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Traffic Technicians

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.

What you’d do

  • Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
  • Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
  • 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.
  • Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
  • 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.
  • Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
  • Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Traffic Control Technician (Traffic Control Tech)
  • Traffic Signal Technician (TST)
  • Traffic Systems Technician (Traffic Systems Tech)
  • Transportation Technician (Transportation Tech)
  • Field Traffic Investigator
  • Traffic Field Investigator

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