DPWH MANUAL (MSTC TERMS -
HIGHWAY ENGINEERING) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The mountable I drop curb - Answer-This type of curb provides less vaulting of the
errant vehicle on impact with the curb, less likelihood of the driver losing control and
less damage to occupants of the vehicles compared to barrier curbs.
Overtaking Lanes - Answer-In flat to rolling terrain, these lanes are used to break up
platoons of traffic and to improve traffic flow over a section of road. A series of such
auxiliary lanes for road. A series of such auxiliary lanes for both directions of traffic can
greatly improve traffic flow and driver satisfaction.
Climbing Lanes - Answer-These can be considered as a special form of overtaking lane
but they are only provided on inclines. These form part of the network of overtaking
opportunities and will therefore have an effect on decisions associated with the location
of other overtaking lanes.
I. Initial diverge taper
II. Auxiliary lane length
III. End or merge taper - Answer-The design of overtaking lanes and climbing lanes
requires the consideration of the:
Diverge Taper - Answer-A taper is required at the start of an auxiliary lane to provide for
the lateral movement of traffic.
Merge Taper - Answer-It is a converging of separate streams into a single stream.
turn-out - Answer-It is a very short section of fully constructed shoulder or added lane
that is provided to allow slow vehicles to pull aside and be overtaken. It differs from an
overtaking lane due to its short length, different signing and that the majority of vehicles
are not encouraged to travel in the right lane.
I. Sand Pile
I. Descending Grade
Ill. Horizontal Grade; and
IV. Ascending Grade. - Answer-Where long steep grades occur, it is desirable to
provide emergency escape ramps. These are to be located to slow or stop an out of
control vehicle away from the main traffic stream. Out of control vehicles result from
drivers losing control of their vehicle. There are four types of escape ramps:
,I. Pavement Markings
II. Signs
III. Guide Posts
IV. Reflective Delineators
V. Lighting
VI. Curb or other physical devices - Answer-Delineation of the road alignment needs to
be considered as part of the design process to ensure that adequate guidance is
provided to rad users. Delineation is generally provided by the use of the following
devices:
I. Unflared and unchannelized intersections (without widening or traffic islands)
II. Flared and unchannelized intersections (with widening but without traffic islands); and
III. Channelized intersections (traffic islands to guide traffic) - Answer-The types of
intersections that generally exist on the road network are:
I. Minimize the speed of vehicles at potential collision points;
II. Separate movements and points of conflict by channelization, or in some situations,
prohibit certain movements (and provide for hem at other intersections along the route);
Ill. Control movements to reduce the possibility of conflict; and
IV. Clearly define vehicle paths by use of pavement markings. - Answer-Principles of
good design to reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents include:
I. Regulatory Signs
II. Traffic signals
Ill. Roundabouts - Answer-Traffic can be controlled at intersections by traffic control
device such as:
Ans.
I. Separate vehicle movements in time. This minimizes conflicts.
II. Minimize delays at an intersection
Ill. Enable vehicles from a side road to cross or enter the major road; and
IV. Assist pedestrians in crossing the road. - Answer-Traffic signals improve safety and
simplify decision making. They also:
I. Minimizing the number of conflict points;
II. Minimizing the area of conflict; Ill. Separating points of conflict
IV. Giving preference to major movements; and
V. Minimizing relative speed of conflicting movements. - Answer-A conflict point occurs
where two travel paths interact or cross. Safe intersection design uses the following
principles:
I. Alignment
II. Road environment
III. Traffic volume and composition
IV. Traffic control devices - Answer-The speed of vehicles through an intersection
depends on:
, I. Choosing a layout where conflicting movements cross at angles less than or equal to
90 degrees;
II. Providing a layout or alignment that slows down approaching vehicles; and
Ill. Providing deceleration lanes. - Answer-Low relative speed conditions at intersections
can be obtained by:
I. Shared turning and through lane
II. Flaring and taper
Ill. Separate lane for deceleration and storage. - Answer-Provision for turning lanes can
generally be provided in the following ways:
I. Guide traffic into defined paths
II. Separate through, turning and opposing traffic movements
Ill. Give advance warning of the intersection to approaching drivers - Answer-A traffic
island is provided with this treatment to:
- Answer-It is one of the safest type of intersection treatments. It consists of a circular
island in the middle of an intersection and traffic moves around it in an anticlockwise
direction.
I. At intersections with high accident rates
II. When physical control of speed is desirable
Ill. When the flows on each approach are balanced and capacity analysis indicates that
volumes can be managed
IV. When the volume of left turners is significant
V. If traffic signals may be inefficient e.g. due to a
large number of phases; and for multi-legged intersections. - Answer-Many factors need
to be taken into consideration when choosing the type of intersection to be provided at a
given location. Roundabouts may be appropriate in the following situations:
I. Excessive speed;
II. Fatigue or inattention
Ill. Alcohol or drugs; or
IV. Road condition - Answer-However, it must be recognized that drivers and riders are
only human and will sometimes make mistakes and lose control of their vehicles. The
reasons that they might lose control are many, for example:
roadside barriers - Answer-They are used to shield errant vehicles to shield errant
vehicles from running into hazards that cannot be relocated or made more frangible.
I. Fore slope or back slope steepness and height;
II. Unforgiving hazards within the clear zone; and
Ill. Water hazards within the clear zone. - Answer-The warrant for the use of safety
barriers can be established considering:
HIGHWAY ENGINEERING) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The mountable I drop curb - Answer-This type of curb provides less vaulting of the
errant vehicle on impact with the curb, less likelihood of the driver losing control and
less damage to occupants of the vehicles compared to barrier curbs.
Overtaking Lanes - Answer-In flat to rolling terrain, these lanes are used to break up
platoons of traffic and to improve traffic flow over a section of road. A series of such
auxiliary lanes for road. A series of such auxiliary lanes for both directions of traffic can
greatly improve traffic flow and driver satisfaction.
Climbing Lanes - Answer-These can be considered as a special form of overtaking lane
but they are only provided on inclines. These form part of the network of overtaking
opportunities and will therefore have an effect on decisions associated with the location
of other overtaking lanes.
I. Initial diverge taper
II. Auxiliary lane length
III. End or merge taper - Answer-The design of overtaking lanes and climbing lanes
requires the consideration of the:
Diverge Taper - Answer-A taper is required at the start of an auxiliary lane to provide for
the lateral movement of traffic.
Merge Taper - Answer-It is a converging of separate streams into a single stream.
turn-out - Answer-It is a very short section of fully constructed shoulder or added lane
that is provided to allow slow vehicles to pull aside and be overtaken. It differs from an
overtaking lane due to its short length, different signing and that the majority of vehicles
are not encouraged to travel in the right lane.
I. Sand Pile
I. Descending Grade
Ill. Horizontal Grade; and
IV. Ascending Grade. - Answer-Where long steep grades occur, it is desirable to
provide emergency escape ramps. These are to be located to slow or stop an out of
control vehicle away from the main traffic stream. Out of control vehicles result from
drivers losing control of their vehicle. There are four types of escape ramps:
,I. Pavement Markings
II. Signs
III. Guide Posts
IV. Reflective Delineators
V. Lighting
VI. Curb or other physical devices - Answer-Delineation of the road alignment needs to
be considered as part of the design process to ensure that adequate guidance is
provided to rad users. Delineation is generally provided by the use of the following
devices:
I. Unflared and unchannelized intersections (without widening or traffic islands)
II. Flared and unchannelized intersections (with widening but without traffic islands); and
III. Channelized intersections (traffic islands to guide traffic) - Answer-The types of
intersections that generally exist on the road network are:
I. Minimize the speed of vehicles at potential collision points;
II. Separate movements and points of conflict by channelization, or in some situations,
prohibit certain movements (and provide for hem at other intersections along the route);
Ill. Control movements to reduce the possibility of conflict; and
IV. Clearly define vehicle paths by use of pavement markings. - Answer-Principles of
good design to reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents include:
I. Regulatory Signs
II. Traffic signals
Ill. Roundabouts - Answer-Traffic can be controlled at intersections by traffic control
device such as:
Ans.
I. Separate vehicle movements in time. This minimizes conflicts.
II. Minimize delays at an intersection
Ill. Enable vehicles from a side road to cross or enter the major road; and
IV. Assist pedestrians in crossing the road. - Answer-Traffic signals improve safety and
simplify decision making. They also:
I. Minimizing the number of conflict points;
II. Minimizing the area of conflict; Ill. Separating points of conflict
IV. Giving preference to major movements; and
V. Minimizing relative speed of conflicting movements. - Answer-A conflict point occurs
where two travel paths interact or cross. Safe intersection design uses the following
principles:
I. Alignment
II. Road environment
III. Traffic volume and composition
IV. Traffic control devices - Answer-The speed of vehicles through an intersection
depends on:
, I. Choosing a layout where conflicting movements cross at angles less than or equal to
90 degrees;
II. Providing a layout or alignment that slows down approaching vehicles; and
Ill. Providing deceleration lanes. - Answer-Low relative speed conditions at intersections
can be obtained by:
I. Shared turning and through lane
II. Flaring and taper
Ill. Separate lane for deceleration and storage. - Answer-Provision for turning lanes can
generally be provided in the following ways:
I. Guide traffic into defined paths
II. Separate through, turning and opposing traffic movements
Ill. Give advance warning of the intersection to approaching drivers - Answer-A traffic
island is provided with this treatment to:
- Answer-It is one of the safest type of intersection treatments. It consists of a circular
island in the middle of an intersection and traffic moves around it in an anticlockwise
direction.
I. At intersections with high accident rates
II. When physical control of speed is desirable
Ill. When the flows on each approach are balanced and capacity analysis indicates that
volumes can be managed
IV. When the volume of left turners is significant
V. If traffic signals may be inefficient e.g. due to a
large number of phases; and for multi-legged intersections. - Answer-Many factors need
to be taken into consideration when choosing the type of intersection to be provided at a
given location. Roundabouts may be appropriate in the following situations:
I. Excessive speed;
II. Fatigue or inattention
Ill. Alcohol or drugs; or
IV. Road condition - Answer-However, it must be recognized that drivers and riders are
only human and will sometimes make mistakes and lose control of their vehicles. The
reasons that they might lose control are many, for example:
roadside barriers - Answer-They are used to shield errant vehicles to shield errant
vehicles from running into hazards that cannot be relocated or made more frangible.
I. Fore slope or back slope steepness and height;
II. Unforgiving hazards within the clear zone; and
Ill. Water hazards within the clear zone. - Answer-The warrant for the use of safety
barriers can be established considering:
