Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 21
Exhibit 5 (Continued)
Core Job Function by Related Competencies
Core Job
Functions Related Competencies
Real-Time Operations Strategies Maintenance of the capacity and safety of highways
Operations by controlling traffic, responding to incidents, clearing snow and other
obstructions, and providing information to users on highway conditions and
alternatives.
Systems and Technology Knowledge and understanding of the department's
operating systems as well as the technology required to carry out real-time
operations.
Safety Focus on crash avoidance by enhancing driver performance, including
advanced collision avoidance systems and the automated highway system.
Security Precautions taken to guard against the danger, risk, or safety threats
of major highways.
Management of Real-Time Operations Systems The integration of key
activities to ensure real-time monitoring of the traffic and travel conditions of
major highways and sharing that information to improve transportation system
security; address congestion; improve response to emergencies, weather events,
and surface transportation incidents; and facilitate national and regional
highway traveler information.
The competencies highlighted represent the underlying KSA requirement for the positions
previously described in Exhibit 4. All information presented was assembled from position
descriptions and data collected during our literature review as well as from our SOM experts
interviewed.
3.4 ESTIMATING FUTURE SOM WORKFORCE NEEDS
Using the defined core function areas and related competency information associated with the
SOM jobs titles identified (see Exhibit 4), our team mapped the job titles to a standard listing of
Department of Labor (DOL) occupations to conduct the historical and future staffing estimates.
The mapping exercise accomplished two goals. First, converting the DOT titles revealed through
our data collection to Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes allowed our team to
conduct these analyses using existing DOL labor market data and through a propriety workforce
analysis tool developed by EMSI, Inc. EMSI's labor market research and forecasting tool
compiles data from over 90 state and federal government sources, including data sets published
by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Second, this mapping exercise allowed our team to ensure that the specific occupational
knowledge, skill, and ability needs of SOM jobs were represented in our staffing analysis.
The DOL SOC codes that were identified through the mapping exercise are presented in Exhibit
6. The first column in the table represents the SOC codes of each occupation and the second
column lists the title of each SOC code. Subsequent columns represent each of the five Work
Function categories associated with SOM occupations. A " " mark represents an association
between SOC codes and SOM-related Work Functions. As illustrated in Exhibit 6, the list of
21
OCR for page 22
SOC codes identified broadly captures the entirety of functional characteristics existing within
SOM occupations. This mapping exercise also revealed that the SOC codes found sufficiently
cover the KSAs and work functions needed in SOM occupations.
Exhibit 6
Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) Codes and Titles Mapped to SOM-Related
Work Functions
Dept. of
Labor Policy
(DOL) DOL Standard and Program Systems Project Real-
SOC Code Occupation Title Strategic Planning Dvlpmnt Mngmnt Time Ops
Computer and
11-3021 Information Systems
Managers
Network Systems and
15-1081 Data Communications
Analysts
Information
15-1099 Technology Project
Managers
17-2051 Civil Engineers
17-2071 Electrical Engineers
Civil Engineering
17-3022 Technicians
Electronics
17-3023 Engineering
Technicians
Engineering
17-3029 Technicians, Except
Drafters, All Other
43-5031 Dispatchers
47-2111 Electricians
Highway Maintenance
47-4051 Workers
22
OCR for page 23
Exhibit 6 (Continued)
SOC Codes and Titles Mapped to SOM-Related Work Functions
Policy
DOL SOC DOL Standard and Program Systems Project Real-
Code Occupation Title Strategic Planning Dvlpmnt Mngmnt Time Ops
Electrical and
Electronics Installers
49-2093 and Repairers,
Transportation
Equipment
Maintenance and
49-9042 Repair Workers,
General
Signal and Track
49-9097 Switch Repairers
53-6041 Traffic Technicians
It is important to point out that the SOC codes and the data associated with them do contain jobs
that would not fall under this report's definition of the "SOM" and they include jobs from other
related industries. For instance, "Dispatchers" includes jobs that might fall under police and fire.
Similarly, the data reported for civil engineers includes civil engineers employed within other
transportation modes as well as other industries. Nevertheless, this is the best national data
available for these occupations, and at a macro level, it is apparent that each of these occupations
serves an important indicator for the SOM workforce. By analyzing SOC data, we are able to
determine if and how demand for these jobs will continue to increase over the next decade. This
will assist the SOM community in planning for projected increases in staffing levels and assist in
avoiding future workforce skill gaps due to amplified competition from other fields.
Once the relevant SOC codes were identified, our team generated and analyzed historic, current,
and future occupational estimates for SOM occupations. Our historical estimates provide
information on the change in SOM-related occupations during the time period between 2005 and
2010. Our future occupational reports provide information on projected changes for SOM-related
occupations between 2010 and 2015 as well as between 2010 and 2020. For all time periods, we
conducted the occupational analysis at the national, regional (Northeast, South, Midwest, and
West), and state levels. The regional distinctions used correspond with the U.S. Census Bureau's
definitions. Exhibit 7 provides an overview of the specific states represented in each regional
area.
23
OCR for page 24
Exhibit 7
States Included in Each Regional Area Used to Conduct Occupational Analysis
Regions State Areas
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Northeast
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North
Midwest
Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
West
Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
South Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Historic SOM Staffing Estimates (20052010). This section presents our historical analysis of
SOM staffing estimates across the representative SOC codes at the national levels. Region- and
state-level historical analyses are provided in Appendix A of NCHRP Web-Only Document 182,
which is available at http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/166342.aspx. In each table, the full list of
SOM-related SOC codes is provided with their corresponding DOL standard occupational titles.
Then, for each SOC code, we provide the total number of jobs in 2005, the total number of jobs
in 2010, and the corresponding change. In addition, we provide the occupation's corresponding
entry education level. All tables are sorted by `% Change' to highlight the occupations with the
greatest job growth over the last 5 years. Exhibit 8 provides the national occupational change
summary from 20052010.
Exhibit 8
National--Historical Occupational Change Summary 20052010
SOC DOL Standard # of 2005 # of 2010 %
Code Occupation Title Jobs Jobs Change Change Education Level
Network systems and
15-1081 data communications 303,364 356,088 52,724 17% Bachelor's degree
analysts
Moderate-term on-
43-5031 Dispatchers 90,202 98,005 7,803 9%
the-job training
Signal and track Moderate-term on-
49-9097 31,704 34,549 2,845 9%
switch repairers the-job training
Computer specialists,
15-1099 224,950 237,783 12,833 6% Associate's degree
all other
Computer and
Degree plus work
11-3021 information systems 297,123 306,710 9,587 3%
experience
managers
17-2051 Civil engineers 296,138 302,371 6,233 2% Bachelor's degree
Civil engineering
17-3022 80,463 82,333 1,870 2% Associate's degree
technicians
Highway Moderate-term on-
47-4051 138,028 140,876 2,848 2%
maintenance workers the-job training
24
OCR for page 25
Exhibit 8 (Continued)
National--Historical Occupational Change Summary 20052010
SOC DOL Standard # of 2005 # of 2010 %
Code Occupation Title Jobs Jobs Change Change Education Level
Short-term on-the-
53-6041 Traffic technicians 6,799 6,893 94 1%
job training
Maintenance and
Moderate-term on-
49-9042 repair workers, 1,368,025 1,355,676 (12,349)* (1%)
the-job training
general
Engineering
17-3029 technicians, except 71,603 70,019 (1,584) (2%) Associate's degree
drafters, all other
Transportation,
Work experience in
11-3071 storage, and 106,034 101,736 (4,298) (4%)
a related field
distribution managers
Electrical and
electronics installers
Postsecondary
49-2093 and repairers, 14,144 13,612 (532) (4%)
vocational award
transportation
equipment
17-2071 Electrical engineers 159,420 152,126 (7,294) (5%) Bachelor's degree
Electrical and
electronic
17-3023 161,272 151,788 (9,484) (6%) Associate's degree
engineering
technicians
Long-term on-the-
47-2111 Electricians 759,065 664,009 (95,056) (13%)
job training
*
Change and % Change numbers that appear in parentheses and in red indicate negative change.
There are several observations that can be derived from the national occupational change data
provided in Exhibit 8, in conjunction with the regional occupational change data provided in
Exhibits A-1 through A-4 included in Appendix A of NCHRP Web-Only Document 182. First, it
is clear that the demand for the following three key SOM occupations has greatly increased over
the last 5 years: Network systems and data communications analysts, Dispatchers, and Signal
and track switch repairers. This finding was supported by our interview results as well. The
majority of participants suggested that these three jobs are increasing in their organizations.
Second, it is interesting to note that the demand for Civil Engineers has remained relatively
constant over the last 5 years, between 0% and 4% across the regions, despite the downturn in
the economy. This suggests that these jobs will remain a vital part of transportation organizations
going forward. Lastly, on a national labor category level, demand has been steadily decreasing
for the following three important SOM occupations over the last 5 years: Electrical engineers,
Electrical and electronic engineering technician, and Electricians. This finding underscores the
evolution of SOM occupations. It also represents potential cross-training opportunities of
employees skilled in the area of Electronics over to Network systems and data communications
analyst positions.
25
OCR for page 26
Forecasted SOM Staffing Estimates (20102015 and 20152020). In this section, we present
our analysis of SOM staffing estimates over the next 5-year (20102015) and 10-year (2010
2020) periods. As in the previous section, staffing estimates were derived using representative
SOC codes and are provided at the national level. Region- and state-level future staffing analyses
are provided as Appendix B in NCHRP Web-Only Document 182. In each table, the full list of
SOM-related SOC codes is provided with their corresponding DOL standard occupational titles.
Then, for each SOC code, we provide the total number of jobs in 2010, the total estimated
number of jobs in 2015, and the total projected number of jobs in 2020. The resultant change is
calculated for the period between 2010 and 2020. In addition, we provide the occupation's
corresponding entry education level. All tables are sorted by `% Change' to highlight the
occupations with the greatest job growth over the next 10 years. Exhibit 9 provides the national
forecasted occupational change summary from 20102015 and 20102020.
Exhibit 9
National--Forecasted Occupational Change Summary
2010, 2015, and 2020
%
DOL Standard Change Change
SOC Occupation # of 2010 # of 2015 # of 2020 (2010- (2010- Education
Code Title Jobs Jobs Jobs 2020) 2020) Level
Network systems
and data Bachelor's
15-1081 356,088 432,635 500,975 144,887 41%
communications degree
analysts
Bachelor's
17-2051 Civil engineers 302,371 343,268 368,168 65,797 22%
degree
Moderate-term
Signal and track
49-9097 34,549 39,286 41,398 6,849 20% on-the-job
switch repairers
training
Computer and
Degree plus
11-3021 information 306,710 335,784 357,383 50,673 17%
work experience
systems managers
Civil engineering Associate's
17-3022 82,333 91,627 96,525 14,192 17%
technicians degree
Moderate-term
43-5031 Dispatchers 98,005 107,604 113,239 15,234 16% on-the-job
training
Long-term on-
47-2111 Electricians 664,009 726,463 752,438 88,429 13%
the-job training
Computer
Associate's
15-1099 specialists, all 237,783 256,543 268,962 31,179 13%
degree
other
Maintenance and Moderate-term
49-9042 repair workers, 1,355,676 1,450,082 1,513,467 157,791 12% on-the-job
general training
Engineering
Associate's
17-3029 technicians, except 70,019 72,173 74,006 3,987 6%
degree
drafters
26
OCR for page 27
Exhibit 9 (Continued)
National--Forecasted Occupational Change Summary
2010, 2015, and 2020
%
DOL Standard Change Change
SOC Occupation # of 2010 # of 2015 # of 2020 (2010- (2010- Education
Code Title Jobs Jobs Jobs 2020) 2020) Level
Short-term on-
53-6041 Traffic technicians 6,893 7,230 7,285 392 6%
the-job training
Highway Moderate-term
47-4051 maintenance 140,876 146,743 147,888 7,012 5% on-the-job
workers training
Electrical and
electronics
installers and Postsecondary
49-2093 13,612 13,969 14,149 537 4%
repairers, vocational award
transportation
equipment
Electrical Bachelor's
17-2071 152,126 154,331 155,772 3,646 2%
engineers degree
Transportation,
storage, and Work experience
11-3071 101,736 103,425 101,644 (92)* 0%
distribution in a related field
managers
Electrical and
electronic Associate's
17-3023 151,788 150,130 149,249 (2,539) (2%)
engineering degree
technicians
*
Change and % Change numbers that appear in parentheses and in red indicate negative change.
In reviewing the national and regional forecasted occupation change data (see Exhibits B-1
through B-4 included in Appendix B of NCHRP Web-Only Document 182), widespread growth
is expected in the SOM field. Numerous SOM-related occupations are likely to experience
substantial demand increases between 2010 and 2020, including Network systems and data
communications analysts, Civil engineers, Signal and track switch repairers, Computer and
information systems managers, Civil engineering technicians, Computer specialists,
Maintenance workers, and Dispatchers. Even among the few occupations where the growth is
expected to be negative or modest between 2010 and 2020 such as Electrical engineering,
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians, and Engineering technicians, staffing
projections indicate that there will be no major SOM staffing declines.
This nearly unilateral growth was also supported by our interview data. The majority of SOM
experts we interviewed believe SOM workforce needs would change and increase dramatically
over the next 5 to 10 years. Experts were in agreement, speculating that DOTs will increase their
focus on asset management as they begin to shift from an emphasis on capacity building and
adding to the system to an emphasis on "taking care of what is already in place" and maximizing
the operational capacity of the existing system. In other words, this could lead to an increased
focus on systems becoming better managed, including higher levels of efficiency and
effectiveness, as well as traffic throughput. Every participant stated that they believe SOM will
have an increasingly important role in this shift. As a result, participants reiterated the need to
27
