Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2051.01

Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

US jobs
367,840 (SOC 17-2051 group, "Civil Engineers")
Median wage
$100,840 a year
Job family
Architecture and engineering

Can agents do the work of transportation engineers?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.

Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 9% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark (figures for the SOC 17-2051 group).

  • 12%Design structures or facilitiesNot measured
  • 8%Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical dataNot measured
  • 6%Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Inspect facilities or equipmentNot measured
  • 4%Advise others on business or operational mattersNot measured
  • 4%Estimate project development or operational costsNot measured
  • 4%Create visual designs or displaysNot measured
  • 4%Plan work activitiesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Context only

These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
  • Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
  • Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
  • Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
  • Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
  • Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
  • Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
  • Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
  • Estimate transportation project costs.
  • Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.
  • Evaluate traffic control devices or lighting systems to determine need for modification or expansion.
  • Prepare project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
Other job titles for this occupation (22)

Engineer · Project Engineer · Rail Engineer · Roadway Designer · Roadway Engineer · State Roadway Design Engineer · Traffic Engineer · Traffic Operations Engineer · Transportation Engineer · Airport Engineer · Civil Transportation Engineer · Highway Civil Engineer · Highway Engineer · Highway Project Engineer · Road Engineer · Roadway Project Engineer · Transportation Analyst · Transportation Consultant · Transportation Design Engineer · Transportation Engineering Intern · Transportation Planning Engineer · Transportation Project Engineer