Traffic Technician

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Field Traffic Investigator; Traffic Control Technician (Traffic Control Tech); Traffic Field Investigator; Traffic Investigator; Traffic Monitor Specialist; Traffic Signal Technician (TST); Traffic Survey Technician (Traffic Survey Tech); Traffic Systems Technician (Traffic Systems Tech); Transportation Planning Technician (Transportation Planning Tech); Transportation Technician (Transportation Tech)

Tasks

• Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
• Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
• 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.
• Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
• 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.
• Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
• Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
• Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
• Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
• Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.

Knowledge

• Computers and Electronics
• Public Safety and Security
• Transportation
• English Language
• Engineering and Technology
• Administrative
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics
• Law and Government
• Design
• Mechanical
• Education and Training
• Building and Construction

Skills

• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Far Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility