The job of a transport planner is a good option if one wants to look for a career in this industry. A transport planner is basically responsible for forecasting transport patterns. These patterns depend upon the amount of transportation required every day. The main duties of a transport planner include the following:
- He is responsible for designing and planning the transport surveys.
- The transport planner has to prepare reports related to the changing trends of transport.
- He also has to conduct surveys and analyze the various transport data that is collected.
- This planner also has to find solutions to various transport problems.
- The planner needs to evaluate the costs and benefits of making the changes required in transport plans.
- He has to ensure that all plans work according to the budget specified.
- The transport planner also needs to make contacts with different parties like transport providers, developers, etc.
- He is also responsible for bringing about the necessary changes in the transportation system.
There are several skills that a transport planner needs to possess to be able to effectively do his work. These include interpersonal skills and very good communication skills. The planner also needs to have very good analytical and problem solving skills. In addition, good mathematical and numeric skills are also important for these planners. A transport planner must also have enough confidence so that he can deal with a large number of people. Also he needs to be able to work as a part of a team and be aware of the pressing issues in the transportation industry. He also must have a good knowledge of computers. This is mainly because the systems used for forecasting the transport patterns are computerized these days.
Transport planners must undergo proper training so that they can develop the necessary skills and gain knowledge of how the transportation industry works. Many organizations provide on the job training or provide the training within the premises of the organizations. The transport planners may even be required to undergo training from an outside organization. Practical training is also necessary for this job. This is important so that the planners get to know about the technical aspects of the job.
Transport planners get a good salary. They also get other benefits like paid holidays, travel allowances, bonuses, etc. In addition, one working well can also get promoted to a higher level within an organization. The working hours of transport planners are generally flexible. They may need to work more during peak seasons. Field work is often not necessary. These planners generally work in their offices. They may sometimes be required to travel for meetings. Many organizations also offer part time jobs to these planners.
These planners have very good career prospects. They may be promoted to handle technical aspects or even be made responsible for managing the staff. Transport planners are in great demand these days. However, there are a very few of these planners available. It is therefore considered as a viable option to make a career as a transport planner.
With the increased use of transport facilities and the increased demand of goods and services, the transportation industry offers a wide variety of jobs to the people. These jobs basically entail making plans about the movement of goods and services from one place to another and also improving the transport system being used. The improvement in the transportation system that is used is necessary for development and increased business for various economies. The transportation industry is therefore considered to be a backbone of many economies mainly for this reason.
