Professional Transportation Planner Certification, The

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Feb 2007 by Gayle, Steven B

THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION BOARD INC. AND ITE HAVE ANNOUNCED THE PROFESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION PlANNER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION IS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE BY PROVIDING ASSURANCE THAT THE CERTIFICATION HOLDER POSSESSES THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL.

THE TRANSPORTATION PROFESsional Certification Board Inc. (TPCB), which is affiliated with the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), is pleased to announce its newest program, the Professional Transportation Planner certification. On behalf of TPCB, I would like to provide some background information on the program.

The idea of certifying transportation professionals in the fields of traffic operations engineering, transportation planning and transportation safety was developed by die ITE International Board of Direction. TPCB was created as an independent entity to develop and manage certification programs, beginning with the Professional Traffic Operations Engineer(TM) (PTOE).

A task force was convened in 2001 to develop a framework for a transportation planner certification program. After the initial work, the effort was put on hold until TPCB had sufficient resources to move forward. That decision was made in early 2006, and the program is ready to be rolled out in March 2007. This is truly a remarkable effort. ITE members and others practicing transportation planning likely will have questions about the Professional Transportation Planner program. Here are some answers.

In general, certification is a voluntary process through which individuals are recognized for specialized knowledge and skill in a specified field of endeavor. The purpose of certification is to enhance publie safety and welfare by providing assurance that the certification holder possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities required to provide services to the public at a professional level.

Certification can provide a level of assurance to a client, a city council, or a local planning board that the transportation planner addressing them has met the requirements for certification as a Professional Transportation Planner, which includes receiving a passing score on the examination designed to measure knowledge and competency and having the prerequisite years of professional experience as a transportation planner.

As with many other disciplines, the work of transportation planners includes a range of activities. To define the knowledge that will be tested for certification, a panel of practitioners, each with many years in the field, was assembled. Their work was followed by a validation survey to which a large number of practitioners responded. They defined the following domains of knowledge:

* Relationship of land use and transportation;

* Needs assessment for short- and long-range planning;

* Short- and long-range transportation systems planning methods;

* Transportation system evaluation methods;

* Public policy;

* Environmental analysis; and

* Plan implementation.

TPCB follows a rigorous methodology for the creation of certification programs. This process was researched and developed for the PTOE program and meets the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. It involves technical experts writing content and psychometric experts overseeing the actual exam development. This means that an individual can be assured that the Professional Transportation Planner certification is a meaningful and objective measure of professional competence and can present it to the public as such.

TPCB has established the following minimum eligibility requirements to apply for the certification exam:

* An accredited bachelor's degree in a transportation or planning course of study and four years of work experience in transportation planning; or

* An accredited bachelor's degree in any other course of study and five years of work experience in transportation planning; or

* An accredited master's or Ph.D. in planning or transportation and three years of work experience in transportation planning.

Some transportation planners are currently certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and may wonder how the AICP credential relates to the Professional Transportation Planner. TPCB has determined that the content of the AICP program has minimal overlap with the Professional Transportation Planner. Therefore, people who hold the AICP certification will not be granted special status in becoming a certified Professional Transportation Planner. There is no reason, however, why an individual cannot hold both credentials.

The first sitting for the examination will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the following sites: Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago, IL, USA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA; San Diego, CA, USA; and Washington, DC, USA. Additional information as well as an application for the Professional Transportation Planner certification may be found online at www.tpcb.org.