9 Best Online Certification To Upkill As a Transportation Engineer in the USA

Why Do Transport Engineers Need To Upskill in 2025?

The rapid transformation of global mobility systems and the increasing integration of smart technologies in transportation infrastructure have made it mandatory for transportation engineers to upskill. Upcoming trends like electric mobility, intelligent transport systems (ITS), AI-based traffic modeling, and sustainable urban mobility planning are changing the demands of transportation engineering jobs. Traditional roles are expanding to include expertise in data analytics, automation, and climate-responsive design. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% employment growth for transportation engineers through 2033. Additionally, vacancies have increased by nearly 38% nationwide, with approximately 33,850 new jobs expected to be filled by 2029. These figures highlight a substantial skill gap and steep competition for qualified professionals. Therefore, entry-level as well as experienced transport engineers should invest in accredited courses to improve their technical toolkit and secure roles with better transportation engineering salaries.

9 Best Transportation Engineering Online Courses in USA

Below is a list of top courses to help you acquire skills as a transportation engineer and get a certificate. Compare the courses in terms of duration, fee, and syllabus, and take a call. 

1. BIM Professional Course for Civil Engineers by Novatr

The program starts with the fundamentals of BIM and gradually progresses into modeling components, creating families, and working with concrete and steel structures. It consists of 10 modules to be covered over 2 to 4 weeks. The course delves into advanced topics like precast elements, reinforcement detailing, scheduling, annotations, documentation, and presentation of BIM models. Participants gain practical insights into collaboration, coordination, clash detection, and the development of a BEP. It also provides experience through hands-on capstone projects and allows learners to choose from various specializations based on their interests. It also covers software for transportation engineering and provides placement assistance. 

2. GIZ – Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) & Online Training Series

Developed by GIZ under the TUMI initiative, this program includes multiple online modules on sustainable transport planning, electric mobility, and vocational logistics. Delivered through FutureLearn and other platforms, these courses incorporate real-world pilot projects, gender-inclusive planning strategies, and climate-conscious design. With hybrid options and global reach, TUMI’s training empowers engineers to drive meaningful transport reform in urban and developing regions.

3. Smart Cities: Transportation Infrastructure in the Urban Age by EdX – ETH Zurich

This comprehensive course explores smart transportation solutions, urban planning, and innovative infrastructure models. It equips engineers with a forward-thinking approach to sustainable transport in growing cities and covers various software used in transportation engineering. Real-world urban case studies, expert interviews, and peer collaboration make this a visionary course for engineers aiming to lead in smart city development.

4. Transportation Systems Engineering by MIT OpenCourseWare

This course from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a deep dive into transportation systems planning and operations. Taught by industry experts, it explores travel demand forecasting, traffic flow theory, and network modeling. Learners also gain knowledge of system performance measures and the integration of sustainable transport modes. Designed for graduate-level students and working professionals, the content is freely accessible and provides an academic edge through real-world case studies and lecture notes.

5. Highway Engineering Course by Udemy

Udemy’s Highway Engineering course introduces engineers to essential road design and construction elements, including pavement layers, geometric design, and safety guidelines. With video-based modules and downloadable resources, learners can master applied concepts at their own pace. The platform also provides an online transportation engineering certificate that can be added to a professional portfolio or resume. The program is affordable and includes lifetime access. 

6. Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering by Coursera – University of Toronto

This Coursera course covers core areas such as travel behavior, road geometry, traffic control devices, and transportation networks. Developed by experts at the University of Toronto, the course combines theoretical foundations with practical tools and techniques, with hands-on assignments and quizzes. It features flexible scheduling, real-world examples, and a certificate that can boost career prospects in transportation planning.

7. Transit and Sustainable Urban Mobility by FutureLearn – UCL

Offered by University College London in collaboration with TUMI and GIZ, this course explores the transition to sustainable urban transport systems. It introduces frameworks like “Avoid–Shift–Improve,” alongside modules on integrated planning, public transit, and participatory decision-making. With peer discussion, expert interviews, and certification, it’s ideal for transportation engineers committed to climate-friendly mobility.

8. Transportation Planning and Modeling by LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning’s transport planning modules are efficient, focusing on real-time software used in transportation engineering and applications. Engineers learn to simulate traffic, calculate trip generation, and analyze travel data using industry software. These on-demand tutorials are ideal for upgrading skills quickly, with shareable certificates for LinkedIn profiles.

9. Transportation Engineering MasterTrack Certificate by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Delivered via Coursera, this course blends academic excellence with professional flexibility. It covers topics like traffic analysis, demand forecasting, and sustainable transportation systems. Learners work on industry-relevant applied projects and receive a university-issued certificate that can count toward a complete master’s degree later.

Why Choose Novatr:

Novatr’s BIM professional course for civil engineers aims to help transportation engineers, particularly those in the USA, launch successful careers regardless of their experience level or technical expertise. Through hands-on projects and mentorship from the who’s who of the construction industry, this all-inclusive course empowers transportation engineers to land lucrative career opportunities. Here are top reasons why you should consider Novatr's program:

• Trusted by Thousands: Join 6,000+ BIM learners from over 45 countries who have successfully graduated from Novatr.
  
  
• Expert-Driven Curriculum: Designed through the analysis of 1,000+ job descriptions and rigorously vetted by 200+ global BIM experts.
  
  
• Globally Recognized Certifications: Earn certifications from both Autodesk and Novatr, showcasing your verified expertise.
  
  
• Proven Career Impact: Learners report an average salary hike of 48% after course completion.
  
  
• Loved by BIM Learners: We have 4.6+ average rating across platforms like Google and Trustpilot.

So what are you waiting for, Join a worldwide network of 6,000+ BIM learners. Enroll now!