Traffic Engineer: Traffic Engineering consists of analyzing existing or proposed road designs to determine how many lanes are needed, how long turn lanes should be, or determining what type of intersection should be implemented. Traffic engineers use simulation software to create proposed designs and input traffic volume data to determine how smoothly the intersection or corridor will operate. They also can do travel time studies, help with environmental documents determining the impacts on the natural and human environments, and they attend public workshops to help inform the public about projects. 

Roadway Designer: With graphic art and CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) skills, a Roadway Designer draws roadway plans. This job affords talented women great opportunity for growth and a chance to work on projects in different parts of the world.

Electrical Engineer: An Electrical Engineer in transportation is critical to making transportation systems operate – from designing traffic signals and operational control rooms, to figuring out how to light a tunnel or subway station! In her daily work, she might use state of-the-art technology, such as Computer-Aided Drafting/Design (CADD) to design an electrical system, or go to a construction site to inspect the lighting and communication networks.

Landscape Architect: A green thumb isn’t even a requirement for a Landscape Architect’s job, but it might help! She’s the creative genius behind designing landscapes that work in harmony with transportation systems. This interesting job can include choosing shady trees to provide passenger comfort at stations in hot climates or recommending a spiny variety to discourage pedestrians from walking where they shouldn’t be – part psychology, part botany, all fun!

Transportation Planner: A transportation planner is responsible for planning the transport system of tomorrow. They are often planning for 10 or more years into the future to make sure that the requirements of the next generation are met. They conduct all the research and data analysis work that is required before building the correct transportation infrastructure in the correct location.

Traffic Planner for Special Events: If you’re a Traffic Planner for Special Events like Olympics, Super Bowl, Democrat and Republican National Conventions, you figure out how to move large numbers of people in a short period of time— including many VIPS! There are many factors involved in the planning, including special challenges related to geography, security, customs and culture, etc.

Construction Manager: That woman holding the blueprints on a construction site? She’s a construction manager. Construction managers oversee all types of transportation construction projects, from repairing streets and highways, to building bridges and subway stations. Construction managers are a part of the building process from the very beginning, working collaboratively with architects and engineers to go over plans and blueprints, determining costs and schedules, gathering permits, and making sure everything is up to code.

GIS Analyst: GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems, and in the transportation realm it can be used for infrastructure management, fleet and logistics management, and transit management, just to name a few examples. As a GIS Analyst there are a variety of projects you may get involved with. You could be making maps for traffic planning reports, you may use GIS to do environmental impact studies, and more. GIS allows engineers to compare alternatives at early phases in various transportation challenges.

Government Relations Manager: This person is a born diplomat. She deftly acts as a liaison between her organization and government leaders to ensure their concerns are handled during the design, construction and/or operation of the transportation system. She is also an expert in government rules and requirements that pertain to transportation.

Graphic Designer: A graphic designer in transportation is a busy, creative, tech-savvy person who gets to create a wide variety of important graphics on a daily basis. One day she might be laying out the entire system map, the next she might be on-location taking photographs of passengers at an event. She can be called on to create anything from advertisements to vehicle signage – and everything in between!