Category: Traffic Engineering Objective Questions

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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250+ TOP MCQs on Basic Freeway Capacity and Answers

Traffic Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Basic Freeway Capacity”.

1. Which one of the following is an interrupted facility?
a) Traffic signal
b) Stop sign
c) Yield sign
d) Basic freeway
Answer: d
Clarification: Basic freeway is an interrupted facility. Traffic signal, stop sign an yield sign are external devices which partially interrupts the flow. Some of the interrupted facilities are weaving sections, ramps, and unidirectional multilane highways.

2. Freeway has which magnitude as the measure of effectiveness?
a) Density
b) Speed
c) Capacity
d) Delay
Answer: a
Clarification: Freeway has a density as the measure of effectiveness. Multi-lane and two-way highways have speed/delay as the measure of effectiveness.

3. What is a basic freeway segment?
a) The section between two ramps which is unaffected by weaving and diverging maneuvers
b) The section between three ramps which is unaffected by weaving and diverging maneuvers
c) The section between two ramps which is affected by weaving and diverging maneuvers
d) The section between three ramps which is affected by weaving and diverging maneuvers
Answer: a
Clarification: Basic freeway segment is the section between two ramps which is unaffected by weaving and diverging maneuvers. The ramps are either entrance or exit. In a basic freeway, the traffic flow is steady.

4. In how many steps is the freeway capacity determined?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
Answer: c
Clarification: The freeway capacity determined in 3 steps and they are theoretical capacity, prevailing capacity, and level of service and design service rate.

5. Basic or theoretical capacity under ideal traffic and environmental conditions can be determined by the concept that the _____
a) flow rate equals time divided by time headway; time headway equals distance divided by speed
b) flow rate equals time multiplied to time headway; time headway equals distance divided by speed
c) flow rate equals time multiplied to time headway; time headway equals distance multiplied to speed
d) flow rate equals time added to time headway; time headway equals distance divided by speed
Answer: a
Clarification: Basic or theoretical capacity under ideal traffic and environmental conditions can be determined by the concept that the flow rate equals time divided by time headway; time headway equals distance divided by speed.

6. How is basic capacity determined by prevailing capacity?
a) Repeated observation of maximum traffic flow under peak conditions
b) Repeated observation of minimum traffic flow under peak conditions
c) Repeated observation of minimum traffic flow under ideal conditions
d) Repeated observation of maximum traffic flow under ideal conditions
Answer: d
Clarification: The basic capacity is determined by prevailing capacity by repeated observation of maximum traffic flow under ideal traffic and environmental conditions. The capacity of a segment of freeway working under no ideal conditions will have capacity less than the basic capacity.

250+ TOP MCQs on Accident Studies and Answers

Traffic Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Accident Studies – 1”.

1. Which of the following is not an objective of accident studies?
a) To evaluate existing design
b) To compute the financial losses incurred
c) To study the root cause of accidents and propose corrective measures at potential location
d) To collect data regarding parking demand

Answer: d
Clarification: To collect data regarding parking demand is not an objective of accident studies. To evaluate existing design, to compute the financial losses incurred, to study the root cause of accidents and propose corrective measures at potential location are some of the objectives of accident studies.

2. What is the first step in the accident study?
a) Accident data collection
b) Accident investigation
c) Accident data analysis
d) Accident reconstruction

Answer: a
Clarification: The first step in the accident study is accident data collection. This data collection is generally done by the police. Motorists accident reports are considered secondary data.

3. Which of the following information does not require an accident data collection report?
a) Identification of spots at which unusually high number of accident happen
b) Development of a method that allows identification of risks before accidents occur
c) Comprehensive functional assessment of critical accident location to identify the causes of accidents
d) Development of parking areas

Answer: d
Clarification: Development of parking areas does not require accident data collection report. Identification of spots at which unusually high number of accident happen, development of a method that allows identification of risks before accidents occur, and comprehensive functional assessment of critical accident location to identify the causes of accidents are some of the information that requires accident data collection report.

4. The development of different statistical measures of various accident-related factors gives insight into which of the following factors?
a) Causes of accidents
b) Location of points at which unusually high number of accident takes place
c) Identification of hazards
d) Driver profiles

Answer: d
Clarification: The development of different statistical measures of various accident-related factors gives insight into driver profiles. It also gives insight into general trends and common casual factors.

5. Which of the following parameters given below is not required in accident data collection?
a) Registration number
b) Details of road geometry
c) Financial losses suffered due to property damage
d) Sight distance

Answer: d
Clarification: Sight distance is the parameter that is not required in an accident data collection report. Registration number, details of road geometry, and financial losses suffered due to property damage are some of the parameters that is required in an accident data collection report.

6. Which of the following are the methods of reporting in accident studies?
a) Motorist accident report
b) Car accident report
c) Road accident report
d) Highway accident report

Answer: a
Clarification: A motorist accident report is a method required for reporting in an accident study. The motorist accident report is filed by the motorist involved in the accident. Another method, police accident report is also used for reporting.

7. A police accident report is filed by _________
a) attendant police officer
b) motorist involved in the accident
c) witnesses of the accident
d) relatives of the motorists involved in the accident

Answer: a
Clarification: A police accident report is filed by an attendant police officer. This report includes fatal accidents that require emergency or hospital treatment or which have suffered massive property damage.

8. Which of the following procedure of accident data collection involves obtaining information such as measurement of skid marks?
a) At Scene-Investigation
b) Reporting
c) Technical Preparation
d) Cause Analysis

Answer: a
Clarification: At Scene-Investigation is the procedure of accident data collection that involves obtaining information such as measurement of skid marks. It also gives information regarding the photograph of the final position of vehicles, the examination of the condition and functioning of traffic control devices, and examination of damage of vehicles.

9. In which procedure determination of critical and design speed for curves is done?
a) At Scene-Investigation
b) Reporting
c) Technical Preparation
d) Cause Analysis

Answer: c
Clarification: Technical Preparation is the procedure in which the determination of critical and design speed for curves is done. This procedure is required for planning and interpretation of the study. It also involves measurement of grades and sight distance.

10. In which of the following procedure accident reconstruction is involved?
a) At Scene-Investigation
b) Reporting
c) Technical Preparation
d) Professional Reconstruction

Answer: d
Clarification: In professional reconstruction process accident reconstruction is involved. In this step, attempt is made to determine from the data available on how the accident occurs from the accessible data.

11. What is the purpose of Accident data analysis?
a) To find possible causes of accident-related to driver, vehicle, and roadway
b) To evaluate existing design
c) To compute the financial losses incurred
d) To collect data regarding parking demand

Answer: a
Clarification: The purpose of Accident data analysis is to find possible causes of accident-related to driver, vehicle, and roadway. Accident analyses are made to develop information such as drivers, pedestrians, vehicle, and roadway.

12. Why is it important to compute accident rates?
a) Because it reflects accident involvement by type of highway
b) Because it reflects accident involvement by type of drivers
c) Because it reflects accident involvement by type of pedestrians
d) Because it reflects accident involvement by type of design conditions

Answer: a
Clarification: It is important to compute accident rates because it reflects accident involvement by type of highway. These rates compare the safety of different highway and street systems and traffic controls.

250+ TOP MCQs on Types of Traffic Studies and Answers

Traffic Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Types of Traffic Studies”.

1. The number of vehicles crossing a section of road in a unit time at any selected period is called ____________
a) Traffic volume study
b) Traffic density study
c) Traffic mass study
d) Traffic characteristic study
Answer: a
Clarification: The number of vehicles crossing a section of road in a unit time at any selected period is called Traffic volume study. Its unit is vehicles/hr or vehicles/day.

2. Speed studies are conducted for what primary purpose?
a) Traffic census
b) Safety
c) Quality of service
d) Planning
Answer: b
Clarification: Speed studies are conducted primarily for safety purpose. Speed characteristics are needed to be assessed from time to time for safety concerns. New speed limits are set if the current one is not viable.

3. Demand-forecasting model is based on which traffic studies?
a) Speed studies
b) Traffic volume study
c) Travel time studies
d) Accident studies
Answer: c
Clarification: Demand-forecasting model is based on Travel time studies. Travel time along sections of highways comprises of a major measure of the quality of service to users.

4. Total parking demand is determined by which traffic study?
a) Accident studies
b) Traffic volume study
c) Travel time studies
d) Parking studies
Answer: d
Clarification: Total parking demand is determined by Parking studies type of traffic study. Several counting methodologies are used to determine the parking need of people. Interview studies are done to see how parking facilities are used.

5. Which traffic study records the existing truck loading facilities and transit system?
a) Goods movement and Transit studies
b) Parking studies
c) Traffic volume studies
d) Travel time studies
Answer: a
Clarification: Goods movement and Transit studies record the existing truck loading facilities and transit system. It is a significant factor of congestion, proper planning, and operation policies.

6. Which traffic study uses traffic models to analyze traffic?
a) Traffic volume studies
b) Calibration studies
c) Parking studies
d) Accident studies
Answer: b
Clarification: Calibration studies use traffic models to analyze traffic. Studies are done to calibrate key values in models to guarantee that they depict the conditions in real-life traffic.

7. Which traffic study studies the effectiveness of various traffic control devices?
a) Calibration studies
b) Observation studies
c) Parking studies
d) Traffic volume studies
Answer: b
Clarification: Observation studies the effectiveness of various traffic control devices. It assesses the design of the control devices and studies how it is implemented. It helps evaluate control measures.

8. The time lost by traffic due to traffic friction and traffic control devices is called _____
a) Delay
b) Green time
c) Red time
d) Setback time
Answer: a
Clarification: The time lost by traffic due to traffic friction and traffic control devices is called delay. Delay is the added time spent by the drivers against their presumption.

9. The delay caused by the intervention by other components of traffic is called __________
a) Operational delay
b) Fixed delay
c) Stopped delay
d) Approach delay
Answer: a
Clarification: The delay caused by the intervention by other components of traffic is called Operational delay. Some examples of this delay are, time lost due to parking manoeuvres, pedestrians, and turning movement.

10. Traffic islands are used to increase the length of the crossing.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Traffic islands are used to decrease the length of the crossing. This is done so for the safe crossing of pedestrians and easy flow of traffic.

11. What is the difference between the actual time required to cross a section of a road and the time taken corresponding to the average speed of traffic under free-flow condition called?
a) Travel time delay
b) Congestion delay
c) Stopped Delay
d) Approach Delay
Answer: a
Clarification: The difference between the actual time required to cross a section of road and the time taken corresponding to the average speed of traffic under free-flow condition is called Travel time delay. Travel time delay comprises of acceleration delay, deceleration delay, and stopped delay.

250+ TOP MCQs on Two Lane Highway Capacity and Answers

Traffic Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Two Lane Highway Capacity”.

1. Two-lane highways have which factor as the MoE (measure of effectiveness)?
a) Density
b) Capacity
c) PCU
d) Speed/delay
Answer: d
Clarification: Two-lane highways have speed/delay as the MoE (measure of effectiveness). Multi-lane highways too have speed/delay as the MoE. Freeways have density as the MoE.

2. Two-lane highways are classified into how many classes for the purpose of analysis?
a) 1
b) 3
c) 2
d) 4
Answer: c
Clarification: Two-lane highways are classified into 2 classes for the purpose of analysis. They are class-I and class-II. Class-I facilities mostly serve long-distance trips while class-II facilities mostly serve short-distance trips.

3. What is a major consideration in class-I highways?
a) Density
b) Delay
c) Speed
d) Distance
Answer: c
Clarification: Speed is a major consideration in class-I highways. This is so because in class-I highways motorists are expected to travel at high speeds.

4. Which type of roads does class-I include?
a) Major inter-city roads
b) Village roads
c) Districts roads
d) Streets
Answer: a
Clarification: Major inter-city roads are the type of roads that are included in class-I. This is so because the speeds are relatively higher in major inter-city roads.

5. In which class of two-lane highway does motorists not travel at high speeds?
a) Class I
b) Class II
c) Class III
d) Class IV
Answer: b
Clarification: In class II of two-lane highway motorists do not travel at high speeds. This type of roads are generally access routes to class I facilities. They are not primary arterials.

6. Which class of two-lane highway serves as scenic or recreational routes?
a) Class I
b) Class II
c) Class III
d) Class IV
Answer: b
Clarification: Class II of two-lane highway serves as scenic or recreational routes. In these types of road, motorists do not travel at high speeds relatively. Speed is not a primary consideration in this roadway.

7. Class II of two-lane highway is a short trip.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement, “Class II of two lane highway is a short trip” is a true statement. In these types of roadway, sightseeing plays an important role. They are the beginning or end portion of a longer trip.

8. In which terms is LOS defined in class I highways?
a) Only percentage time spent following
b) Only average travel time
c) Percentage time spent following and average travel time
d) PCU
Answer: c
Clarification: LOS is defined in terms of percentage time spent following and average travel time in class I highways. In class I facilities the speed is relatively higher.

9. In which terms is LOS defined in class II highways?
a) Only percentage time spent following
b) Only average travel time
c) Percentage time spent following and average travel time
d) PCU
Answer: a
Clarification: LOS is defined in terms of percentage time spent following in class II highways. Average travel time is not considered. In class II facilities the speed is relatively higher. Mobility is critical in class II highways.

250+ TOP MCQs on Accident Studies – 2 and Answers

Traffic Engineering Interview Questions on “Accident Studies – 2”.

1. Which step in the accident investigation helps to determine how the accident occurs?
a) Professional Reconstruction
b) At Scene-Investigation
c) Technical Preparation
d) Cause Analysis

Answer: a
Clarification: Professional Reconstruction is the step in the accident investigation that helps us to determine how the accident occurs from the available data. It is also referred to as determining behavioural or causes of accident.

2. Analysis of accident reconstruction studies is done by which of the following step in the accident investigation?
a) Professional Reconstruction
b) At Scene-Investigation
c) Technical Preparation
d) Cause Analysis

Answer: d
Clarification: Analysis of accident reconstruction studies is done by Cause Analysis. It is done to determine why the accident occurred from the data available.

3. The total accident hazard is expressed as ______
a) accident Rate per Kilometer
b) accident involvement Rate
c) death rate based on population
d) death rate based on registration

Answer: a
Clarification: The total accident hazard is expressed as Accident Rate per Kilometer. It is the number of accidents of all types per km of a highway and street classification.
R=A/L, where, R = total accident rate per km for a year, A = total number of accident occurring in one year, L = length of control section in kms

4. Numbers of drivers of vehicles with specific characteristics who were participants in accidents per 100 million vehicle-kms of travel is known as ______
a) Accident Rate per Kilometer
b) Accident involvement Rate
c) Death rate based on population
d) Death rate based on registration

Answer: b
Clarification: Numbers of drivers of vehicles with specific characteristics who were participants in accidents per 100 million vehicle-kms of travel is known as Accident involvement Rate. Accident involvement Rate, R = N x 100000000/V here, R = accident per 100 million vehicle-kms of travel, N = total number of drivers involved in accidents and V = vehicle-kms of travel on road section during the period of investigation

5. The traffic hazard to life in a community is expressed as _____
a) accident Rate per Kilometer
b) accident involvement Rate
c) death rate based on population
d) death rate based on registration

Answer: c
Clarification: The traffic hazard to life in a community is expressed as Death rate based on population. Death rate based on population of the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 populations.

6. Which rate reflects the accident exposure for an entire area?
a) Death rate based on population
b) Accident Rate per Kilometer
c) Accident Rate based on vehicle-kms of travel
d) Accident involvement Rate

Answer: a
Clarification: The rate which reflects the accident exposure for an entire area is Death rate based on population. It is the traffic hazard to life in a community.
R = B x 100000/P, here, R = death rate per 100,000 population, B = total number of traffic death in one year and P = population of area

7. The rate which reflects the accident exposure for the entire area and is similar to death rate based on population is _______
a) death rate based on population
b) death rate based on registration
c) accident Rate based on vehicle-kms of travel
d) accident involvement Rate

Answer: b
Clarification: The rate that reflects the accident exposure for the entire area and is similar to death rate based on population is Death rate based on registration.
R = B x 10000/M, here, R = death rate per 10,000 vehicles registered, B = total number of deaths in traffic in a year and M = number of motor vehicles listed in the area.

8. The accident hazard is expressed as ______
a) death rate based on population
b) death rate based on registration
c) accident Rate based on vehicle-kms of travel
d) accident involvement Rate

Answer: c
Clarification: The accident hazard is expressed as Accident Rate based on vehicle-kms of travel. The Accident Rate based on vehicle-kms of travel is the number of accidents per 100 million vehicle km of travel.

9. Accident reconstruction helps in ______
a) controlling or imposing rules to control or check movement of vehicles on road at high speed
b) to organize and interpret the study
c) to determine why the accident occurred
d) obtain information at the scene

Answer: c
Clarification: Accident reconstruction helps in controlling or imposing rules to control or inspect movement of vehicles on road at high speed. It deals with representing the accidents occurred in schematic diagram to determine the speed before the collision.

10. The data which is not required to determine the pre-collision speed is ________
a) mass of the vehicle
b) velocities after collision
c) path of a vehicle as it proceeds towards collision point
d) road width

Answer: d
Clarification: Road width is not required to determine the pre-collision speed. Mass of the vehicle, velocities after the collision, and path of each vehicle as it approaches collision point are the datas required to determine the pre-collision speed.

11. What is a collision diagram?
a) Schematic diagram of the collision of two vehicles that occur during turning movements
b) Schematic graph of collision of two vehicles
c) Schematic diagram of collision of three vehicles occur during turning movements
d) Schematic graph of collision at turning movements

Answer: a
Clarification: A collision diagram is the schematic diagram of the collision of two vehicles that occur during turning movements. A collision is represented by a set of arrows to show the orientation of before and after movement.

12. Poisson impact theory divides impact into how many parts?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

Answer: a
Clarification: Poisson impact theory divides impact into 2 parts and they are compression and restitution. The compression phase in this theory is cited by the deformation of the cars. It follows Newton’s law F = ma.