Transportation Engineering

The field of engineering is so vast with various disciplines and sub discipline within it. Here we are dealing with Transportation engineering, a sub discipline of civil engineering, one of the oldest engineering disciplines. Its a career field that is expected to experience tremendous growth over the coming years due to urbanization. Transportation engineering is the application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation. Therefore, it has applications in planning and construction of roadways & bridges, ports, airways and railways. In other words it is the engineering branch that is concerned about the development of city roads, interstate highways, railroads, airfields, pavements, canals and urban mass rapid transport systems. Railway, bus, highway, bridge and airport systems are intricate infrastructures that require considerable planning and development. Transportation engineers are professionals who design these systems. Hence, Transportation engineers meet a vital need in every community. They are specialists within the discipline of civil engineering who work to ensure the safety and efficiency of public transportation systems. They prepare plans, estimates, and specifications to design transportation facilities that ensure the safe, economical and timely movement of people and goods. A transport engineer has to conduct regular safety inspections to ensure that train tracks, roads and waterways are in working order and take care of the repair work if any. Many of the transport engineers specialize in specific areas like traffic, railways, airport etc. Work conditions vary depending on the company and specific position. Engineers may work in an office setting, though usually they will be required to work at construction sites. An engineer should expect to work in all kinds of weather conditions. They generally work forty hours per week, although overtime may be necessary if construction deadlines are to be met. Eligibility Educational Like all other engineers, Transportation engineers must have the basic bachelor’s degree in Engineering. These professionals usually have their graduations in civil engineering. It is after taking a bachelor degree in civil engineering, one opts for specialisation in transportation engineering at the masters level.However, for teaching and research positions master's degrees or doctorate is required. Courses in computer-aided design are also helpful. Transportation engineers usually continue their education throughout their careers through attending various conferences, seminars, and conventions. The basic eligibility criteria for a BE / B.Tech in Civil Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination, with high percentage of marks in Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). Selection to the graduate courses ( BE / B.Tech ) is based on merit i.e the marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 and through entrance exams. To get admission to undergraduate (bachelor degree) programmes in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and central technical universities one has to obtain good score in JEE. After B.Tech, one can go for specialised Post graduate courses in M.E/M.Tech Ttransportation engineering. Selection to post graduate courses is based on GATE scores. Duration : BE/B.Tech courses are of 4 year's duration. M.Tech courses are of 2 years duration. Personal attributes Aspirants needs to have a sharp, analytical and practical mind and give attention to detail. Transportation engineers must be able to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people mostly government officials as their work affects public behavior and policy. He should be good at organizing and solving problems. He may need to work under pressure and have the ability to keep calm during crisis. Ability to work as a team is another requisite as job requires working as a team with a variety of other engineers and professionals. They also need to know building and safety regulations, local authority and government regulations, acceptable standards for construction and how to draw plans.