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Traffic Technicians

SOC 53-6041.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers traffic technician practice across field data collection, public interaction, technical reporting, and program leadership within municipal and regional transportation agencies operating at Job Zone 3 preparation level.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Traffic delay observations — record times, vehicle counts, and speeds through congestion zones under direct supervisor guidance at assigned field sites.
  2. Basic traffic data — collect and log volume counts using manual tallies or portable counters on low-volume roadways under close supervision.
  3. Public inquiries — respond to routine traffic-related questions from residents using established scripts and approved department FAQs.
  4. Traffic control devices — identify and categorize signs, signals, and markings in the field by following standard inspection checklists.
  5. Spreadsheet software — enter field-collected traffic data into pre-formatted templates under the direction of a senior technician.
  6. Traffic ordinances — read and summarize applicable local traffic regulations with guidance from a supervising technician or engineer.
  7. Simple graphs and charts — produce basic bar and line charts from provided datasets using office suite or spreadsheet software.
  8. Field equipment — set up and retrieve portable traffic counters and speed-monitoring devices following step-by-step operating procedures.
  9. Complaint intake — document public complaints about traffic conditions accurately using department-provided forms and reporting systems.
  10. Safety protocols — follow personal protective equipment requirements and work-zone safety rules during all field data collection activities.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Traffic delay studies — conduct timed delay observations independently, noting vehicle counts and speeds and compiling results into structured field reports.
  2. Speed and volume data — analyze collected traffic measurements to identify recurring congestion patterns on familiar corridor types with limited oversight.
  3. Public interaction — address moderately complex traffic-related complaints and requests by referencing ordinances, departmental policies, and prior case records.
  4. CAD and GIS software — draft basic traffic layout diagrams and plot study locations on geographic information system platforms for routine projects.
  5. Data visualizations — prepare clear graphs, charts, and diagrams that illustrate field observations and support engineering staff recommendations.
  6. Intersection counts — plan and execute turning-movement count studies at standard signalized intersections using approved counting software and equipment.
  7. Database queries — retrieve and organize historical traffic count records from department databases to support trend analysis and reporting.
  8. Traffic signal timing — review existing signal timing plans and flag apparent inefficiencies for engineer review using monitoring data and observation notes.
  9. Written reports — draft factual, well-organized field study summaries and technical memos suitable for internal department distribution.
  10. Work-zone coordination — coordinate with field crew members to set up temporary traffic control measures in accordance with approved traffic control plans.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Comprehensive delay studies — independently design and execute multi-location traffic delay studies, synthesizing speed, volume, and time data into actionable engineering reports.
  2. Complex problem resolution — diagnose non-routine traffic flow problems at high-volume intersections by applying critical thinking and inductive reasoning to field and historical data.
  3. Public and stakeholder communication — lead public-facing meetings and one-on-one discussions to explain traffic control policies, study findings, and planned improvements to diverse audiences.
  4. Advanced data analysis — use analytical or scientific software and GIS platforms to model traffic patterns, evaluate system performance, and support corridor-level recommendations.
  5. Technical graphics production — produce professional-grade diagrams, signal timing sheets, and traffic flow charts that meet departmental and engineering submission standards.
  6. Systems evaluation — assess the effectiveness of existing traffic control configurations across an entire corridor or district, identifying systemic deficiencies and improvement priorities.
  7. Legal and regulatory application — interpret and apply traffic law, government standards, and safety codes to field conditions, recommending compliant solutions without engineer prompting.
  8. Presentation development — create and deliver data-driven presentations using presentation software to communicate study results to department leadership and partner agencies.
  9. Multi-project time management — manage simultaneous field study assignments across multiple sites, independently scheduling resources and meeting established deadlines.
  10. Mentorship of junior staff — guide emerging technicians through field data collection procedures, equipment operation, and report writing in day-to-day work settings.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Program-level traffic monitoring — establish and oversee citywide or district-wide traffic data collection programs, setting standards, schedules, and quality benchmarks for all technician teams.
  2. Policy and procedure development — author and revise departmental traffic study protocols, public interaction guidelines, and technical reporting standards adopted across the organization.
  3. Workforce development — design and deliver formal training curricula for traffic technician staff, aligning skill-building activities with current O*NET competencies and industry best practices.
  4. Strategic systems analysis — lead comprehensive evaluations of the transportation network to identify systemic performance gaps and provide evidence-based recommendations to executive leadership.
  5. Interagency coordination — represent the department in cross-agency working groups, negotiating shared traffic management strategies with law enforcement, public works, and transit partners.
  6. Capital project support — provide authoritative technical guidance on traffic impact analyses for major infrastructure or development projects, influencing design decisions at the planning stage.
  7. Advanced technology integration — evaluate and direct the adoption of emerging traffic monitoring technologies—drones, connected-vehicle data, adaptive signal systems—into departmental operations.
  8. Personnel resource management — allocate technician assignments, manage workload distribution, and conduct performance evaluations to sustain a high-functioning traffic operations unit.
  9. Public safety leadership — develop department-wide incident response protocols for traffic emergencies, coordinating with public safety agencies and ensuring compliance with applicable law.
  10. Organizational reporting and advocacy — prepare executive-level briefings, board presentations, and legislative testimony that translate complex traffic data into clear policy recommendations.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors57 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Collection Technician · Field Traffic Investigator · Highway Traffic Control Technician · Pavement Engineer · Permit Technician · Radar Signal Processing Engineers · Sign Technician · Street Light Technician · Survey Field Technician · Traffic Analyst · Traffic Control Laborer · Traffic Control Specialist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionSpeakingWritingMonitoringActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
Public Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsTransportationEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyLaw and GovernmentMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeEducation and TrainingMechanicalDesignBuilding and Construction
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionSpeech ClarityDeductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionNear VisionPerceptual Speed
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessIntegrityStress ToleranceAchievement Orientation
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareObject or component oriented development softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareGeographic information systemData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareOperating system software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
  2. Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
  3. Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
CIP education codes
15.020144.0403

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.