ATSSA PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Recovery Area for errant vehicles: Forgiving design
Protects workers and Motorists
Always completely empty or clear
No vehicles, truck-mounted attenuator, equipment, or materials
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: unless there is a documented reason not
to. Answer: Longitudinal Buffer Space
▶ Where road users are returned to their normal path
extends from the downstream end of the work area to the last device such
as end work zone sign
May contain:
end work zone sign: usually 500' past last device
downstream taper = 50'-100' per lane. Answer: Termination Area is:
can contain: (2)
▶ 100'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: Urban
(low speed)
▶ 350'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: urban
(high speed)
▶ 500'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: Rural
▶ 1000', 1500', and 2640'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning
Sign Spaceing: freeways and expressways (3)
▶ 1 Mile
50%
shoulder at beginning of taper if possible, if not, as close to beginning as
possible inside taper.. Answer: Arrow board visibility distance by design:
night time dimming:
, location:
▶ taper: not to exceed distance in feet = to posted speed limit
tangent: distance = double posted speed limit. Answer: device spacing
taper:
tangent:
▶ A: Low intensity flashing
B: High-intensity flashing
C: Steady Burn
D: 360° steady burn. Answer: Warning lights types:
Type A:
Type B:
Type C:
Type D:
▶ Uses for portable changeable message sign PCMS. Answer: speed
drops
significant delays
adverse conditions
advance notice of closures
advance notice of road changes
reinforce static signage
updated guidance information
placed 500'-800' ahead of workzone conflicts or 1.5-2 miles ahead of
complex traffic control
▶ uses of screens (mounted on top of rail). Answer: limit distractions and
discourage rubbernecking
reduce headlight glare from oncoming traffic
reduce floodlight glare from night work
should not be mounted where they reduce motirist visibility and sight
distance
▶ 125' 245' 540' 660' 780'. Answer: Distance of L with 12' Lane Width for:\
25, 35, 45, 55, 65 MPH
▶ Moved outside the clear zone or be shielded by barrier or crash cushion
placed on the shoulder or further from the traveled lane
DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Recovery Area for errant vehicles: Forgiving design
Protects workers and Motorists
Always completely empty or clear
No vehicles, truck-mounted attenuator, equipment, or materials
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: unless there is a documented reason not
to. Answer: Longitudinal Buffer Space
▶ Where road users are returned to their normal path
extends from the downstream end of the work area to the last device such
as end work zone sign
May contain:
end work zone sign: usually 500' past last device
downstream taper = 50'-100' per lane. Answer: Termination Area is:
can contain: (2)
▶ 100'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: Urban
(low speed)
▶ 350'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: urban
(high speed)
▶ 500'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning Sign Spaceing: Rural
▶ 1000', 1500', and 2640'. Answer: Recommended Advanced Warning
Sign Spaceing: freeways and expressways (3)
▶ 1 Mile
50%
shoulder at beginning of taper if possible, if not, as close to beginning as
possible inside taper.. Answer: Arrow board visibility distance by design:
night time dimming:
, location:
▶ taper: not to exceed distance in feet = to posted speed limit
tangent: distance = double posted speed limit. Answer: device spacing
taper:
tangent:
▶ A: Low intensity flashing
B: High-intensity flashing
C: Steady Burn
D: 360° steady burn. Answer: Warning lights types:
Type A:
Type B:
Type C:
Type D:
▶ Uses for portable changeable message sign PCMS. Answer: speed
drops
significant delays
adverse conditions
advance notice of closures
advance notice of road changes
reinforce static signage
updated guidance information
placed 500'-800' ahead of workzone conflicts or 1.5-2 miles ahead of
complex traffic control
▶ uses of screens (mounted on top of rail). Answer: limit distractions and
discourage rubbernecking
reduce headlight glare from oncoming traffic
reduce floodlight glare from night work
should not be mounted where they reduce motirist visibility and sight
distance
▶ 125' 245' 540' 660' 780'. Answer: Distance of L with 12' Lane Width for:\
25, 35, 45, 55, 65 MPH
▶ Moved outside the clear zone or be shielded by barrier or crash cushion
placed on the shoulder or further from the traveled lane
