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Engineering design

Transport planner Green Job

Transport planners manage road, rail and air transport networks at local, regional and national level.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £44,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

41 to 43 a week

You could work: 9am to 5pm;

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Transport planner jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could:

  • simulate transport problems using computer models
  • analyse and interpret data from transport studies
  • forecast the impact of new developments like shopping centres
  • look at schemes to manage traffic, like congestion charging or parking controls
  • study accident 'black spots' to design road safety improvements
  • write reports for funding bids and planning authorities
  • act as an expert witness during public enquiries
  • promote the benefits of public transport, cycling and walking to get around

Working environment

You could work in an office or visit sites.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
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

Many graduates go on to do a postgraduate qualification in transport planning approved by the Transport Planning Society.

Getting work experience through internships, summer placements or a year in industry may give you an advantage when applying for graduate roles. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities during your studies.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
For more information
Apprenticeship

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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
For more information

More 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.

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There are opportunities to work in the public and private sector, from local and central government to transport companies, small and large consultancies.

You could become a senior transport planner or traffic engineer and manage projects or teams. 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.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Transport Planners and Geospatial Technicians will be needed to analyse and interpret data from transport studies and to plan new low carbon public transport projects in the West of England region, taking into consideration ecological impacts.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Maths, Sciences, Geography A-levels
  • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T-Level (available from 2024)

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 3 Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship
  • Level 6 Transport Planner Degree Apprenticeship

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working as an transport planner, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Transport planners use satellite data to make real-time decision on traffic management. Increasingly as space technologies enable ubiquitous connectivity, they use this capability to adopt new mobility solutions that take people out of their cars.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at a local school or college

  • Maths, Sciences, Geography A-levels
  • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T-Level

Find a local provider

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at a local provider in the South West

Search for a degree course

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 3 Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship
  • Level 6 Transport Planner Degree Apprenticeship

Search for apprenticeship vacancies

Employers in the South West 

  • West of England Combined Authority
  • Highways Agency 
  • Bristol City Council

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

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
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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