Assistant Transport Planner

Roles and responsibilities

Professional Membership

• Membership of a professional institution or society such as CIHT, ICE or TPS
• Eligibility for chartership/certification/license from a recognized professional body (e.g. P.E., P.Eng., CEng, Chartered Transport Planner or equivalent) is preferred.

Additional Comments:

• The candidate should be able to travel locally within the UAE, and regionally to neighbouring countries.
• Experience profile: between 7-12 years of experience in transportation engineering and planning.

Specific Skills Required

The candidate should have:

• Good understanding of the underlying principles of transport planning and modelling, sufficient to carry out and support transport modelling, master planning and impact studies.
• Experience of using industry standard software such as Cube Voyager; PTV Visum; PTV Vissim, SIDRA, Synchro, HCS+.
• Working knowledge/experience of Abu Dhabi Strategic Transportation Evaluation and Assessment Model (STEAM).
• Awareness/working knowledge of Aimsun is advantageous.
• Ability to create, handle and manipulate large data sets with MS Excel.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Very good technical writing skills.
• Competent use of the English language (reading, writing, and spoken) at a professional and technical level.
• Good understanding of Project Management techniques.
• Ability to coordinate, manage and supervise junior colleagues’ workloads.
• Good understanding of project delivery and execution within field of experience particularly regarding the requirements for the technical delivery of services and the Quality assurance/Control process and procedures.
• Ability to lead and manage small to medium scale transportation planning projects and transportation planning inputs to multi-disciplinary projects.

Advantageous skills:

• Experience in using statistical tools and database software packages.
• Working knowledge of GIS packages such as ArcGIS.
• Road safety.
• Preparation of technical and commercial proposals for traffic study and master planning services.
• Arabic language skills (reading, writing, and spoken).
• Previous middle east / GCC experience.

Behavioural Attributes

• This position is oriented predominantly towards technical delivery. The candidate is expected to work closely with his/her line manager, project managers, and other team members in a cooperative and productive manner. As such he/she should demonstrate:
• the ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing), prepare presentations and reports.
• constructive participation in project teams.
• commitment to quality outcomes and pride in work.
• good personal organization.
• proactiveness and the commitment to continual professional development.
• ability to represent the company in front of clients and authorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning or related field (mandatory).
• Masters Degree in Transportation Engineering and Planning (advantageous).

Desired candidate profile

1. Transport Planning Expertise

• Traffic Flow Analysis: Understanding of traffic patterns and the ability to use traffic modeling software to analyze congestion, intersections, and overall traffic flow.
• Transportation System Design: Expertise in designing transportation networks that optimize road, rail, public transit, and cycling systems. This includes determining optimal routes, intersections, and transit hubs.
• Multi-Modal Transport: Knowledge of integrated transportation systems that involve multiple modes of travel, such as cars, buses, trains, bicycles, and walking.
• Land Use and Transport Integration: Ability to align transport planning with urban development, ensuring that transportation infrastructure supports sustainable growth and is well-connected to key areas.

2. Transport Modelling and Analysis Tools

• Traffic Simulation Software: Proficiency with tools like VISSIM, SYNCHRO, PARAMICS, or other traffic simulation software to model traffic scenarios, test infrastructure designs, and predict traffic behavior.
• Transport Demand Modeling: Knowledge of software like SATURN, TransCAD, or VISUM for forecasting travel demand, planning transit routes, and understanding the needs of different transportation modes.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) to map transport systems, analyze spatial data, and assist in planning and decision-making processes.

3. Regulatory Knowledge and Policy Development

• Transportation Policies: Familiarity with local, national, and international transport policies, regulations, and standards, such as Vision Zero for road safety, Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), and Low Emission Zones (LEZs).
• Environmental and Safety Regulations: Understanding of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and the integration of safety standards, especially in the design and planning of roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure.
• Government Guidelines: Knowledge of the relevant local authorities' planning and transport guidelines, including public transport strategies, road safety regulations, and sustainable transport practices.

4. Urban Mobility and Sustainability

• Sustainable Transport Systems: Expertise in designing sustainable, energy-efficient transport systems, including electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly environments, and green transportation policies.
• Public Transport Planning: Understanding of mass transit systems such as buses, subways, and light rail, with the ability to plan routes, schedules, and capacity management.
• Smart City Solutions: Experience with technology and innovations that improve transport efficiency, such as intelligent transport systems (ITS), autonomous vehicles (AVs), and mobility as a service (MaaS).

5. Project Management

• Leadership and Team Management: Leading multi-disciplinary teams in the design and implementation of transport projects, ensuring that all members are effectively coordinated and aligned with the project's objectives.
• Budgeting and Scheduling: Managing budgets, timelines, and resources for transport planning projects to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with the required specifications.