A transportation analyst researches, develops, and manages transportation system solutions. This career field could also entail managing supply lines, which involve the shipment of materials and products via a variety of modes of transportation. Transportation analysts in supply chain management are frequently expected to be knowledgeable about shipping regulations and customs that affect the transportation of goods. Intermodal transportation system managers, also known as transportation logistics managers, may work with IT professionals, engineers, or shipping companies to oversee intermodal transportation systems. The analyst may also be in charge of planning or managing public transportation infrastructure.
Transportation systems are made up of chains that transport goods or people, and the links that connect those chains are frequently complex integrations of various modes of transportation. A consumer good, for example, could be transported thousands of miles or kilometers. Various modes of transportation may be used along the way, including trucking, air transport, and rail. The transportation analyst is primarily responsible for ensuring that all aspects of this process run smoothly, on time, and reliably. Because a supply chain can be disrupted mechanical failures, bad weather, or even political strife, the analyst is usually tasked with developing backup plans for a transportation system.
Working with public transportation systems may be part of a transportation analyst’s job description at times. If this is the case, the analyst’s job entails creating commuter modes of transportation that are safe, dependable, and appealing. Such systems are frequently intermodal, as a commuter may drive to a train station, then take the train from one city to another, and then finish the journey on the subway. Typically, the analyst’s job is to devise strategies to keep the system running smoothly. A transportation analyst in a major metropolitan area’s typical task would be to assess the number of commuters and match that with the appropriate scheduling of subway arrivals and departures, for example.
The analyst can use traffic data to create an efficient and seamless meshing of these various modes of transportation. A transportation analyst’s responsibilities may also include safety planning. His or her responsibilities could include planning and marking evacuation routes, as well as ensuring that infrastructure can safely handle loads. Some transportation analysts concentrate their efforts on devising strategies for reducing traffic congestion. This could include reprogramming traffic lights so that there are no backups during daily commutes and traffic flows more smoothly.
If a transportation analyst is in charge of keeping a supply chain running, his or her other responsibilities may necessitate extensive knowledge of shipping customs. He or she might also be in charge of tracking goods in transit. Because the movement of goods is sometimes tracked using global positioning systems, knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) may be highly valued in supply chain management.