Transport Planner

Typical Salary

£22,000 To £50,000

Typical Hours

41 to 43 a week

9am to 5pm

How To Become a Transport Planner

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship

College / University

You can do a degree and then join an organisation as a trainee transport planner. Most subjects are accepted though you may have an advantage if you study:

geography
civil engineering
economics
town planning
environmental science
business studies

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a transport planning technician advanced apprenticeship, then move on to a transport planner degree apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
maths knowledge
knowledge of engineering science and technology
design skills and knowledge
analytical thinking skills
the ability to work well with others
complex problem-solving skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

simulating transport problems using computer models
analysing and interpreting data from transport studies
forecasting the impact of new developments like shopping centres
looking at schemes to manage traffic, like congestion charging or parking controls
studying accident 'black spots' to design road safety improvements
writing reports for funding bids and planning authorities
acting as an expert witness during public enquiries
promoting the benefits of public transport, cycling and walking to get around

Working Environment

You could work in an office or visit sites.

Career Path & Progression

You could become a senior transport planner or traffic engineer. You might also move into town planning, policy development or environmental consultancy.

You may improve your career prospects by completing the Transport Planning Professional qualification, or by getting chartered status with a relevant professional body.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Transport Planning Society or The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a transport planner from the Transport Planning Society.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.