Transportation Planners
Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.
AI Impact Summary
Transportation Planners faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 56% of all analyzed occupations. Of 22 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 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.
High reliance on Information Ordering 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)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion 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 Planners 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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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
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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
22 tasks analyzed
Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.
Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level.
Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits.
Analyze information from traffic counting programs.
Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis.
Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications.
Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations.
Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals.
Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.
Direct urban traffic counting programs.
Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects.
Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities. | 63.9Observed | 52.6% | 6% | |
| Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 7% | |
| Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern. | 66.67Observed | 53.7% | 4% | |
| Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 7% | |
| Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning. | 58.83Observed | 50.5% | 6% | |
| Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 6% | |
| Evaluate transportation project needs or costs. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Collaborate with other professionals to develop sustainable transportation strategies at the local, regional, or national level. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare necessary documents to obtain planned project approvals or permits. | 57.9Observed | 72.4% | 4% | |
| Analyze information from traffic counting programs. | 37.5Observed | 64.2% | 4% | |
| Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues. | 57.8Observed | 50.1% | 4% | |
| Develop or test new methods or models of transportation analysis. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare or review engineering studies or specifications. | 58.8Observed | 50.5% | 4% | |
| Review development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations. | 56.25Observed | 71.7% | 4% | |
| Evaluate transportation-related consequences of federal or state legislative proposals. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Produce environmental documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Direct urban traffic counting programs. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 2% | |
| Represent jurisdictions in the legislative or administrative approval of land development projects. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 2% | |
| Define or update information such as urban boundaries or classification of roadways. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.1%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$100,340
per year
Mean Wage
$106,440
per year
Employment
37K
workers
Wage Range
$62,570 - $160,810
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
See all transitionsTransportation Managers
28%Median salary: $102,010
Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Logisticians
30%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Management Analysts
30%Median salary: $101,190
Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Logistics Managers
32%Median salary: $102,010
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Supply Chain Managers
32%Median salary: $136,550
Higher risk than 51% of other occupations
Transportation Engineers
32%Median salary: $99,590
Higher risk than 53% of other occupations
Purchasing Managers
34%Median salary: $139,510
Higher risk than 60% of other occupations
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
38%Higher risk than 74% of other occupations
Logistics Analysts
40%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 82% of other occupations
City and Regional Planning Aides
42%Median salary: $58,040
Higher risk than 86% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Transportation Planners professionals should diversify beyond them.
- 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.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering 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.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation 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.
- Active Learning
Active Learning 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.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change