Discipline
Transport Planning
Careers in the public sector
What do transport planners do in the public sector?
Transport planners in the public sector ensure that transportation systems are safe and deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. Transport planners bring their spatial and technical knowledge, analytical skills, and stakeholder management experience in-house.
Transport planners work on various tasks, including engaging with the public and stakeholders, and presenting technical information to decision-makers and at inquiries. Transport planners may also be tasked with creating sketches, models and plans, managing projects, collecting and analysing data, writing reports, and undertaking site visits.
For built environment roles in the public sector, transport planners need to be creative and able to put forward persuasive ideas and proposals; have strong analytical skills, be comfortable working with maps and plans, and communicate technical information clearly.
What job roles might a transport planner be suitable for in the public sector?
People with a background in transport planning can work in a range of roles, including development management - providing expertise in pre-apps; policy roles - analysing data and inputting into transport policy; and urban design and masterplanning - with a specialism in transport, utilities and infrastructure.
Progression could be moving upwards to a managerial or senior leadership role with more responsibility for complex projects and programmes or specialising in a particular field, such as reducing car dependency, designing for cyclists and pedestrians, or public transport.
Qualifications needed
People working in transport planning can be qualified in any subject. However, many people working in transport planning hold degrees in engineering, geography or town and city planning or enter the profession through an apprenticeship.
In addition, the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification run by the professional body CIHT and the Transport Planning Society is a valuable additional qualification to have when applying for roles in this field.
Professional Bodies
Progress your career
Do you have more than 3 years of experience?
Find out more about how our Associate Programme works and how we can help you progress your career into the public sector.