Traffic Engineer - Synchro Specialist

About the Role

Join Parsons Corporation as a Traffic Engineer specializing in Synchro modeling and operations for Riyadh. This position offers the opportunity to build and fine-tune traffic operation models using Synchro and SimTraffic software to improve intersections and arterial corridors by analyzing timing, phasing, lane usage, and geometric modifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Create Synchro models for both signalized and unsignalized intersections as well as coordinated arterial corridors based on approved traffic data, roadway geometries, and signal timings.
• Accurately input and verify lane layouts, turning movements, saturation flow rates, heavy vehicles, grades, storage lengths, pedestrian phases, and signal sequences and timings.
• Calibrate and validate models by comparing to observed queues, travel time, saturation levels, and cycle data to ensure realistic simulation results.
• Identify traffic operation issues such as bottlenecks, queue spillbacks, split failures, and capacity limitations using Synchro and SimTraffic.
• Develop and test alternative traffic signal timing plans, including phasing, cycle length, splits, offsets, lane assignments, turn restrictions, channelization, and minor geometry adjustments.
• Optimize coordinated corridor signal timing to improve progression and reduce delays and stops across multiple intersections.
• Evaluate alternatives through measures such as delay, level of service, queue lengths, stops, travel time, volume-to-capacity ratios, throughput, and progression quality.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation including model summaries, graphical exhibits, timing sheets, and written technical reports supporting recommended improvements.
• Collaborate with Traffic Signal Operations Engineers to translate model recommendations into practical controller timing plans and field-testing procedures.
• Support development of immediate and strategic corridor improvement programs by quantifying benefits and noting implementation constraints.
• Maintain organized model files with version control, assumptions, calibration notes, input data, and review documentation.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses to assess the impact of variable traffic demand, detector functioning, signal control or field conditions on modeling results.
• Assist with traffic impact assessments, corridor studies, construction traffic management, and special event traffic planning requiring Synchro modeling expertise.
• Participate in technical reviews, respond to feedback, update models as necessary, and contribute to standardized modeling practices and documentation protocols.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Traffic Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years' experience applying Synchro and SimTraffic for intersection and corridor traffic analysis and optimization.
• Proficiency in creating, calibrating, validating, and applying traffic models using real traffic data and existing signal timing information.
• Strong understanding of signalized intersection operations including phasing, timing, coordination, capacity, saturation flow, queueing, delay, and level of service.
• Experience analyzing signal timing and geometric improvements and explaining their operational impacts.
• Familiarity with Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) principles and their application within Synchro analyses.
• Ability to interpret signal timing sheets, controller phasing diagrams, lane layouts, turning movement counts, and field observations for accurate model coding.
• Strong analytical skills with disciplined approach to assumptions, calibration, version management and quality assurance.
• Competency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for data analysis and report generation.
• Good communication skills in English and ability to collaborate with signal operations, roadway design, and field teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience modeling congested urban arterial networks in Saudi Arabia, GCC, or similarly large metropolitan regions.
• Familiarity with additional traffic-analysis and visualization tools such as Vissim, HCS, SIDRA, and ArcGIS.
• Hands-on involvement implementing or validating signal timing plans derived from Synchro models in the field.
• Knowledge of adaptive signal systems, Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM), probe travel-time data, and centralized traffic control systems.
• Professional certifications like PTOE or PTP are advantageous.
• Arabic language skills are desirable but not mandatory.

Company Commitment

Parsons fosters an inclusive and supportive environment welcoming applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), nationality, age, disability, or genetic information. We invest in employee wellbeing and career growth, encouraging you to reach your full potential.

Further Information

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