NICET Highway Construction Inspector Level III
Question 1
During installation of traffic loops in the pavement, which three statements
apply prior to and during the installation of loop wire? (Choose 3).
A) Do not allow vehicular traffic over an open saw cut.
B) Do not overlap saw cuts at the corner.
C) Thoroughly clean the saw cut of foreign material.
D) Use a plastic sleeve where loop wire crosses a joint.
Correct Answer: A) Do not allow vehicular traffic over an open saw
cut. C) Thoroughly clean the saw cut of foreign material. D) Use a
plastic sleeve where loop wire crosses a joint.
Rationale: Allowing traffic over open saw cuts can damage the cut
and introduce foreign material. Cleaning the saw cut is crucial for
proper sealant adhesion and loop performance. Plastic sleeves
protect the wire from movement and abrasion at pavement joints.
Question 2
The contractor is installing a culvert with a 12-inch reinforced concrete pipe
(outside diameter of 16.50 inches) from Sta 10+00, 40 feet Left to STA
10+00, 65 feet Right on 4-inch bedding material. The 12-inch RCP outlet is to
be installed at Sta 10+00, 40 feet Left at an invert elevation of 652.50. If the
conduit is installed at a 1.40% slope, what is the elevation of the foundation
grade at Sta 10+00, 45 feet Right?
A) 652.04
B) 653.17
C) 653.36
D) 653.50
Correct Answer: D) 653.50
Rationale: The total length of the culvert is 40 ft (Left) + 65 ft (Right)
= 105 ft. The outlet invert is 652.50. The slope is 1.40%, meaning a
rise of 1.40 feet per 100 feet. The total change in invert elevation
over 105 feet is (1.40/100) * 105 = 1.47 feet. The invert elevation at
,Sta 10+00, 65 feet Right (the inlet) is 652.50 + 1.47 = 653.97. The
foundation grade is 4 inches (0.33 feet) below the invert. Therefore,
the foundation grade at the inlet is 653.97 - 0.33 = 653.64. Re-
calculating for 45 feet right: The distance from the outlet (40' left)
to 45' right is 40' + 45' = 85 feet. The invert elevation at 45' right is
652.50 + (1.40/100 * 85) = 652.50 + 1.19 = 653.69. The foundation
grade (bedding material) is 4 inches (0.33 feet) below the invert.
So, 653.69 - 0.33 = 653.36.
Question 3
On the reservoir side of a dam, erosion protection against wave action should
extend up the slope to at least which level?
A) crest of dam
B) maximum water elevation
C) minimum water elevation
D) two-thirds the height of the dam
Correct Answer: B) maximum water elevation
Rationale: Erosion protection is critical to safeguard the dam from
wave action. This protection must extend to at least the maximum
anticipated water elevation to prevent damage during high water
periods.
Question 4
During stage construction while installing drainage, the contractor must
complete which two of the following tasks? (Choose two).
A) Bulk head the pipe until the system is complete.
B) Complete the entire system before it rains.
C) Maintain the existing drainage system until the new system is functional.
D) Provide temporary connections as needed to maintain the existing
system.
Correct Answer: C) Maintain the existing drainage system until the
,new system is functional. D) Provide temporary connections as
needed to maintain the existing system.
Rationale: During stage construction, it is critical to ensure
continuous drainage. This involves maintaining the existing
system's functionality and providing temporary connections to
manage water flow until the new drainage system is fully
operational.
Question 5
After flushing but before connecting a new main to the existing system, what
test does an inspector need to verify before placing the main into service?
A) bacteriological testing
B) cover testing
C) deflection testing
D) pressure testing
Correct Answer: D) pressure testing
Rationale: After flushing and before connecting a new main, pressure
testing is essential to ensure the integrity of the pipe and its joints
and to detect any leaks under operating pressure.
Question 6
Which three types of inspections are completed for sign structures? (Choose
three).
A) final inspection
B) interim inspection
C) initial inspection
D) routine inspection
Correct Answer: B) interim inspection, C) initial inspection, D) routine
inspection
Rationale: Initial, routine, and interim inspections are standard
practices for sign structures to monitor their condition, identify
damage, and ensure ongoing safety and functionality.
, Question 7
How many times per foot should loop lead-in wires be twisted?
A) 3 turns per foot
B) 5 turns per foot
C) 6 turns per foot
D) 7 turns per foot
Correct Answer: B) 5 turns per foot
Rationale: Twisting loop lead-in wires at a rate of 5 turns per foot
helps to minimize electromagnetic interference and ensure proper
signal transmission for traffic detection loops.
Question 8
Which phrase is true of test reports required for concrete sidewalks, asphalt
pavement, concrete curb, and pipe culverts for rest areas?
A) 50% required on roadway contracts
B) required for federal-aid projects only
C) same as roadway contracts
D) submitted in duplicate
Correct Answer: C) same as roadway contracts
Rationale: The quality control and acceptance criteria, including
required test reports, for materials used in rest areas (like concrete
sidewalks, asphalt pavement, concrete curb, and pipe culverts) are
generally the same as those for materials used in mainline roadway
contracts to ensure consistent quality and durability.
Question 9
According to FP-14, when removing existing concrete structure in the
roadbed, how many inches below the subgrade elevation should the existing
structure be removed to?
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 30 inches
Question 1
During installation of traffic loops in the pavement, which three statements
apply prior to and during the installation of loop wire? (Choose 3).
A) Do not allow vehicular traffic over an open saw cut.
B) Do not overlap saw cuts at the corner.
C) Thoroughly clean the saw cut of foreign material.
D) Use a plastic sleeve where loop wire crosses a joint.
Correct Answer: A) Do not allow vehicular traffic over an open saw
cut. C) Thoroughly clean the saw cut of foreign material. D) Use a
plastic sleeve where loop wire crosses a joint.
Rationale: Allowing traffic over open saw cuts can damage the cut
and introduce foreign material. Cleaning the saw cut is crucial for
proper sealant adhesion and loop performance. Plastic sleeves
protect the wire from movement and abrasion at pavement joints.
Question 2
The contractor is installing a culvert with a 12-inch reinforced concrete pipe
(outside diameter of 16.50 inches) from Sta 10+00, 40 feet Left to STA
10+00, 65 feet Right on 4-inch bedding material. The 12-inch RCP outlet is to
be installed at Sta 10+00, 40 feet Left at an invert elevation of 652.50. If the
conduit is installed at a 1.40% slope, what is the elevation of the foundation
grade at Sta 10+00, 45 feet Right?
A) 652.04
B) 653.17
C) 653.36
D) 653.50
Correct Answer: D) 653.50
Rationale: The total length of the culvert is 40 ft (Left) + 65 ft (Right)
= 105 ft. The outlet invert is 652.50. The slope is 1.40%, meaning a
rise of 1.40 feet per 100 feet. The total change in invert elevation
over 105 feet is (1.40/100) * 105 = 1.47 feet. The invert elevation at
,Sta 10+00, 65 feet Right (the inlet) is 652.50 + 1.47 = 653.97. The
foundation grade is 4 inches (0.33 feet) below the invert. Therefore,
the foundation grade at the inlet is 653.97 - 0.33 = 653.64. Re-
calculating for 45 feet right: The distance from the outlet (40' left)
to 45' right is 40' + 45' = 85 feet. The invert elevation at 45' right is
652.50 + (1.40/100 * 85) = 652.50 + 1.19 = 653.69. The foundation
grade (bedding material) is 4 inches (0.33 feet) below the invert.
So, 653.69 - 0.33 = 653.36.
Question 3
On the reservoir side of a dam, erosion protection against wave action should
extend up the slope to at least which level?
A) crest of dam
B) maximum water elevation
C) minimum water elevation
D) two-thirds the height of the dam
Correct Answer: B) maximum water elevation
Rationale: Erosion protection is critical to safeguard the dam from
wave action. This protection must extend to at least the maximum
anticipated water elevation to prevent damage during high water
periods.
Question 4
During stage construction while installing drainage, the contractor must
complete which two of the following tasks? (Choose two).
A) Bulk head the pipe until the system is complete.
B) Complete the entire system before it rains.
C) Maintain the existing drainage system until the new system is functional.
D) Provide temporary connections as needed to maintain the existing
system.
Correct Answer: C) Maintain the existing drainage system until the
,new system is functional. D) Provide temporary connections as
needed to maintain the existing system.
Rationale: During stage construction, it is critical to ensure
continuous drainage. This involves maintaining the existing
system's functionality and providing temporary connections to
manage water flow until the new drainage system is fully
operational.
Question 5
After flushing but before connecting a new main to the existing system, what
test does an inspector need to verify before placing the main into service?
A) bacteriological testing
B) cover testing
C) deflection testing
D) pressure testing
Correct Answer: D) pressure testing
Rationale: After flushing and before connecting a new main, pressure
testing is essential to ensure the integrity of the pipe and its joints
and to detect any leaks under operating pressure.
Question 6
Which three types of inspections are completed for sign structures? (Choose
three).
A) final inspection
B) interim inspection
C) initial inspection
D) routine inspection
Correct Answer: B) interim inspection, C) initial inspection, D) routine
inspection
Rationale: Initial, routine, and interim inspections are standard
practices for sign structures to monitor their condition, identify
damage, and ensure ongoing safety and functionality.
, Question 7
How many times per foot should loop lead-in wires be twisted?
A) 3 turns per foot
B) 5 turns per foot
C) 6 turns per foot
D) 7 turns per foot
Correct Answer: B) 5 turns per foot
Rationale: Twisting loop lead-in wires at a rate of 5 turns per foot
helps to minimize electromagnetic interference and ensure proper
signal transmission for traffic detection loops.
Question 8
Which phrase is true of test reports required for concrete sidewalks, asphalt
pavement, concrete curb, and pipe culverts for rest areas?
A) 50% required on roadway contracts
B) required for federal-aid projects only
C) same as roadway contracts
D) submitted in duplicate
Correct Answer: C) same as roadway contracts
Rationale: The quality control and acceptance criteria, including
required test reports, for materials used in rest areas (like concrete
sidewalks, asphalt pavement, concrete curb, and pipe culverts) are
generally the same as those for materials used in mainline roadway
contracts to ensure consistent quality and durability.
Question 9
According to FP-14, when removing existing concrete structure in the
roadbed, how many inches below the subgrade elevation should the existing
structure be removed to?
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 30 inches
