ARE 5.0 PDD EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED EDITION
|GRADED A+
Question 1
Site design: bldg location/improvements
Correct answer
All bldgs disrupt drainage. Accommadate increased runoff. Positive drainage away from
bldgs.
Question 2
Site design: drainage types
Correct answer
Above ground or below ground. Above: pervious paving, sheet flow, gutters, swales,
channels, and runoffs. Below: perforated drains, enclosed storm sewers to city lines or to
natural feature
Question 3
Site design: paving
Correct answer
Minimum site paving to be 1.5% above ground. Below ground 0.3%
Question 4
Site design: underground items
Correct answer
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,Storm drains collect water from roof downspouts, drain inlets, catch basins, and drain
tiles. Drain inlet: opening in ground covered w/ metal grate. Catch basin: underground
reservoir that has a sump built into it, debris settles so it doesn't clog piping. Large storm
sewer systems must have manholes. Storm separate from sanitary
Question 5
Site design: drainage system requirements
Correct answer
Based on size of area to be drained, runoff coefficient, and amount of water to be drained
during most severe storm. Common to use 25 year storm. If runoff exceeds utilities a
holding pond may be built, collects water to release at controlled rate.
Question 6
Utilities
Correct answer
Can include: sanitary, storm, water, gas, electricity, steam, telephone, internet, cable.
Sanitary/storm take precedence b/c they need gravity to flow. More flexibility in routing
and location where gravity doesn't matter.
Question 7
Utilities: sewers
Correct answer
Min slope is 0.5% to 2.0% depending on pipe size. Greater slope for smaller pipes.
Question 8
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Vehicles: circulation
Correct answer
Roads should be wide enough for two vehicles to pass min. Curves gradual and follow
topo so no blind curves. Provide driect access to parking and bldg w/o excessive drives,
turnarounds, dead ends, or conflicts.
Question 9
Vehicles: design
Correct answer
Road should not be perpendicular to slope unless slope is gentle. Should slightly cross the
slope to minimize grade. Max slope for road 15.0% 10% or less is preferable.
Question 10
Pedestrian circulation
Correct answer
Convenient, direct access to points on site. Sidewalks provide access to points on site.
Collector walks next to parking to travel from car to separate walks. Min 6 feet wide when
adjacent to parking. No more than 1/4" slope for ada.
Question 11
Service access
Correct answer
Keep separate from vehicle circ. Give space for large truck turnaround/back up. Provide
clearances if enclosed.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027 UPDATED EDITION
|GRADED A+
Question 1
Site design: bldg location/improvements
Correct answer
All bldgs disrupt drainage. Accommadate increased runoff. Positive drainage away from
bldgs.
Question 2
Site design: drainage types
Correct answer
Above ground or below ground. Above: pervious paving, sheet flow, gutters, swales,
channels, and runoffs. Below: perforated drains, enclosed storm sewers to city lines or to
natural feature
Question 3
Site design: paving
Correct answer
Minimum site paving to be 1.5% above ground. Below ground 0.3%
Question 4
Site design: underground items
Correct answer
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,Storm drains collect water from roof downspouts, drain inlets, catch basins, and drain
tiles. Drain inlet: opening in ground covered w/ metal grate. Catch basin: underground
reservoir that has a sump built into it, debris settles so it doesn't clog piping. Large storm
sewer systems must have manholes. Storm separate from sanitary
Question 5
Site design: drainage system requirements
Correct answer
Based on size of area to be drained, runoff coefficient, and amount of water to be drained
during most severe storm. Common to use 25 year storm. If runoff exceeds utilities a
holding pond may be built, collects water to release at controlled rate.
Question 6
Utilities
Correct answer
Can include: sanitary, storm, water, gas, electricity, steam, telephone, internet, cable.
Sanitary/storm take precedence b/c they need gravity to flow. More flexibility in routing
and location where gravity doesn't matter.
Question 7
Utilities: sewers
Correct answer
Min slope is 0.5% to 2.0% depending on pipe size. Greater slope for smaller pipes.
Question 8
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Vehicles: circulation
Correct answer
Roads should be wide enough for two vehicles to pass min. Curves gradual and follow
topo so no blind curves. Provide driect access to parking and bldg w/o excessive drives,
turnarounds, dead ends, or conflicts.
Question 9
Vehicles: design
Correct answer
Road should not be perpendicular to slope unless slope is gentle. Should slightly cross the
slope to minimize grade. Max slope for road 15.0% 10% or less is preferable.
Question 10
Pedestrian circulation
Correct answer
Convenient, direct access to points on site. Sidewalks provide access to points on site.
Collector walks next to parking to travel from car to separate walks. Min 6 feet wide when
adjacent to parking. No more than 1/4" slope for ada.
Question 11
Service access
Correct answer
Keep separate from vehicle circ. Give space for large truck turnaround/back up. Provide
clearances if enclosed.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
