Transportation Engineers
Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.
AI Impact Summary
Transportation Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 32/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 53% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Transportation Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
Estimate transportation project costs.
Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact.
Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects.
Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems.
Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards.
Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components.
Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards.
Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures in a manner that is environmentally sound or prepares the land for sustainable development.
Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects.
Design transportation systems or structures, using sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures.
Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices. | 58.03Observed | 50.2% | 8% | |
| Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting. | 65.72Observed | 53.3% | 10% | |
| Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules. | 59.82Observed | 38.9% | 6% | |
| Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects. | 61.25Observed | 51.5% | 6% | |
| Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials. | 57.65Observed | 72.3% | 5% | |
| Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Estimate transportation project costs. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Evaluate transportation systems or traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Review development plans to determine potential traffic impact. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations. | 25Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Direct the surveying, staking, or laying-out of construction projects. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Model transportation scenarios to evaluate the impacts of activities such as new development or to identify possible solutions to transportation problems. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Investigate or test specific construction project materials to determine compliance to specifications or standards. | 45.98Observed | 45.4% | 2% | |
| Supervise the maintenance or repair of transportation systems or system components. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 2% | |
| Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 2% | |
| Evaluate construction project materials for compliance with environmental standards. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures in a manner that is environmentally sound or prepares the land for sustainable development. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 2% | |
| Analyze environmental impact statements for transportation projects. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Design transportation systems or structures, using sustainable materials or products, such as porous pavement or bioretention structures. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Develop or assist in the development of transportation-related computer software or computer processes. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.2%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$99,590
per year
Mean Wage
$107,050
per year
Employment
355K
workers
Wage Range
$65,920 - $160,990
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
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Architectural and Engineering Managers
30%Median salary: $167,740
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Construction Managers
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Logistics Engineers
31%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 47% of other occupations
Logistics Managers
32%Median salary: $102,010
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Transportation Planners
33%Median salary: $100,340
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Cost Estimators
37%Median salary: $77,070
Higher risk than 72% of other occupations
Logistics Analysts
40%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 82% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Transportation Engineers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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