What You'll Do

  • Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
  • Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
  • 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.
  • Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
  • Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
  • 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.
  • Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
  • Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
  • Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.62/5
Reading Comprehension 3.25/5
Speaking 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Writing 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Systems Analysis 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Integrity, Cooperation, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.38/5
Speech Recognition 3.38/5
Speech Clarity 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Bentley MicroStation C++ Computer aided design and drafting software CADD Dowling Associates TRAFFIX ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcView Geographic information system GIS systems JAMAR Technologies PETRAPro Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Database Pd' Programming Intersection Magic Python R

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.41/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.33/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.29/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.21/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Collection Technician Field Traffic Investigator Highway Traffic Control Technician Pavement Engineer Permit Technician Radar Signal Processing Engineers Sign Technician Street Light Technician Survey Field Technician Traffic Analyst Traffic Control Laborer Traffic Control Specialist Traffic Control Technician Traffic Engineering Technician Traffic Investigator Traffic Management Specialist Traffic Monitor Specialist Traffic Signal Technician (TST) Traffic Specialist Traffic Survey Technician Traffic Technician Transportation Analyst Transportation Planning Technician Transportation Technician