How to Be Transportation Analyst - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 7, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The lack of public transportation options in many cities can cause numerous problems for residents. These problems are often felt most acutely by those with lower incomes as they are less likely to own a car or have access to other transportation options. This can lead to a range of issues, from difficulty getting to work, school, and medical appointments, to increased social isolation.

It can also cause economic hardship due to the expense of alternative transportation options, such as ride-hailing services or taxis. In addition, congestion on the roads can be exacerbated by an over-reliance on cars, leading to further environmental damage and increasing carbon emissions. To address these issues, cities should focus on developing affordable, reliable public transportation options and incentivizing the use of public transportation so that people have a viable alternative to driving.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in a field related to transportation analysis. Examples include civil engineering, urban planning, public policy, transportation management, or geography.
Obtain related work experience in the transportation industry, such as working as a transportation planner or engineer.
Pursue a master's degree in transportation analysis or a related field to gain advanced knowledge and skills in the field.
Become certified as a Certified Transportation Analyst (CTA). To become certified, you must pass an exam and have at least two years of professional experience in the transportation industry.
Join professional organizations such as the American Public Transportation Association, which offer networking opportunities, professional development, and access to the latest research and industry news.
Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in transportation analysis by reading industry publications and attending conferences.
Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills to be successful in the field. This includes having strong knowledge of data analysis techniques, as well as financial analysis skills.

Traffic congestion is a major problem in many cities around the world. It not only affects the quality of life for citizens, but also has a significant economic impact. To address this issue, transportation analysts are needed to analyze and develop solutions to the problem.

Qualified transportation analysts must possess a comprehensive understanding of transportation systems, traffic patterns and regulations, as well as strong analytical skills. They must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and policy makers. By having reliable and qualified transportation analysts, cities can develop better strategies to reduce traffic congestion and its associated problems, leading to improved quality of life and economic growth.

You may want to check Public Transportation Coordinator, Transportation Supervisor, and Airline Passenger Transportation Agent for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and assess transportation system performance measures.
Analyze and interpret transportation data to identify trends, gaps, and areas of improvement.
Research and develop transportation engineering models and simulations.
Assist in the development and implementation of transportation policies, procedures, and strategies.
Develop innovative solutions to address transportation challenges.
Monitor and evaluate transportation projects for compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
Identify and recommend appropriate funding sources for transportation projects.
Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations based on data analysis and research findings.
Coordinate with other departments, agencies, and organizations to ensure efficient transportation operations.
Provide technical assistance to local, state, and federal agencies regarding transportation issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong quantitative and analytical skills
Knowledge of transportation planning and operations
Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in GIS, Excel, and other analytical software
Ability to write reports and interpret data
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to plan and manage projects
Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and policies
Detail-oriented and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Having an analytical mindset is the most important skill to have as a Transportation Analyst. This requires the ability to objectively assess data, identify trends and draw logical conclusions. Analytical skills also involve being able to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts to analyze them more effectively.

The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is essential for this role. having strong communication skills is key for a Transportation Analyst, as they must be able to effectively communicate their findings to stakeholders. Having project management and organizational capabilities are also important for a Transportation Analyst, as they must be able to develop plans for managing projects, such as analyzing historical data, creating simulations and forecasting future shipping needs.

Finally, having technical skills such as the ability to use software programs like Microsoft Excel, SQL, or Tableau is helpful in order to effectively analyze and present data. All of these skills work together to create a successful Transportation Analyst.

Railroad Transportation Technician, Railroad Transportation Inspector, and Public Transportation Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with transportation systems?
How would you go about analyzing data related to transportation?
What strategies do you use to identify and solve problems related to transportation?
What methods do you use to track and measure the performance of transportation networks?
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing transportation analysts today?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the transportation industry?
What strategies do you use to ensure data accuracy when performing transportation analyses?
How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure the smooth functioning of transportation systems?
How do you handle difficult stakeholders or clients when performing a transportation analysis?
How have you used your knowledge of transportation systems to develop innovative solutions?

Common Tools in Industry

Geospatial Analysis Software. Used to analyze geographic data and create maps and models. (eg: ArcGIS)
Statistical Analysis Software. Used to analyze numerical data and create reports. (eg: SPSS)
GIS Database Management Software. Used to store, manage, and analyze geographic data. (eg: MapInfo)
Transportation Modeling Software. Used to simulate different transportation scenarios and analyze their outcomes. (eg: CUBE)
Network Design Software. Used to create and analyze networks of transportation systems. (eg: VISUM)
Scheduling Software. Used to plan, optimize, and schedule transportation operations. (eg: Synchro)
Route Optimization Software. Used to identify the most efficient route between two locations. (eg: OptaPlanner)
Data Visualization Software. Used to create visual representations of data for better analysis. (eg: Tableau)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America)
Transportation Research Board (TRB)
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Transportation Learning Network (TLN)
Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT)
American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L)
International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

We also have Transportation Research Analyst, Transportation Engineer, and Transportation Logistics Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Logistics. The management of the flow of goods, services, and information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements.
Supply Chain Management. The systematic coordination of materials, information, and finances from a supplier to a customer to optimize the overall performance of the supply chain.
Freight Forwarding. The arrangement and management of goods, services, and information between points of origin and points of destination in order to meet customer requirements.
Intermodal Transportation. The use of multiple modes of transportation (road, rail, ocean, air, etc. ) to move goods from one point to another.
Capacity Planning. The process of determining the amount of resources that are needed for a certain task or project.
Route Optimization. The process of selecting the most effective route for a given task or project, based on factors such as cost, distance, and time.
Fleet Management. The management of a fleet of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or ships; includes tracking fleet performance, maintenance scheduling, and cost management.
Fuel Management. The management of a fleet's fuel usage, including tracking fuel consumption and cost, as well as reducing emissions and promoting fuel efficiency.
Traffic Analysis. The study of transportation patterns to identify trends and develop strategies to improve transport efficiency.
Transportation Modeling. The application of mathematical models to transportation problems in order to analyze and predict outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Transportation Analyst?

A Transportation Analyst is a professional who assesses transportation systems and develops strategies to improve them. They analyze data and trends, develop models, and make recommendations to optimize the operation of transportation systems.

What skills are required for a Transportation Analyst?

A Transportation Analyst must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and coordination abilities. They must also be familiar with data analysis and software such as GIS, Microsoft Excel, and SQL.

What tasks do Transportation Analysts typically perform?

Transportation Analysts typically perform tasks such as analyzing transportation data, developing models to forecast future trends, creating reports and presentations, and making recommendations on how to improve transportation systems.

What type of degree is necessary to become a Transportation Analyst?

Most employers require Transportation Analysts to have a Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Civil Engineering, Economics, or Logistics. A Master's degree may also be beneficial.

What organizations hire Transportation Analysts?

Transportation Analysts are typically hired by organizations that manage transportation systems such as government agencies, consulting firms, and logistics companies.

Web Resources

Details - Transportation Program Analyst | Careers | Sacramento careers.csus.edu
Transportation Analyst - CAROLINA PLANNING planning.unc.edu
Transportation Data Analyst - CAROLINA PLANNING planning.unc.edu