Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Highway Analyst

💰 $70,000 - $115,000

EngineeringData AnalysisTransportationUrban PlanningCivil Engineering

🎯 Role Definition

A Highway Analyst is the analytical backbone of our transportation infrastructure, blending engineering principles with advanced data analysis to ensure our roadways are safe, efficient, and sustainable. They are the storytellers of traffic data, translating complex datasets into actionable insights that shape the future of highway design, maintenance, and policy. This role is pivotal in identifying trends, predicting future needs, and solving complex transportation challenges to improve mobility and safety for the public. A successful Highway Analyst possesses a unique combination of technical prowess and investigative curiosity, enabling them to see the patterns in movement and the opportunities for improvement that lie within the data.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Civil Engineering Graduate
  • Transportation Technician
  • Data Analyst (with a focus on spatial or logistical data)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Highway Analyst or Lead Analyst
  • Transportation Planner or Traffic Engineer
  • Project Manager (Transportation/Infrastructure)

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Specialist (Transportation Focus)
  • Urban & Regional Planner
  • Data Scientist (Smart Cities/Mobility)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive traffic data analysis, including volume, speed, delay, and classification studies, to identify congestion points, evaluate operational efficiency, and inform traffic management strategies.
  • Perform in-depth highway safety analysis by investigating crash data, identifying high-frequency accident locations, and determining contributing factors to recommend targeted safety countermeasures and improvements.
  • Develop, calibrate, and utilize traffic simulation models using software like Vissim, Synchro, or HCS to evaluate the performance of existing highway networks and test the impact of proposed geometric or operational changes.
  • Collect, process, and manage vast transportation datasets from various sources, including roadway sensors, GPS probes, traffic counters, and public surveys, ensuring data quality and integrity.
  • Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to perform spatial analysis of transportation networks, visualize data such as traffic density and crash locations, and create detailed maps for reports and presentations.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports, memos, and presentations that clearly communicate complex analytical findings, methodologies, and recommendations to a diverse audience including engineers, planners, and public stakeholders.
  • Analyze pavement condition data to support the development of pavement management programs, including prioritizing maintenance and rehabilitation projects to optimize asset lifecycle and budget allocation.
  • Develop short-term and long-term traffic volume forecasts for highway corridors and specific projects, employing statistical methods and travel demand models to predict future transportation needs.
  • Evaluate the operational effects of traffic control devices, such as signals and signage, and recommend adjustments to improve traffic flow, reduce delays, and enhance safety.
  • Assist in the preparation of transportation impact studies for new developments, assessing the potential effects on the surrounding road network and identifying necessary mitigation measures.
  • Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the highway system, such as travel time reliability, congestion levels, and safety metrics, to track progress towards strategic goals.
  • Conduct field reviews and on-site data collection to verify desktop analysis, observe traffic patterns firsthand, and gain a practical understanding of site-specific conditions.
  • Support transportation planning initiatives by providing robust data analysis for long-range plans, corridor studies, and feasibility assessments.
  • Perform cost-benefit analyses for proposed highway projects, comparing the economic benefits of reduced travel time and accidents against project construction and maintenance costs.
  • Review and interpret highway and traffic control plans, construction drawings, and engineering specifications to ensure they align with analytical findings and design standards.
  • Investigate and respond to inquiries from the public and government officials regarding traffic operations, safety concerns, and congestion issues, providing data-supported answers.
  • Research and stay current with emerging technologies, analytical techniques, and best practices in the fields of traffic analysis, transportation data science, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
  • Analyze the capacity of highway segments, interchanges, and intersections to determine levels of service (LOS) and identify locations where capacity enhancements are needed.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including highway designers, environmental specialists, and construction managers, to integrate analytical insights into all phases of a project's lifecycle.
  • Support grant applications and funding proposals by providing compelling data and analysis that demonstrate the need and potential benefits of a proposed transportation project.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to traffic incidents, travel times, or pavement performance.
  • Contribute to the organization's transportation data governance strategy and roadmap for data acquisition and management.
  • Collaborate with planning, design, and maintenance units to translate operational questions and data needs into specific analytical requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the transportation data analytics team to manage workloads and deliverables effectively.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS): High proficiency with GIS software such as Esri ArcGIS Pro/ArcMap or QGIS for spatial analysis, network analysis, and cartographic visualization of transportation data.
  • Traffic Modeling Software: Hands-on experience with traffic simulation and analysis software like PTV Vissim, Synchro/SimTraffic, Highway Capacity Software (HCS), or similar tools.
  • Data Analysis & Statistics: Strong capabilities in data analysis and statistical programming using tools like Python (with Pandas, GeoPandas), R, or dedicated statistical software (SPSS, SAS).
  • Database Management: Competency in managing and querying relational databases using SQL to extract, transform, and load transportation data.
  • Advanced Excel: Mastery of Microsoft Excel for complex data manipulation, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and creating dynamic charts and dashboards.
  • CAD Software Familiarity: The ability to read and interpret engineering plans and schematics using CAD software such as Autodesk AutoCAD or Bentley MicroStation.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Critical Thinking: Exceptional ability to dissect complex transportation problems, identify root causes, and derive logical, data-driven conclusions and solutions.
  • Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill technical information and present findings clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail to ensure the accuracy, precision, and integrity of data, calculations, and final reports.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to identifying and resolving challenges, demonstrating creativity in developing effective solutions for traffic and safety issues.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong collaborative mindset with the proven ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams alongside engineers, planners, technicians, and external partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or college.

Preferred Education:

  • A Master's Degree with a specialization in Transportation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Transportation Planning
  • Urban Planning
  • Statistics
  • Data Science
  • Geography

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of progressive experience in transportation analysis, traffic engineering, transportation planning, or a closely related field.

Preferred:

  • Experience working within a public transportation agency (e.g., Department of Transportation) or for a transportation engineering consulting firm is highly desirable. Professional certification such as an Engineer in Training (EIT) or a license as a Professional Engineer (PE) is a significant asset.
Explore More Careers