250+ TOP MCQs on Road Characteristics – 2 and Answers

Traffic Engineering Interview Questions and Answers for freshers on “Road Characteristics – 2”.

1. A Spiral transition curve has a varying radius.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The above statement, “A Spiral transition curve has a varying radius” is true. It starts with its radius at infinity and then ends at the radius of the circular curve.

2. If the degree of curvature is higher then the curve is ______
a) sharper
b) flatter
c) vertical
d) elliptical
Answer: a
Clarification: If the degree of curvature is higher then the curve is sharper. The severity of the circular horizontal curve is Degree of curvature.

3. What is the maximum side slope of cut and fill section where sandy soil is predominant?
a) 1:2
b) 3:1
c) 6:1
d) 10:1
Answer: c
Clarification: The maximum side slope of cut and fill section where sandy soil is predominant is 6:1. 3:1 is the maximum side slope of cut and fill section for the safe functioning of maintenance and mowing actions.

4. What is the maximum superelevation in snowy areas?
a) 5%
b) 6%
c) 3%
d) 8%
Answer: d
Clarification: The maximum superelevation in snowy areas is 8%. Superelevation is the total rise of roadway from edge to edge span of the roadway.

5. The value of side-friction factor varies with ______
a) design speed
b) superelevation
c) skidding
d) overturning
Answer: a
Clarification: The value of side friction varies with design speed. Side-friction factor also represents frictional forces that can be easily accomplished.

6. In how many stages does the transition from a tangent section to super-elevated horizontal curve takes place?
a) 3
b) 2
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: b
Clarification: In 2 stages, the transition from a tangent section to super-elevated horizontal curve takes place. Tangent runoff and superelevation runoff are the two stages of transition.

7. Length of the transition curve is the maximum of length due to _____
a) centrifugal force, superelevation, and empirical
b) centrifugal force, superelevation, and tangent
c) superelevation, centripetal, and empirical
d) superelevation, centripetal, and design speed
Answer: a
Clarification: Length of transition curve is the maximum of length due to centrifugal force, superelevation, and empirical. Transition curve is the horizontal curve provided between straight alignment to a circular curve for a smooth transition.

8. Which one of the following is not an advantage of spiral transition?
a) Easy path for drivers to follow
b) Aesthetics
c) Agreeable arrangement of superelevation runoff
d) Less delay
Answer: d
Clarification: Less delay is not an advantage of spiral transition. Easy path for drivers to follow, aesthetics, and agreeable arrangement of superelevation runoff are the advantages of spiral transition.

9. The distance from the centreline of the inside lane to the nearest roadside sight blockage is called.
a) Length of curve
b) Apex
c) Mid-ordinate
d) Tangent
Answer: c
Clarification: The distance from the centreline of the inside lane to the nearest roadside sight blockage is called Mid-ordinate. The formula for mid-ordinate is,
M = R(1-cos θ/2)
where, M = mid-ordinate
R = radius of curvature
θ = angle of deflection.

10. What are the two types of vertical curves?
a) Crest and sag
b) Crest and plume
c) Sag and sink
d) Sink and fall
Answer: a
Clarification: The two types of vertical curves are crest and sag. Crest, as the name suggests, is a vertical curve having its entry tangent grade greater than the exit tangent grade. While sag has its entry tangent grade smaller than its exit tangent grade.

11. What is the mid-ordinate of a curve with a radius of curvature 2m and angle of deflection = 60°?
a) 0.342
b) 0.268
c) 0.112
d) 0.245
Answer: b
Clarification: M = R(1-cos θ/2)
where, M = mid-ordinate
R = radius of curvature
θ = angle of deflection
M = R(1-cos θ/2) = 2(1-cos60/2) = 0.268 m.

12. The sight distance in a sag vertical curve is limited by which factor given below during night time driving condition?
a) Design speed
b) Driver’s height
c) Headlamp range
d) Ruling speed
Answer: c
Clarification: The sight distance in a sag vertical curve is limited by Headlamp range during night time driving condition. Sight distance is the length visible to the driver while travelling on the road.

13. Broken-back grade lines should be provided where ever practicable.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: “Broken-back grade lines should be provided where ever practicable” is a false statement. Broken-back grade lines should be avoided where ever practicable. Broken-back grade lines are two consecutive vertical curves in the same orientation parted by a short tangent section.

14. Which of the following is not a feature of cross-section elements of a highway?
a) Shoulders
b) Side slopes
c) Curbs
d) Signal
Answer: d
Clarification: Signal is not a feature of cross-section elements of a highway. Shoulders, side slopes, curbs, guardrails, and drainage channels are some of the features of a cross-sectional element of a highway.

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