Will traffic technicians be replaced by AI?
Updated
Traffic technicians score 38 of 100 for AI exposure. 46% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 20% today and speed up another 34%.
- 20% AI can do it
- 34% AI helps
- 46% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Higher than 50% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 23 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 4 of them today, speeds up 8 and leaves 11 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input. Coding and compiling count data is largely data entry work. | 80% AI can do it |
| Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions. Charts and diagrams are routine output from software tools. | 75% AI can do it |
| Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas. Signal timing formulas are standard calculations software can run. | 70% AI can do it |
| Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems. Work orders are structured forms built from field notes. | 65% AI can do it |
| Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow. AI can crunch flow and crash data; engineer judges fixes. | 55% AI helps |
| Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary. AI can check plans against standards; officials keep permit authority. | 55% AI helps |
| Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public. Road condition info is largely digital; chatbots can relay it. | 55% AI helps |
| Establish procedures for street closures or for repair or construction projects. AI can draft closure procedures; coordination with stakeholders stays human. | 50% AI helps |
| Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment. CAD tools help drafting, but layout and review stay manual. | 45% AI helps |
| Develop plans or long-range strategies for providing adequate parking space. AI helps analyze parking data; policy choices need planners. | 45% AI helps |
Show the other 13 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency. Design needs engineering judgment; AI speeds options and modeling. | 40% AI helps |
| Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures. Live public contact and complaints need people; AI drafts answers. | 35% AI helps |
| Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness. Assessing lighting and sign visibility requires on site inspection. | 20% Needs a person |
| Visit development or work sites to determine projects' effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures. Site visits to observe traffic effects are in person work. | 20% Needs a person |
| Monitor street or utility projects for compliance to traffic control permit conditions. Monitoring active work sites for compliance requires physical presence. | 20% Needs a person |
| Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area. Needs on site observation of delays and vehicle speeds. | 15% Needs a person |
| Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times. Deploying counters and recording counts is mostly field work. | 15% Needs a person |
| Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches. Stopwatch timing is manual field observation, though video helps. | 15% Needs a person |
| Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment. Operating radar and timing gear happens in the field. | 12% Needs a person |
| Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers. Supervising crews relies on in person leadership and trust. | 10% Needs a person |
| Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices. Repairing survey equipment is hands on work with physical parts. | 8% Needs a person |
| Lay out pavement markings for striping crews. Pavement marking layout is physical work on the roadway. | 6% Needs a person |
| Place and secure automatic counters, using power tools, and retrieve counters after counting periods end. Placing and securing counters with power tools is physical labor. | 3% Needs a person |
How traffic technicians compare
All occupations (923)
Transportation and material moving (52)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $59,090 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 7,860 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +4.0% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Place and retrieve automatic counters with power tools in the field
- Lay out pavement markings for striping crews on live roadways
- Check signal timing outputs in Excel against field observations
- Model crash and traffic flow data in R for engineer review
- Edit barricade and traffic control plans in AutoCAD for permits
- Repair radar and timing equipment with replacement parts on site
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about traffic technicians and AI
Will AI replace traffic technicians?
Partly. About 4 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly coding and compiling count data and preparing charts and graphs. Field work stays with people, because placing counters, measuring speeds with radar and repairing survey equipment all need a person on the roadway.
Which traffic technician tasks is AI taking over?
Coding count data from hand sheets, machine tapes and radar checks has an exposure score of 80, and it is mostly data entry. Charts and diagrams (75) and signal timing calculations (70) follow, since they rely on standard formulas and routine software output.
Which traffic technician tasks stay human?
Placing automatic counters (exposure 3) and laying out pavement markings (exposure 6) stay with technicians because they are physical work on the roadway. Studying delays (exposure 15) and measuring speeds with radar (exposure 12) need on-site observation of vehicles.
How can traffic technicians stay valuable as AI takes over data work?
Check AI-generated signal timing and count results against your field observations, which means the findings match the road. Keep radar, counter and equipment repair skills sharp, take on supervising crews that install traffic control devices, and learn AutoCAD so you can review barricade plans for permits.
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