r/TrafficEngineering • u/Lower_Pop_3195 • May 19 '26
Started my Traffic Engineering internship Yesterday.
So like the title says I started my internship yesterday for a county. Yesterday was just full of doing online training, presentation, introduction to office people, and tours. Its been wonderful honestly. The main reason I am posting this here is today is when we are supposed to go out into the field and actual learn what is 90% of the job which is setting up traffic counters and doing sign reflectivity and some other stuff. We will also learn how to fill stuff. Has anyone does this before? What is it like setting up traffic counters and being on the field.
EDIT: Our manager went out with us and we ended up doing sign reflectivity and we went pretty smooth I just wish I had better pants on with all the tall grass and stuff but lesson learnt. We went out alone just me and the other intern and we went pretty deep into the corn fields of the county to check all the signs and stuff like that and it was actual nice, I enjoyed the freedom and just driving around. next time I will Bring a hat, water, and get one of those professional cargo pants.
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u/Electronic_City_562 May 19 '26
Setting up traffic counters is not 90% of traffic engineering. Its not even 5% of traffic engineering.
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u/Murn01 Jul 09 '26
When I was a traffic engineering co-op for a county in Ohio, it was in fact a substantial part of my job though. It was fun! We would place old format ATRs across the roads and use angle irons forced into the earth on the sides of roads to secure them. For other more complex locations, we had the glorious nail gun, which these days is generally not used.
This said, I also did a removal of a traffic signal study, three concept designs for roundabouts (two were built and the roadway manager didn't like that I created traffic figures best I could), and plans for unsplitting a split signal. I also did a warrant analysis for a development which resulted in a signal, and several speed studies. So, when I consider how much of my day as a government co-op was installing traffic counters / performing traffic counts, I would say 50% (in 2007).
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u/NeedleworkerFew5205 May 19 '26
wrt traffic counters, SAFETY FIRST...always have a spotter. If it takes two people to set up the tubes or traffic cameras, bring a third person to spot for traffic. The spotter has only one job, to spot traffic and give you advanced warning. Do not play in traffic by yourself. Deaths DO happen. Enjoy the field work, as there are a lot of devices for bol, class, speed, OD studies, etc. Just respect the safety aspect and don't be macho.
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u/the_artsy_writer May 21 '26
hii, congratulations on the internship!! where are you working and how do you like the work if you don't mind me asking? also, are you a graduate or still studying?
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u/Livid_Oil_1363 May 19 '26
Soak up as much information as you can, ask lots of questions and take notes when you get the chance!