railways, airports and harbours. Future Growth Strong Transport Engineers plans and develops transport systems to improve infrastructure efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of moving people and freight. Their major focus includes main thoroughfares and highways due to their overt use. Highway engineering, infrastructure design and the materials that make up local and national highways comprise important aspects of a transportation engineer's job. Though roads often require the most attention of engineers in this field, they may also work on railways, airports, seaports, and canals.

The work of transport engineers aims to optimise traffic flow, improve mobility and safety, and minimise harmful emissions in all transport systems, at efficient cost. Transport engineering involves the analysis and evaluation of traffic signals, signs and markings, as well as the conditions of the environment surrounding the infrastructure.

Transport Engineers plan and develop transport systems to improve infrastructure efficiency and the cost effectiveness of moving people and freight.

ANZSCO ID: 233215

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher is usually required. Relevant experience or on-the-job training is also needed. Registration or licensing may also be required.
Knowledge of Engineering Technology, Building and Construction, Mathematics, Design and English Language rate as the most important areas
The skills workers rate as most important are in Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, and Mathematics
The physical and social abilities workers rate as the most important are: Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Oral Comprehension, and Oral Expression

Transport Engineer
(Source: Engineering Personnel)

Duties and Tasks

Assesses present and future travel flow patterns taking into account population increases and needs changes.
Designs the physical aspects of transportation systems such as highways, railroads, urban transit, air transportation, logistical supply systems and their terminals.

Working conditions

Transport engineers work in offices and are also required to undertake site visits and community consultations. When working on a building site they will also be required to wear appropriate safety equipment.
Transport engineers may also be required to travel interstate or overseas for work. They may need to base themselves in the location of a major engineering site for the duration of their project.

Tools and technologies

Transport engineers use computers and computer-aided design (CAD) to assist in planning and design. They may need to be familiar with traffic and micro-simulation modelling software to predict traffic patterns.

Transport engineers may also design and improve advanced technologies such as variable message signs, develop new traffic control systems, and integrate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, such as driverless cars, to optimise traffic flow and avoid traffic collisions.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a transport engineer, you usually need to study a degree in engineering, majoring in civil engineering. You may need to complete further postgraduate study to specialise in transportation engineering.

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