Transportation Planner/Engineer
Meet Wendy, a transportation planner/engineer…
I was immediately attracted to Arup as a company where an individual’s unique talents are blended with others’ into a surprisingly non-hierarchical structure. This combination results in freedom to pursue your own goals, supported by a global network of mentors who are responsive and happy to provide guidance. I also like that Arup is a place where my professional skills – planning and engineering – are encouraged to develop simultaneously.
My projects span the transportation consulting spectrum, including building a 3D pedestrian simulation model for the Powell Street BART station in San Francisco, conducting a landside analysis for John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, running a trip generation and distribution analyses for a site in the Bahamas, and measuring the time savings and emissions reduction of a parking guidance system in Los Angeles. I have also supported the internal Arup transportation consulting skills network, leading efforts to plan a global gathering.
My goal is to work on developing country, urban and transport planning issues at the intersection of transport, economics, and the environment. Working at Arup allows me to learn and understand policy from the ground up – to build models, run engineering analyses, and hone skills that will let me create urban frameworks based on sound technical study. I also have the chance to collaborate on domestic and international projects with diverse scopes, which helps me to pursue my big-picture career goals within the company.
One of Arup’s main assets is its employees. I enjoy interacting with a group of creative and mission-driven people. From debating the energy implications of server storage to learning about thermal comfort while taking the LEED exam, my day-to-day work environment is fun and stimulating. Another bonus is that Arup staff also know how to have fun outside of the workplace.
What do transportation planners and engineers at Arup do?
Transportation planners and engineers contribute to a wide range of planning and design efforts ranging from highly technical transportation engineering analyses to strategic regional planning efforts. We work at all scales, from specific sites to large scale master plans to major policy studies. Our principal areas of practice include multi-modal planning studies, integrated land use and transportation planning efforts, master plans and sustainable transportation strategies, public transportation, passenger station and terminal planning, and traffic and revenue forecasting.
What would my first few years be like?
The following description lists a fairly typical approach to foundational training in your discipline; however business needs, project task availability, and your training interests will also influence the scope and order of training.
In your first year, you will learn the basics of the nature and process of transportation consulting projects, as well as specific analysis tools used in the profession through on-the-job training and appropriate external coursework, including:
- An overview of the different types transportation consulting projects undertaken by Arup
- Software tools such as travel demand forecasting models, traffic and pedestrian micro-simulation models, spreadsheet analysis tools, Geographic Information Systems and CAD
- Learning to use Arup skills networks/forums
- Learning to navigate through guidelines, local standards, plans and policies, and best practice research
The typical tasks you will perform may include:
- Conducting background research on specific locations, strategies or policies
- Data collection and analysis
- Completing and documenting technical analyses
- Report writing
- Attending team, consultant and client meetings
- Working with people from other disciplines to gain knowledge on new subjects
For your second year, you will take on increasing levels of responsibility on projects, including taking ownership of specific tasks. You will continue the development of your transportation planning skills as learned in the first year, and begin to teach basic tasks to new graduates. You will start to gravitate towards one or more of the principal practice areas. You will also have increasing opportunities to collaborate with other disciplines such as urban design and sustainability consulting.
Want to join us?
The ideal candidate for an entry-level position would have the following characteristics:
Technical abilities
| Necessary | Preferred |
| Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or Civil Engineering with a concentration in transportation | 3.5 GPA or higher, Master’s or dual Master’s degree, membership in at least one relevant professional organization |
| Coursework in transportation planning and/or engineering | Significant thesis, class project or studio work related to urban transportation planning, transportation engineering analysis, sustainability, and or transportation land use interface |
| Relevant intern and/or research experience | Internship with transportation consulting firm or major transportation agency |
Intangible and interpersonal characteristics
| Necessary | Preferred |
| Proven interest in the field of transportation planning | Evidence of past internship or extracurricular activity in the field |
| Good time management habits, ability to multi-task, ability to sustain focus on long tasks | Proven ability to perform in a paid work environment with intermittent supervision |
| Ability to communicate thoughts and ideas in an accessible way | Past history of presentations and technical writing |
| Attitude of taking initiative, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, teamwork and creativity | Evidence of personal investment in academic or extracurricular field |
Click here to apply for a Graduate Transportation Planner/Engineer position with Arup.
