Industrial engineers and operations research or modeling analysts working in transportation operations use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to analyze and solve complex problems, assess risk, and provide a data-driven approach to decision-making. They might be involved in numerous types of projects including process improvement plans, warehouse and labor management, capital projects, inventory and equipment planning, cost saving initiatives, or logistics process design. Utilizing industrial engineering skills inherent in process flow analysis, operational project planning, efficiency or process improvement studies, statistical and mapping analysis, and time and motion studies, the industrial engineer or operations analyst will be involved in planning and designing new transportation operations, supporting existing operations, and developing comprehensive supply chain solutions.
Moderate
Operations Planner
An operations planner is involved in managing complex projects and systems and conducting many types of transportation planning analyses or studies including corridor planning, traffic operations planning, multi-modal or transit-oriented projects, or freight operations planning. An operations planner may perform transportation development planning, system and route performance analyses, operational assessments, transportation project feasibility studies, and market research for transportation projects. An operations planner might also perform field review, field data collection, site and infrastructure assessments, project finance and governance, grant initiatives, public or stakeholder outreach, and other on-site project support. An operations planner may complete assessments using analytical tools such as GIS to evaluate data, identify trends, and develop any project-related documentation.
Diesel Technician
Diesel mechanics or technicians are responsible for performing mechanical repairs and preventative maintenance on fleet vehicles and heavy equipment in transit and freight. They are fluent in the maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and diesel systems. Diesel mechanics or technicians also complete repair or service reporting, order and inventory necessary parts, fabricate necessary parts or equipment, develop and execute service or repair processes, and provide road call or emergency service calls.
Maintenance Engineer, Highway
A Highway Maintenance Engineer is responsible for determining cost-effect preventive maintenance treatments, upgrade, and repair strategies to maintain highways, bridges and roadside facilities within an assigned area of operation. This position follows state department of transportation standards and applies asset management principles to schedule and prioritize work. This position assess highway corridors holistically and programs actions through a lens of environmental stewardship, sustainability, safety, and resilience.
Other duties typically include:
- Develops and monitors maintenance budget.
- Oversees selection and maintenance of major roadway maintenance equipment.
- Responsible for landscape and vegetation management along roadways.
- Responsible for emergency response preparedness for maintenance.
- Responsible for the development, preparation, and letting of maintenance contracts for the district.
- Works with governmental officials and the public to set maintenance program goals and expectations.
- Administers and inspects contracted maintenance activities.
Surveying & Mapping Technician
Surveying & Mapping Technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist. They obtain data for use in construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes, and may calculate mapmaking information and create maps from sources such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. Surveying technicians work outside extensively and can be exposed to all types of weather, while mapping technicians work primarily indoors on computers. Most surveying and mapping technicians work for firms that provide engineering, surveying, and mapping services on a contract basis. Local governments also employ these workers in highway and planning departments.
Other responsibilities typically include:
- Visit sites to record survey measurements and other descriptive data.
- Operate surveying instruments, such as electronic distance-measuring equipment.
- Enter data from surveying instruments into computers, either in the field or in an office.
- Produce maps showing boundaries, water locations, elevation, and other features of the terrain.
- Assist photogrammetrists by laying out aerial photographs in sequence to identify areas not captured by aeriel photography.
Transportation Planner
A Transportation Planner is committed to taking on the role of urban freight researcher who studies the operation of transportation systems implemented by an organization. On a daily basis, the analysis and compilation of data is carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented transportation models and simulations. A Transportation Planner therefore works to analyze the developmental tide of the infrastructure, and how current project models potentially can be developed to weight against local regulations. In that role, one therefore bares the responsibility of representing the administrative approval of transportation-and-land development projects carried out by an organization, to make sure that local regulations and jurisdictions on land use are being followed.
Other responsibilities typically include:
- Attend regular meetings and collaborate with engineers, public officials, and public stakeholders to resolve transportation design and environmental issues stemming from civic projects and public policies.
- Compose and summon technical reports on plans within regional and urban programs and policies.
- Monitor and assess regional/urban production.
- Supervise the work of hired consultants and interns; carry out public outreach to promote a consensual dialogue on the future development of civic projects.