Transportation Modeling Specialist
I. JOB SUMMARY
Main Topic: Environment and Society
Secondary Topic: Physical Geography
Overview: A transportation modeling specialist examines large amounts of data and constructs models that solve complex transportation problems. Their work combines some of the traits of a transportation planner, an operations research analyst, and a mathematician. A transportation modeling specialist at the beginning of his or her career may perform the following job tasks: Formulate mathematical or simulation models of transportation problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives and their numerical parameters; Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary; Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of transportation related problems and to clarify management objectives; Interpret data from traffic modeling software and incorporate into transportation models; Apply transportation methods, planning principles, standard industry and new evaluations and analysis to support the planning, design and implementation of transportation projects; Develop knowledge of and familiarity using travel demand modeling and analysis, project-level alternatives analysis and traffic operations analysis; Develop professional experience using traffic forecasting software.
Geographers at work: Physical Geographers, Human Geographers
Recommended College Courses: Physical Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Management, Quantitative Methods, Human Geography, Regional Geography, Qualitative Methods
Skills: Environmental Management, Quantitative Methods, Regional Geography, GIS
Occupation Group: Transportation and Material Moving & Management
Learn more about Transportation Modeling Specialist from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113071.htm
Written by Christopher Hinojosa