2/18/2024

Transportation Depth
Problem Solving session 8
2-20-24

Problem 1
To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements:
Choose appropriate choice(s):
1. Has orange color with retroreflective strips
2. Fulfill a need
3. Command attention
4. Convey a clear, simple meaning
5. Command respect from road users
6. Give adequate time for proper response
7. Use same legend to be understood by all drivers
8. Must be breakaway when struck to prevent injuries

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Problem 2
A 30” size of the attached sign is posted on a county
road where the posted speed limit is 50 mph.
How far in advance of the bridge the sign should be
placed if a recommended speed of 20 mph is
advised?
A) 125 ft
B) 175 ft
C) 250 ft
D) 275 ft

Problem 3
The intersection of Oak Ave and Riley street is being studied for a warrant analysis. The intersection has the
following characteristics:
Oak Ave speed = 40 mph
Riley St speed = 35 mph
Volumes for both streets are given in the table:

Time Oak Ave Riley St Riley St

(total vol) SB vol NB vol

11 am 660 50 84
12 pm 600 110 100
1pm 650 100 90
2pm 675 120 80 Select the true statement:
a) Intersection meets Warrant 1
3pm 975 74 45 b) Intersection meets Warrants 2 and 3
4pm 907 110 119 c) Intersection does not meet any warrant
5pm 980 70 220 d) Intersection meets Warrants 1, 2 and 3
EET
6pm 900 80 280

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Problem 4
An intersection is shown below. The stop line on the minor street (one lane in each direction) is
located a distance of 105 ft from the near-side rail. The hourly volume on the major street (total of
both approaches) is 200 vph. What is the minimum approach volume on the minor street, for which
this intersection meets the signalization warrant, given that 7 trains use the tracks daily and 18% of the
traffic approaching the intersection on the minor street are SUT trucks?
a) 69
b) 76
c) 93 Major
Street
d) 99 Minor Street

105 ft

Problem 5
The one-lane approach to a signalized intersection has a 30 sec green time, 3-sec
clearance time including Red clearance, and 100-sec cycle. The saturation
headway is 3.0 sec/veh. The start-up lost time is 2 sec per phase and the clearance
loss is 1 sec per phase. The capacity (veh/hr) of this approach movement is most
nearly:
A) 360
B) 460
C) 660
D) 860

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Problem 6
I)Which type of warning signs should we place at the location shown below?
A)W4-1R
B)W4-3L
C)W4-3R
D)W4-1L

II) The above sign is posted on a

multilane highway. What should the size
of the sign be? ?

A) 30” x 30”
B) 30” x 36”
C) 36” x 36”
D) 48” x 48”

Problem 7
When used, red raised pavement markers shall delineate:

A) One-way roadways, ramps, or travel lanes that should be travelled with caution.
B) One-way roadways, ramps, or travel lanes that shall not be entered or used in the
direction from which the markers are visible.
C) The separation of two-way left-turn lanes and reversible lanes from other lanes.
D) The separation of traffic traveling in opposite directions

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Problem 8

A rural roadway with a design speed of 55 mph is posted for 45 mph. Drivers
encounter a W3-2 Warning sign. The minimum distance from the intersection
where the above sign should be located informing drivers of the changing condition,
in feet, is most nearly:

A) 175 ft
B) 325 ft
C) 775 ft
D) 990 ft

Problem 9
The minimum letter height for messages on a portable changeable message sign
mounted on a service patrol truck or other incident response vehicle is allowed
as:
a) 10”
b) 12”
c) 15”
d) 18”

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Problem 10
In the following TTC diagram showing construction work in
the shoulder, with minor encroachment into the vehicular
travel way, what is the total distance from the
“Right Shoulder Closed” sign to the beginning of the Buffer
Space on this Urban road, in feet? The posted speed limit 12’ 10’

is 45 mph. To the nearest:

A) 430
Distance
B) 500
A
C) 530
D) 680

Problem 11
According to the MUTCD, which of the following are allowable colors for pavement markings?
I- Yellow
II- White
III – Red
IV – Blue
V – Purple

a) I and II
b) I, II, III
c) I, II, III, IV
d) I, II, III, IV, V

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Problem 12
The peak hour volumes for the various approaches of the attached intersection are shown. Use a yellow change + red
change interval of 4 sec and assume lost time per phase is 3 sec. Saturation flows are given in the table.

Phase Lane group Saturation Flow

(veh/hr/ln)
A 1 Exclusive left turn 1615
2 Through 1800 C
3 Shared thru and right turn movements 1725
B 1 Exclusive left turn 1615
2 Through 1800
3 Shared thru and right turn movements 1725
C 1 Exclusive left turn 1615 A B
2 Through 1800
3 Shared thru and right turn movements 1725
D 1 Exclusive left turn 1615
2 Through 1800
3 Shared thru and right turn movements 1725
D
Using the Webster method, determine an appropriate:
I- Cycle Length (sec):
a) 95 b)105 c)110 d)115
II) Actual displayed green time for phase D (sec) PHF = 0.95
a) 18.5 b) 22.5 c)26.5 d) 33

Problem 13
What are the overall width x height dimensions of a large one-direction
arrow sign on a conventional road?
A) 24” x 36”
B) 24” x 48”
C) 48” x 36”
D) 48” x 24”

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Problem 14
Fill in the gap: according to MUTCD, -------------- signs should be installed at
these points around the outside of the curve?
for the exit ramp…

Practice 2
A 4-leg intersection needs a 2-phase fixed-time traffic signal. The critical flows
in: the N-S direction is 840 vph
the E-W direction is 480 vph
The saturation flow on N-S approach is 1800 vph and 1600 vph for the E-W
approach . The lost time per phase is measured to be 4.5 seconds. There is no
pedestrian flow at the intersection.
Phase 1 is serving all movements in the N-S direction
Phase 2 is serving all movements in the E-W direction
If the amber time is assumed to be 4 seconds for each phase
1- The optimum cycle length is most nearly:
a) 70 b) 80 c) 85 d) 90
2- Provide timing for both phases based on cycle length found in part 1.
a) 39 & 24 b) 43 & 28 c) 47 & 32 d) 51 & 36

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Solution-Practice 2
Critical flows and degree of saturation:
Phase 1 (N/S) Phase 2 (E/W)
Flow ( vij) 840 480
Saturation (sj) 1800 1600
yi = vij/sj 0.467 0.300
Sum: vij/sj = Yi = 0.767
Total Lost Time L = 4.5 x 2 = 9.0 seconds
1)
1.5 ( Li )  5 1.5(9)  5
Co    79.40 sec   Say 80 sec onds
1.0   Yi 1  0.767 Answer is b.

2)Total effective green: g = 80 sec – 9.0 = 71 sec

yi
Effective Green time for each phase: (g)
Yi
For phase 1: 0.467
(71)  43 sec
0.767
For phase 2: 0.300
(71)  28 sec Answer is b
0.767