PE Civil Transportation Practice Exam

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• In steady flow, which of the following characteristics remains constant over time?
• Which method or model in M-E PDG predicts rutting in flexible pavement design?
• High plasticity inorganic clay soil is commonly referred to as what?
• In which test is a hammer adjusted to 10 and 18 lbs for measurement?
• What is the degree of saturation, X?
• What impact does an effective green time have on traffic flow?
• The Darcy-Weisbach Equation primarily relates to which aspect of fluid flow?
• What does the term "superelevation" refer to in road design?
• Which statement is true regarding flow in a circular sewer when n is constant with depth?
• What does an increase in the headwater depth indicate in culvert operations?
• What section in the AASHTO Green Book discusses information on the maximum recommended superelevation rates?
• Which parameter is NOT typically included in the head loss calculations?
• The major loss of energy in long pipes is primarily due to what?
• What is the recommended action when there is too much dynamic deflection between railing and posts?
• What is the minimum ratio of letter height to legibility distance for signs?
• In what scenario should regulatory signs be used?
• What assumption does NCEES make regarding the nature of n when not stated?
• What is the assumed height of an object above the pavement as per AASHTO?
• What is the typical use for the Manning’s n value in engineering?
• What should be prioritized in the design of streets to comply with ADA standards?
• What practical application is associated with knowing the drainage coefficients in pavement design?
• Which factor is NOT considered during subsurface exploration?
• A fully saturated soil is best described as which phase system?
• What aspect does not form part of the types of sight distances in roadway design?
• Which section of the AASHTO Green Book provides information on passing sight distance (PSD)?
• What characterizes uniform flow in a fluid?
• What were two reasons for the change of testing standards from NCHRP Report 350 to MASH?
• What is the recommended formula for the nose radius R2 for a median opening?
• Which table in the AASHTO Green Book provides information on swept path widths for 90-degree left turns?
• According to AASHTO guidelines, what section provides information on islands?
• What does saturation flow rate take into account?
• What do you calculate when provided with flow rate or velocity and pressure drop?
• Where can you find expectations for compound curves?
• How is the term 'capacity' distinguished from 'saturation flow rate'?
• What is the significance of the traffic signal cycle length?
• Transportation modeling primarily consists of how many steps?
• What equation provides information on crown or tangent runout, Lt?
• What characteristics are used to evaluate whether a pavement should be rehabilitated?
• In highway design, what type of distance is associated with a safe transition during overtaking maneuvers?
• What approach does the Performance Prediction Model in M-E PDG use to predict distress parameters?
• What is the maximum allowable running slope of a ramp in new construction?
• At what speed is it generally impractical to design a compound curve?
• Which chapter and table in the AASHTO Green Book provides details on vehicle sizes?
• The Froude number is used to determine the classification of what?
• Where can you find the segment accident rate calculation?
• In fluid mechanics, what does a larger Reynolds number typically indicate?
• What does the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test measure?
• What is the term used to describe the depth of uniform flow?
• What is the maximum allowable cross slope for ADA compliant ramps?
• In transportation engineering, which section in the AASHTO Green Book discusses median openings?
• If the Froude number is greater than 1, what type of flow is present?
• According to AASHTO, what is the assumed perception-reaction time for drivers?
• During pavement evaluation, what does skid resistance indicate?
• What is described as an overcrossing in transportation infrastructure?
• What does a higher coefficient in Manning's equation indicate?
• What safety-related aspect does the AASHTO Safety Manual primarily focus on?
• Which book provides guidelines for the proper specifications of traffic control devices?
• If given pipe parameters such as diameter, length, roughness, and pressure drop, what are you calculating?
• What is the correct order of the main steps in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design method?
• Under what conditions should the platoon adjusted condition for walkways be used?
• What type of distress is commonly measured in rigid pavement assessments?
• Which section addresses maximum recommended superelevation rates in the AASHTO Green Book?
• What is the preferred cycle length option to promote a feeling of movement for drivers?
• Which type of soil is typically worst at handling frost heave?
• In the context of traffic engineering, what does AASHTO stand for?
• What does K factor represent in traffic volume studies?
• What laboratory test is used for determining permeability of fine-grained soils?
• Minimum green time for pedestrian signals is influenced by what factor?
• What is one of the benefits of designing complete streets?
• High plasticity clay is classified as which type?
• What term refers to losses that occur due to fittings, bends, and other components in a pipeline?
• What aspect does level of service (LOS) assess in traffic conditions?
• What does the term 'lost time' refer to in traffic signal management?
• What is the definition of speed in transportation terms?
• Which AASHTO guide section provides information on clear zones?
• Which characteristic is true for uniform flow?
• Which of the following is NOT a method for calculating friction losses?
• Which of the following is a requirement for road signs?
• When designing roadside safety, what is often prioritized over standard aesthetics?
• How does time mean speed differ from space mean speed?
• What is the typical width of a shared path?
• Which book provides guidelines on the conservation of momentum?
• The larger the roughness coefficient of the Manning "n" value indicates what about the flow velocity?
• Where can you find information about braking/skidding distance?
• What is the function of an overhead in transportation contexts?
• What does DHV stand for in traffic analysis?
• How is pace defined in relation to speed?
• For which testing method is boring typically not necessary?
• Which equation discusses horizontal sight distance in relation to stopping sight distance on horizontal curves?
• Which of the following types of operations adjusts signal timing based on real-time traffic conditions?
• Which type of pavement is punchout distress primarily associated with?
• In soil mechanics, what does the term 'consistency limits' refer to?
• Which of the following is a typical walking speed of a pedestrian in feet per minute?
• Where can you find intersection traffic movements and numbering schemes?
• What does head loss equal to?
• Which document contains channelizing device spacing regulations?
• What is a Shelby tube used for?
• What is the minimum cross slope allowed for ramps?
• What does an increase in the degree of saturation indicate in the context of soil compaction?
• What do intensity-duration-frequency curves primarily relate to?
• How can the rainfall at any place be described?
• What does the friction slope represent in fluid mechanics?
• What is the minimum visibility distance for a portable change message sign (PCMS)?
• How is the term 'pavement structure' primarily defined in the context of highway engineering?
• What does BFFS stand for in transportation metrics?
• What is the maximum cross slope allowed for ramps?
• In the Law of Sines for a triangle, which statement is true?
• Where can you find in situ tests for subsurface investigations?
• Which soil grouping is least likely to present embankment and settlement problems?
• Where would you find information regarding roundabouts in the context of traffic engineering?
• Which flow condition leads to a consistent flow path with streamlined motion?
• What is the primary use of the data collected during subsurface exploration?
• Which factors influence soil settlement and embankment problems the most?
• What is the significance of measuring passenger cars (pc) in traffic analysis?
• How many psi is equivalent to 1 ft. of H2O?
• What is the recommended minimum interchange spacing in urban areas?
• Which AASHTO Green Book table includes information about stopping sight distance?
• Which of the following is an application for disturbed soil samples?
• Which publication provides information on stopping sight distance and passing sight distance?
• Where can one find post spacing guidelines?
• In the context of culvert design, what does higher friction loss imply?
• Which sight distance is specifically related to the distance needed to stop a vehicle safely?
• What equation in the AASHTO Green Book provides information on SSD related to horizontal curves?
• In roadway design, what do vertical clearance calculations help ascertain?
• In which publication is rigid pavement design presented?
• What equation is used to calculate the intersection accident rate, R?
• Where can different traffic conditions for road widening be found?
• Disturbed soil samples can be used for which of the following analyses?
• For horizontal sight offset (HSO), the radius R is measured from which point?
• What is the primary focus of Chapter 9 in the AASHTO Green Book?
• Where can you find information regarding sight distance for railroad crossings?
• Low plasticity clay (CL) is commonly referred to as?
• Which table in the MUTCD is associated with warning type signs?
• The empirical method or model described in M-E PDG is specifically referred to as which model?
• Which book contains information on superelevation and ramps?
• The Energy Grade Line (EGL) is equivalent to which of the following?
• How is the percentage of sand in a soil sample calculated?
• What is meant by 'lost time' in traffic signal operations?
• How is the equation for saturation flow, s, expressed?
• Which table in the AASHTO Green Book details stopping sight distance (SSD)?
• Which of the following factors influence the free-flow speed of a basic freeway segment?
• What is the assumed deceleration rate according to the AASHTO Green Book?
• Why is the driver's eye height for large trucks specifically cited in roadway design standards?
• What is the default speed for a walking pedestrian in feet per second?
• Which method is least effective in addressing postconstruction settlement of highly compressible clay soils?
• Can an undisturbed soil sample be used to find the strength of soil?
• What information is essential for soil type classification?
• Which sampler is best for obtaining undisturbed soil samples?
• What is the correct sequence of sight distances starting from the least critical?
• What is the main purpose of boring holes in geotechnical exploration?
• Where can you find regulatory type sign information, including designation and size?
• Which of the following is not a characteristic of uniform flow?
• What is the primary function of the Highway Capacity Manual?
• Where can one find the hydraulic elements graph for circular pipes?
• What type of movements does split phasing serve?
• What is the primary function of the K factor in traffic analysis?
• The pavement response model in M-E PDG employs which method to calculate stress and strain parameters?
• In which manual can you find axle load equivalency factors for flexible pavement?
• What does the term "void ratio" refer to in soil mechanics?
• Where would you find information on pedestrian service time?
• What instruments can be used to measure field compaction?
• Which book and table should be referenced for the advance placement of warning signs?
• Where can you find information about auxiliary lanes at intersections according to AASHTO?
• Which term is utilized to describe the distance a driver needs to recognize a potential hazard?
• What equation provides information on crash (accident) modification factors?
• What is the rule of thumb for minimum interchange spacing in rural areas?
• To find storage lengths for the 50th percentile in traffic engineering, which table would you refer to in the AASHTO Green Book?
• What factor does NOT contribute to the condition evaluation of pavements for rehabilitation?
• What does a direct runoff hydrograph result from?
• What page in AASHTO 1993 contains information about the structural number, SN?
• In the context of fluid mechanics, what defines steady flow?
• What type of pressure is referenced in closed conduit problems?
• What does the 50th percentile speed represent?
• Where can you find drainage coefficients and moisture exposure percentages for pavement structures?
• Maximum relative gradient, delta, for tangent runout and superelevation runoff is found in which section?
• In turbulent flow, which chart is utilized to determine the friction factor (f)?
• According to AASHTO guidelines, sight distance along horizontal curves is detailed in which chapter?
• Which of the following parameters is not required in the Rational method to calculate the peak flow?
• What is the distinction of gradually varied flow?
• In the Free Flow Speed equation, what does TRD stand for?
• What effect does a larger Manning "n" value have on water flow?
• In traffic studies, what does the variable 'D' typically represent?
• Which factor is considered in calculating the saturation flow rate?
• In which book can you find information regarding pedestrian off-street facilities?
• What is defined as non-uniform flow?
• What is the formula for calculating effective rainfall?
• What does effective green, g, represent in interrupted flow conditions?
• What does Free Flow Speed (FFS) indicate?
• The Kn factor in the Uniform Flow Section Factor is what value?
• The process of dynamic compaction is primarily used to achieve __________ in granular soil?
• What is the primary use of the 85th percentile speed?
• What does crashworthiness refer to?
• Which guide describes the method for determining axle load equivalency factors?
• In which manual can the intersection accident rate, R, be found?
• What two speed percentiles are considered the most important?
• What section in the AASHTO Green Book addresses spiral curves?
• The postconstruction settlement of compressible clayey soil can be achieved by which method?
• When calculating vertical clearance, which points are crucial to consider?
• What types of losses are included in the head loss calculation for a culvert?
• Which book discusses access control in detail?
• In terms of roadside safety, what does the term 'fixed objects' refer to?
• What statistical measure is used to represent the speeds of the observed data set?
• Which tables in the AASHTO Green Book are used to determine widening on horizontal curves?
• Where can you find the adjustment factors for saturation flow rate at signalized intersections?
• What is saturation flow?
• In which book and chapter would you find information about urban street segments?
• For minimum turning paths, which figures in the AASHTO Green Book should be referenced?
• When are oversized signs typically used?
• What type of road conditions does the AASHTO Green Book mostly address in terms of visibility?
• Which type of traffic assignment is characterized by the distribution of trips throughout a network based on travel time?
• Which book provides information on traffic signal operations?
• Which chapter contains information on intersection geometry in the AASHTO Green Book?
• At stop-controlled intersections, how far from the edge of the major road's traveled way should the vertex of the departure sight triangle on the minor road be?
• What factors influence the volume of runoff in a drainage area?
• If the flow in the culvert is critical, what can be inferred about the Froude number?
• If given pipe parameters and flow or velocity, what are you calculating?
• Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) adds which component to determine the Energy Grade Line?
• What is the primary goal of a complete street?
• What is indicated by a high degree of saturation in soil?
• What vehicle characteristics influenced the change in testing standards from NCHRP Report 350 to MASH?
• What is the effective width in relation to object width when determining sidewalk dimensions?
• Which type of roundabout is noted for giving the best performance according to traffic engineering standards?
• Where can the predictive model equation be located?
• What does the term 'flw' represent in the Free Flow Speed equation?
• Which method is best suited for obtaining an undisturbed clay sample?
• According to AASHTO, what is the recommended K factor percentage for urban areas?
• What is the assumed height of a driver's eye above the pavement?
• Which tables will you use to find storage length for the 85th percentile?
• What does the equation for Design Hourly Volume (DHV) include?
• Which of the following is true about ramp design in ADA compliance?
• Where can you find the equation for shift taper lengths in traffic engineering?
• Which table in the AASHTO Green Book contains information about roundabouts?
• What is the main feature of rapidly varied flow?
• According to AASHTO guidelines, which tables are referenced for determining when a left turn (bay) lane is warranted?
• What aspect of transportation safety does the AASHTO Green Book primarily aim to enhance?
• Which table in the MUTCD addresses the placement of warning signs?
• What is the standard reference for speed percentiles and speed limits?
• What factor determines if the flow is turbulent or laminar?
• A partially saturated soil is also known as which of the following?
• What defines the effective unit weight of a soil?
• According to Darcy's Law, how is discharge velocity related to the hydraulic gradient in saturated soils?
• How is the central angle related to the deflection angle?
• How many types of sight distances are recognized in roadway design?
• What is a benefit of roundabout design compared to traditional intersections?
• Which type of signal operation involves a fixed cycle regardless of traffic?
• What type of sample is needed for consolidation testing of clay?
• What is the primary reference to find pedestrian Level of Service (LOS) score?
• What is defined as the capacity of an intersection approach?
• What are the four temporary traffic control zones?
• In a standard proctor test, what is the mold volume?
• What is the primary focus of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design method?
• What is the term for the time required by a raindrop from the hydraulically most remote point to reach the outlet of a drainage basin?
• What is the defining aspect of subcritical flow?
• What is the advantage of using a Shelby tube?
• In AASHTO guidelines, what does the “SN” stand for?
• What defines an undercrossing in transportation infrastructure?
• Which soil type is most suitable for use as an embankment shell?
• Which soils are best at handling frost heave?
• Which level offers the most accuracy and least uncertainty in geotechnical mechanical property inputs using the Mechanistic-Empirical Method?
• Which guide provides instructions on calculating the structural number (SN)?
• What equation is used to determine the percentage of gravel in a soil sample?
• A culvert that lowers a channel conveyance typically results in which outcome?
• Which method is commonly used to analyze soil grain size distribution?
• What is the section number for stopping sight distance in the AASHTO Green Book?
• In which exhibit can you find typical cycle lengths?
• In which section of the AASHTO Green Book can you find information on decision sight distance (DSD)?
• What is the submerged (buoyant) unit weight of soil?
• What is the relationship between the deflection angle and the central angle?
• What is hydraulic radius equal to?
• What is the maximum depth of water allowed in a clear zone?
• Which document covers grade separation for bridges and roadways?
• What is the objective of using high visibility retro-reflective materials for signs?
• A negative gauge pressure in fluid indicates what?
• Where can you find the capacity of base (perfect) conditions for traffic?
• Where can the installation height and lateral offsets for signs be found?
• What does split phasing refer to in traffic control?
• What does the Directional Design Hour Volume (DDHV) equation calculate?
• What flow situation is characterized by consistent flow parameters at a specific section with no variations over time?
• A low blow count during an SPT might suggest which of the following?
• What is the degree of saturation when the void space in a soil sample consists of 0% air and 100% water?
• For temporary traffic control zone signs, which table in the MUTCD should be referred to?
• Where would you typically find Manning's equation referenced?
• What is the maximum capacity of a sidewalk in pedestrians per minute per foot?
• At what flow level does maximum flow in a circular pipe occur?
• What factor is crucial in determining the geometric design of transportation corridors?
• What does the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test determine?
• What section and equation in the AASHTO Green Book discuss superelevation?
• Which publication provides the cumulative growth factor and its equation?
• What is the minimum width of a bike lane for a road without curb and gutter?
• When calculating friction loss for laminar flow, which formula should be used?
• Which of the following is not a type of traffic assignment?
• What is required for sign legibility according to the standards?
• Where can effective widths for sidewalks be found?
• What does the volume-to-capacity ratio indicate in traffic engineering?
• Which of the following can Manning's equation be used to calculate in open channel flow?
• Which criteria must be met for sign placement according to MUTCD?
• What does the saturation flow rate represent?
• What are the four primary steps involved in transportation modeling?
• How should a bike lane be delineated from motor vehicle travel lanes?
• Where would you find the design chart for flexible pavements based on mean values?
• How does the specific gravity of solid change during the compaction process?
• What is the maximum ratio allowable between a flatter radius and a sharper radius of compound curves?
• What does capacity measure in traffic engineering?
• What is the effect of moisture on moist unit weight during soil compaction?
• What is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level?
• What is the primary measurement obtained from the Standard Penetration Test (SPT)?
• What effect does compaction have on soil density?
• What type of soil sample is typically used for grain-size analysis and specific gravity determination?
• Where do you find spacing for chevron or curve signs?
• Which AASHTO guide and table specifies when a median barrier is required?
• What is the effect of increasing lane width on Free Flow Speed?
• Which table in the AASHTO Green Book provides desirable lane change and deceleration distances for auxiliary lanes?
• Which factor influences the friction factor?
• Dynamic compaction is primarily effective for densifying which type of soil deposits?
• Which chapter of the AASHTO guide discusses superelevation?
• Which roundabout configuration is noted for giving the worst performance?
• What term is used for the recommended lane width in a typical intersection scenario according to AASHTO?
• What is the minimum width of a bike lane for a road with curb and gutter?
• According to guidelines, how high above the pavement is the driver's eye for large trucks assumed to be?
• Which book includes the segment accident rate, R?
• What is the minimum letter height on a portable change message sign (PCMS)?
• In which manual can the safety performance functions be found?
• What is the typical startup lost time at an intersection?
• At which type of location is platoon adjusted condition most commonly applied?
• When using a Sheep's foot roller on clay soil, which parameter decreases?
• What is the maximum slope for recoverable fore-slopes according to standards?
• What is the average speed of a pedestrian?
• Where can information on crest vertical curves be found?
• Subsurface exploration is necessary for which of the following purposes?
• Why is the degree of saturation important in traffic flow analysis?
• How many hours need to be sought on a K-Value vs. AADT graph?
• Which book provides the required structural number (SN)?
• When applying the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design process, which of the following is established first?
• The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design approach relies on which key input?
• What is the primary reason for providing a recovery area near roadways?
• Where can one find the probability of storm frequency in reference materials?
• What does R2 in median design represent?
• Which type of cracking is primarily influenced by repeated loading and stress concentration?
• Which equation describes the platoon ratio, Rp?
• How frequently do high-intensity storms occur?
• How is average spot speed related to time mean speed?
• What is the maximum rise for a ramp run in inches?
• During a Standard Penetration Test (SPT), unusually low blow counts in a medium-dense to dense sand foundation may indicate which of the following conditions?
• The Reynolds number is primarily used to classify which types of flow?
• What does Lr in relation to superelevation runoff refer to?
• As the duration of a storm increases, what happens to rainfall intensity?
• Which of the following is NOT true about the cause of alligator cracking?
• Can a disturbed soil sample be used to find the strength of soil?
• The process of altering the engineering properties of in situ or borrowed soil is referred to as what?
• Which section in AASHTO Green Book provides guidelines for channelization?
• What is described as unsteady flow?
• What is the primary purpose of a clear zone?
• What is the purpose of the Shelby tube in field compaction measurement?
• What is the effective length for a sidewalk relative to the object's effective width?
• What is a typical feature of a median according to AASHTO standards?
• What is the breakpoint for multi-lane highways regarding passenger cars?
• What factors does the coefficient of permeability (k) depend on?
• What is the equation number for Free Flow Speed (FFS) - Basic Freeway found in the HCM?
• What is the focus of Sec. 3.3.8.2.1 in the AASHTO Green Book?
• What book is recommended for information on channelization in transportation engineering?
• Which structure allows passage of a highway under a railroad?
• Which type of signal operation is activated by detected vehicles on a side road?
• In which document can you find information on warranting traffic signals?
• What equation is used to find the superelevation runoff length, Lr?
• For effective soil management, which clay behavior is preferred?