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Science & ResearchISCO 2142

Transport engineer

A transport engineer is a person who develops and establishes the technical specifications for the construction and development of roads and transport infrastructure.

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Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manage budgets

execute analytical mathematical calculations

promote the use of sustainable transport

adjust engineering designs

use technical drawing software

About transport engineer

The work is applying engineering concepts and knowledge towards sustainable and efficient means of transport, across a range that runs from roads through canals and railways to airports. In each case the engineer works out how many people or how much freight has to move, by what route, at what cost and with what effect on everything around it.

The engineer performs analytical mathematical calculations and works from mathematics and engineering principles, for example to determine capacity, gradient, curvature, drainage and loading.

Knowledge of construction methods and transport methods keeps a specification buildable, and urban spatial planning helps the engineer fit a route to the place it passes through. The engineer manages project budgets, keeping costs within what was planned, and health and safety procedures in construction apply to the work on the ground. Independent design of roads and railways is subject to professional licensing under national law.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (18)

engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...design principlesdesign principlesThe elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.road transport legislationroad transport legislationThe regulations at regional, national, and European level on safety and environmental requirements for road transport operations.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.transportation methodstransportation methodsKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.urban planningurban planningPolitical and technical process that seeks to design the urban environment and optimize land use by considering various aspects such as infrastructure, water, and green and social spaces.civil engineeringcivil engineeringThe engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.construction methodsconstruction methodsThe various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.transportation engineeringtransportation engineeringThe subdiscipline of civil engineering that plans, designs and studies the operation and management of the transportation of people and goods in a safe, efficient, comfortable, economical and environm...manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.promote the use of sustainable transportpromote the use of sustainable transportPromote the use of sustainable transport to reduce the carbon footprint and noise and increase safety and efficiency of transport systems. Determine performance regarding the use of sustainable transp...adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.apply transportation management conceptsapply transportation management conceptsApply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Optional (13) — show
urban planning lawurban planning lawInvestments and urban development agreements. Legislative developments regarding construction in terms of environmental, sustainability, social and financial matters.safety engineeringsafety engineeringThe study of the risks associated with engineered designs and systems, accident prevention as well as the safety benefits of reducing deaths and injuries. The discipline focuses on analysing and mitig...multimodal transport logisticsmultimodal transport logisticsThe logistical supporting activities related to multimodal transport. The different elements of a multimodal system for the movement of goods or people, and all related advantages in terms of time and...green logisticsgreen logisticsThe approaches and activities aimed at minimising the ecological impact of logistics activities.environmental engineeringenvironmental engineeringThe application of scientific and engineering theories and principles aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, such as the provision of clean habitation necessities (such as air, water, ...traffic engineeringtraffic engineeringThe subdiscipline of civil engineering that applies engineering methods to create safe and efficient traffic flows of people and goods on roadways, including sidewalks, traffic lights, and cycle facil...health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.simulate transport problemssimulate transport problemsImplement transport-related data in software and computer models to simulate transport issues such as traffic jams in order to find innovative solutions.analyse transport studiesanalyse transport studiesInterpret data from transport studies dealing with transport planning, management, operations and engineering.promote innovative infrastructure designpromote innovative infrastructure designThroughout the coordination of an engineering project, promote the development of infrastructure that is innovative and sustainable, in line with the latest developments in the field.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.execute feasibility studyexecute feasibility studyPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the p...develop efficiency plans for logistics operationsdevelop efficiency plans for logistics operationsElaborate and implement plans in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste during logistics operations.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a transport engineer do?

Transport engineers design and set the engineering specifications for the construction and development of roadways and transport infrastructure. They apply engineering concepts and knowledge for developing sustainable and efficient modes of transportation ranging from roads to canals, railways, and airports.

What skills does a transport engineer need?

A transport engineer needs 18 essential skills, including engineering principles, mathematics, design principles, road transport legislation, technical drawings.

Will AI replace transport engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for transport engineer is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: execute analytical mathematical calculations, health and safety regulations, manage budgets. Most resilient: construction methods, urban planning, promote the use of sustainable transport.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills18

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