Highway engineers are civil engineers who plan and help build the thousands of miles of roads built across the country every year. There are three major branches of highway engineering: planning, research, and construction. Most highway engineers specialize in one of these areas.
Planning engineers work with city and regional planners. They try to figure out ways to relieve the traffic congestion in overcrowded areas. They analyze traffic patterns and keep abreast of the construction of new buildings that might cause future traffic problems. Highway engineers must also consider the effect new roads will have on the environment. These workers are usually employed by city, state, and federal governments, and by consulting firms used by government agencies. Highway planners may also work for transportation departments that control the transit systems of large cities.
Highway engineers who specialize in research are concerned with finding new ways and means for building highways. They investigate new machines and technology, new pavement designs, and improved maintenance operations. This research is the basis for well-planned and well-built highways. Research is usually conducted by federal agencies and by engineering colleges that employ highway engineers.
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