Traffic Technicians
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- 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.
- Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
- Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas.
- Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
- Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
- Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
- Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
- Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Place and secure automatic counters, using power tools, and retrieve counters after counting periods end.
- Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
- Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary.
- Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches.
- Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- 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.
- Establish procedures for street closures or for repair or construction projects.
- Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
- Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public.
- Monitor street or utility projects for compliance to traffic control permit conditions.
- Develop plans or long-range strategies for providing adequate parking space.
Skills
Knowledge
Build a Resume for Traffic Technicians
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.
Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
90%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
85%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
84%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
82%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
82%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
81%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
78%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
77%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
75%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
75%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
73%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
72%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
71%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
71%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
71%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
71%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
67%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
66%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
65%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
64%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
55%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
53%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
53%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
52%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
50%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
49%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
48%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
43%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
42%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
42%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
40%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
40%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
39%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
37%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
36%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
31%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
31%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
29%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
27%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
27%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
26%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
26%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
21%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
20%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
19%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
19%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
16%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
15%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
15%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
10%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
10%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
9%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
7%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
4%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
3%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
1%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
0%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
Ready to pursue a career as Traffic Technicians?
Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.
Build Your Resume Now