Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Mode Choice Analysis • Signal Timing • Trip Distribution

Trip Generation

Term from Transportation Planning industry explained for recruiters

Trip Generation is a fundamental concept in transportation planning that helps predict how many people will travel to and from a specific location, like a new shopping center or housing development. It's like forecasting customer traffic - planners use this information to figure out if roads and parking lots will be adequate. This is typically one of the first steps when planning new developments or improving existing transportation systems. The process involves analyzing similar locations and using standard guidebooks (like the ITE Trip Generation Manual) to make educated predictions about future traffic patterns.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Trip Generation studies for major retail developments in urban areas

Applied Trip Generation analysis to determine parking needs for mixed-use developments

Led Trip Generation and traffic impact assessments for residential communities

Typical job title: "Transportation Planners"

Also try searching for:

Transportation Engineer Traffic Engineer Urban Planner Transportation Analyst Traffic Impact Analyst Transportation Planning Consultant

Where to Find Transportation Planners

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where your trip generation estimates are challenged by local residents?

Expected Answer: A senior planner should discuss their approach to community engagement, explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and ability to defend their methodology while considering community concerns. They should mention using reliable data sources and industry standards to support their findings.

Q: How do you account for new trends like remote work or ride-sharing in trip generation studies?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of adapting traditional trip generation methods to modern travel patterns, using current data, and applying professional judgment to adjust standard rates when necessary.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when conducting a trip generation analysis?

Expected Answer: Should mention land use type, size of development, time of day, surrounding area characteristics, and use of ITE Trip Generation Manual or local data. Should also discuss how these factors affect the final estimates.

Q: How do you determine appropriate trip generation rates for mixed-use developments?

Expected Answer: Should explain internal capture rates, shared trips between different uses, and how to account for walking/transit trips. Should mention using industry guidelines and local data to support decisions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the purpose of trip generation analysis?

Expected Answer: Should explain that trip generation helps predict how many vehicles or people will travel to and from a new development, which helps plan roads, parking, and other transportation facilities.

Q: What resources do you use to determine trip generation rates?

Expected Answer: Should mention the ITE Trip Generation Manual, local transportation department guidelines, and possibly other standard references used in the industry.