IMSA Traffic Signal Technician II Exam
– 2025/2026 Update | Verified Questions
& Answers
Topic 1: Traffic Signal Design
Key Concepts Summary
● Design Principles: Based on MUTCD (2009, 2025 amendments) for visibility, MUTCD
Section 4D. Phasing minimizes conflicts (e.g., protected left turns for high-volume
intersections).
● Phasing Types: Protected (green arrow), permitted (yield), flashing (caution). 8-phase
max for standard intersections.
● Timing Formulas: Cycle length = sum of phase greens + yellows + all-reds. Minimum
green = 7–10 sec (pedestrian).
● Detection Design: Loop detectors (inductance change), video (image processing).
Placement: 40–80 ft stop bar for vehicles.
● 2025 Update : EVSE integration (FHWA 2025) requires signal preemption for charging
stations near intersections.
Quick-Reference Table: Phasing Configurations
Intersection Type Phases Example
Basic 4-way 2 (opposing through) + 2 (lefts) 4 phases
Protected Lefts 8 phases (4 through + 4 lefts) High-volume urban
Practice Questions (20 Qs)
Q1. An intersection with four through phases and four left turn phases is considered how many
phases together?
A) 4 phases
B) 6 phases
C) 8 phases
D) 12 phases
,Answer: C
Rationale : C is correct — Each through and left is a separate phase, totaling 8 (IMSA TSTL2
Manual, Ch. 3). A incorrect — Too few. B incorrect — Omits lefts. D incorrect — Includes
overlaps.
Q2. The minimum green time for a vehicle phase is typically:
A) 3–5 seconds
B) 7–10 seconds
C) 15–20 seconds
D) 25 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale : B is correct — Allows safe startup (MUTCD 4D.26, 2025 amendment). A incorrect
— Too short. C incorrect — For pedestrians. D incorrect — Excessive.
Q3. In traffic signal design, the purpose of an all-red clearance interval is to:
A) Provide pedestrian crossing time
B) Clear the intersection of conflicting vehicles
C) Extend yellow phase
D) B
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Prevents collisions (FHWA Timing Manual 2025). A incorrect —
Separate. C incorrect — Preceding.
Q4. Loop detector placement for advance detection is typically:
A) 5–10 ft from stop bar
B) 40–80 ft from stop bar
C) 100+ ft
D) B
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Allows early detection (NEMA TS2, 2025). A incorrect — Stop bar.
C incorrect — Queue detection.
Q5. Protected left turns are required when opposing volume exceeds:
A) 200 vph
B) 500 vph
C) 100 vph
D) 300 vph
Answer: B
Rationale : B is correct — High conflict (MUTCD 4D.21). A/C/D — Permitted sufficient.
Q6. Cycle length for a typical urban intersection is:
, A) 30–60 seconds
B) 60–120 seconds
C) 120–180 seconds
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Balances delay (IMSA Ch. 4). B incorrect — Oversaturated. C
incorrect — Rare.
Q7. Pedestrian phase timing is based on:
A) Walking speed 3.5 ft/s, 4 ft/s crossing
B) 2.5 ft/s
C) 5 ft/s
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — MUTCD 4E.06 (2025). B incorrect — Elderly. C incorrect — Too
fast.
Q8. In design, a flashing yellow arrow (FYA) is used for:
A) Permitted left turns
B) Protected lefts
C) Pedestrian
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Indicates yield (MUTCD 4D.23). B incorrect — Green arrow. C
incorrect — Walking person.
Q9. Video detection advantages over loops:
A) No pavement cut
B) Weather sensitive
C) A
Answer: A
Rationale : A is correct — Non-invasive (FHWA 2025). B incorrect — Disadvantage.
Q10. Minimum yellow change interval:
A) 3 seconds
B) 5 seconds
C) 1 second
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Perception-reaction time (IMSA Ch. 4). B incorrect — With all-red.
– 2025/2026 Update | Verified Questions
& Answers
Topic 1: Traffic Signal Design
Key Concepts Summary
● Design Principles: Based on MUTCD (2009, 2025 amendments) for visibility, MUTCD
Section 4D. Phasing minimizes conflicts (e.g., protected left turns for high-volume
intersections).
● Phasing Types: Protected (green arrow), permitted (yield), flashing (caution). 8-phase
max for standard intersections.
● Timing Formulas: Cycle length = sum of phase greens + yellows + all-reds. Minimum
green = 7–10 sec (pedestrian).
● Detection Design: Loop detectors (inductance change), video (image processing).
Placement: 40–80 ft stop bar for vehicles.
● 2025 Update : EVSE integration (FHWA 2025) requires signal preemption for charging
stations near intersections.
Quick-Reference Table: Phasing Configurations
Intersection Type Phases Example
Basic 4-way 2 (opposing through) + 2 (lefts) 4 phases
Protected Lefts 8 phases (4 through + 4 lefts) High-volume urban
Practice Questions (20 Qs)
Q1. An intersection with four through phases and four left turn phases is considered how many
phases together?
A) 4 phases
B) 6 phases
C) 8 phases
D) 12 phases
,Answer: C
Rationale : C is correct — Each through and left is a separate phase, totaling 8 (IMSA TSTL2
Manual, Ch. 3). A incorrect — Too few. B incorrect — Omits lefts. D incorrect — Includes
overlaps.
Q2. The minimum green time for a vehicle phase is typically:
A) 3–5 seconds
B) 7–10 seconds
C) 15–20 seconds
D) 25 seconds
Answer: B
Rationale : B is correct — Allows safe startup (MUTCD 4D.26, 2025 amendment). A incorrect
— Too short. C incorrect — For pedestrians. D incorrect — Excessive.
Q3. In traffic signal design, the purpose of an all-red clearance interval is to:
A) Provide pedestrian crossing time
B) Clear the intersection of conflicting vehicles
C) Extend yellow phase
D) B
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Prevents collisions (FHWA Timing Manual 2025). A incorrect —
Separate. C incorrect — Preceding.
Q4. Loop detector placement for advance detection is typically:
A) 5–10 ft from stop bar
B) 40–80 ft from stop bar
C) 100+ ft
D) B
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Allows early detection (NEMA TS2, 2025). A incorrect — Stop bar.
C incorrect — Queue detection.
Q5. Protected left turns are required when opposing volume exceeds:
A) 200 vph
B) 500 vph
C) 100 vph
D) 300 vph
Answer: B
Rationale : B is correct — High conflict (MUTCD 4D.21). A/C/D — Permitted sufficient.
Q6. Cycle length for a typical urban intersection is:
, A) 30–60 seconds
B) 60–120 seconds
C) 120–180 seconds
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Balances delay (IMSA Ch. 4). B incorrect — Oversaturated. C
incorrect — Rare.
Q7. Pedestrian phase timing is based on:
A) Walking speed 3.5 ft/s, 4 ft/s crossing
B) 2.5 ft/s
C) 5 ft/s
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — MUTCD 4E.06 (2025). B incorrect — Elderly. C incorrect — Too
fast.
Q8. In design, a flashing yellow arrow (FYA) is used for:
A) Permitted left turns
B) Protected lefts
C) Pedestrian
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Indicates yield (MUTCD 4D.23). B incorrect — Green arrow. C
incorrect — Walking person.
Q9. Video detection advantages over loops:
A) No pavement cut
B) Weather sensitive
C) A
Answer: A
Rationale : A is correct — Non-invasive (FHWA 2025). B incorrect — Disadvantage.
Q10. Minimum yellow change interval:
A) 3 seconds
B) 5 seconds
C) 1 second
D) A
Answer: D
Rationale : D is correct — Perception-reaction time (IMSA Ch. 4). B incorrect — With all-red.
