IMSA Traffic Signal Technician Level II Test 1 | (Latest 2025 / 2026 Update) Questions and Verified Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct

IMSA Traffic Signal Technician Level II Test 1 | (Latest 2025 / 2026 Update) Questions and Verified Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct Question: What organization has established requirements for PPE in certain working situations? Answer: OSHA/CCOHS Question: Which of the following certifications must be attained first? Answer: Traffic signal Tech. Level 1 Question: Upgrades or revisions to the traffic signal are the responsibility of whom? Answer: professional engineer Question: What is NOT an example of documentation that can limit the liability of the technician and/or agency? Answer: NTCIP Question: What is the single most important focus that the field technician should have? Answer: safety Question: For many agencies, what is the least amount of technicians required to perform work with an aerial lift? Answer: 2 Question: What is NOT true when it comes to dealing with the public? Answer: If you are unsure of the answer, give them the incorrect information so you can keep working Question: What is NOT a function of a modern traffic signal controller? Answer: Processing when a vehicle has run a red light and informing the police Question: What was a major drawback with the first traffic signal controllers? Answer: Maintaining the mechanical parts Question: When did standardization of controllers become established in the United States and Canada? Answer: 1970s Question: What was limited by the fourth proprietary connector used with the NEMA TS-1? Answer: the type of replacement model Question: Which type of controller utilizes a high speed data channel between all major equipment to maximize the functionality and expandability of the controller assembly? Answer: NEMA TS-2 Type 1 Question: What greatly reduced wire connections in the controller cabinet with the use of the RS-485 with the SDLC? Answer: Bus interface unit Question: What was the intent of developing the ATC specifications? Answer: To have an open architecture hardware and software platform for ITS application Question: Which agency developed a communications protocol for ITS systems, field devices and software so basic functionality should be interchangeable regardless of the manufacturer? Answer: NTCIP Question: Before beginning work that requires workers or vehicles to be in or over the roadway, what should traffic signal field technicians ensure is in place? Answer: Temporary traffic control (TTC) Question: What is NOT a common type of truck used for traffic signal maintenance? Answer: dump truck Question: Traffic signals can be attached to Mast Arms using which of the following? Answer: - disconnect hangers attached to the mast arm which suspend the signal - bracket that is rigidly mounted to the mast arm with a clamping device - pipe mounts that screw into nipples installed directly into the mast arm - ALL of the above all of the above Question: Traffic signal supports are NOT used to display the following items: Answer: advertisements Question: Methods of signal supports include what? Answer: Truss supports, monotube supports, pedestal supports Question: What is NOT an advantage of attaching signals to mast arms with brackets? Answer: allow for the signal to "give" in the wind Question: What are the 2 basic types of booms used on bucket trucks? Answer: articulating and extensible Question: Traffic signals are not always where an aerial lift can be positioned properly. What should you always do when operating aerial lifts? Answer: Use the stabilizers to provide additional support when the lift is in operation Question: Check for proper operating DC voltage, check for the absence of red on a phase that does not have green, yellow, or walk, check on a simultaneous are functions that are provided by both - Answer: CMU and MMU Question: What is the purpose of relays in a traffic signal system? Answer: to transfer the outputs from one component to another Question: What device minimizes the amount of voltage that might be available at a pedestrian push button should the button malfunction? Answer: Isolator Question: Which of the following combinations would cause the signal to enter flashing mode according to NEMA? Answer: green & yellow yellow & red walk & yellow Question: What feature is included in the 170 or 2070 monitors vs. the NEMA monitor? Answer: plug in Question: Which group of features best describes why malfunction monitoring units are more advanced then conflict monitors? Answer: ethernet connections monitoring SDLC communications RS-232 communications port Question: Which type of power supply lines are attached from the power supply (service) inside the power panel? Answer: -120 v, 40 H, single phase, AC+ and AC- - 120 v, 60 H, single phase DC+ and DC- - 120 v, 60 H, single phase AC+ and AC- - 240 v, 60 H, single phase AC+ and AC- 120 v, 60H, single phase, AC+ and AC- Question: What is NOT an improved feature of the NEMA TS-2 power supply, when compared to the NEMA TS-1 power supply? Answer: 24 V DC power for solar panels Question: At what time can a mercury contactor be disposed of in a typical trash collection receptacle? it can never happen Answer: Question: List what is a part of the permanent emergency generator system? Answer: uninterrupted supply of power direct connection to the power supply panel external fuel source Question: What is a direct current (DC)? Answer: an electrical current that has a unidirectional flow of electric charge Question: A transformer/rectifier is used to supply __________ VDC to electronic components? Answer: 24 Question: What type of circuit is the current through each of the components the same? Answer: series Question: Voltage is the electrical driver that moves what type of charged electrons through wires and electrical devices? Answer: negatively charged Question: Lightly to moderately doped semiconductor is referred to as? Answer: extrinsic Question: Which of the following is a 2 terminal device? Answer: diode Question: What is ideal for switching both small and large AC voltages and currents for power control purposes? Answer: TRIAC Question: How much current would flow if a circuit has a voltage of 4 volts and a resistance of 4 ohms? (voltage/resistance = current) Answer: one amp Question: List semiconductor devices? Answer: diodes and transistors SCRs and TRIACs LEDs Question: What is a characteristic that can be applied to a digital multimeter? Answer: automatic ranging of measurements Question: To avoid injury, at what voltage should a current measurement NOT be attempted on an open circuit? Answer: above the rated voltage of the meter Question: Pertaining to multimeter, what does VOM stand for? Answer: volt/ohm meter Question: To make sure that the multimeter does not alter the operation of the circuit when it is used to measure current, the impedance of the meter must be as low as possible. For measurements of around an amp, the resistance of a meter should be what? Answer: less than an ohm Question: When using the multimeter, what step should be completed first? Answer: ensure that the leads are placed in the correct sockets Question: Most electrical codes require how many ohms to ground for electrical service installations? Answer: 25 ohms Question: Resistance of meters used to measure current are normally? Answer: very low Question: What does OTDR mean? Answer: optical time domain reflectometer Question: In what type of controller is the cycle sometimes called a "dial" because a rotating dial is used to control the timing of the various signal displays? Answer: older electromechanical Question: List 2 things that describe the vehicle movement made at an intersection? Answer: direction of approach manuever Question: In usual convention, how are through phases numbered? Answer: in a clockwise direction starting with phase 2 Question: Some agencies refer to a combination of movements as a phase. This is also true in some older controller assemblies that operate with what maximum amount of phases? Answer: 4 Question: When it comes to barriers for dual ring controllers there are _______ barriers, one for leaving ________ street and one for leaving ________ street Answer: 2, major, minor Question: Is this true about an independent overlaps: An independent overlap follows a designated phase Answer: no Question: Parent/child overlaps are the most common type of overlap. The overlap is viewed as the ________ because it is only present when one or more phase is active, which is referred to as the ______ Answer: child, parent Question: This left turn phase is defined as "both modes occur on an approach during the same cycle"? protected/permissive Answer: Question: The yellow-red flashing mode provides the same type of control as a 2 way stop control where only the minor streets have a what? Answer: stop sign Question: In order to ensure fail safe operation , what occurs when a conflict monitor unit (CMU) detects a fault? Answer: the flash transfer relays have all of the signals display red Question: What factors might be included in determining the most appropriate time for an all red clearance? Answer: -type of vehicular traffic - driver characteristics -Pedestrian activity - all the choices are correct all the choices are correct Question: What is the time relationship determined by the difference between a fixed point in the cycle length and a system reference point? Answer: offset Question: What are the components of volume-density signal timings? Answer: gap reduction Question: What are factors of gap reduction allowing for extension/passage time to be reduced? Answer: time to reduce Passage time is a function of: Answer: distance from the stop line to the detector Question: What should be considered when determining yellow interval timings? Answer: formula recommendations from the responsible agency engineering judgement Question: What is developed to provide a degree of consistency that should allow traffic to progress through a number of intersection without stopping? Answer: traffic signal coordination timings Question: Splits are typically programmed as seconds but can also be programmed as what? Answer: % of the cycle length Question: All phases of a coordinated operation with the exception of "hold" phases are terminated by what? Answer: force offs Question: What periods control when and over what time duration the controller is allowed to service coordinated phases? Answer: permissive period Question: Emergency vehicle preemption is designed to do which of the following? Answer: clears vehicles from the travel path of an emergency vehicle prevent other vehicles from entering the path that the emergency vehicle has taking prevents vehicles from blocking the emergency vehicles path Question: What signal indications can be displayed at a railroad crossing? Answer: 3 section head with red, yellow & green indications Question: What does NOT need to be considered for drawbridge preepmtion of a traffic signal? Answer: audible alarms Question: What is NOT a basic component of an optical system? Answer: isolators Question: Transit property operates by providing which of the following scenarios? Answer: green indication is extended to provide additional green time for the transit vehicle Question: Out of pavement (non-intrusive) detection includes which of the following? Answer: microwave video radar Question: With an inductive loop, what energizes the wires placed in the pavement? Answer: loop detector amplifier Question: What is an advantage associated with inductance loops? Answer: maintenance is simplified Question: Why is the installation of inductive loop detectors the most labor intensive type of vehicle detections systems? Answer: - it uses more materials than other types of detection systems -the installation requires many workers -the loop wire must not have any kinks, no breaks in insulation, and have a solid watertight splice to the lead in cable Question: Which type of loop detector offers the greatest range of capabilities? Answer: multiple channel loop detectors Question: _____________ are needed to be adjusted to eliminate any detection irregularities due to interference problems with detectors? Answer: frequency and sensitivity Question: What types of loops are used for traffic count purposes and for coordinating the traffic signal system based upon real-time traffic volumes? Answer: system Question: What is a disadvantage of video imaging detection systems? Answer: maintenance requires advanced technical training Question: Which advanced traffic control environment can distributed architecture NOT provide the necessary performance? Answer: traffic coordinated control Question: What is the common term for a cable that transmits data between controllers and on-street masters/central computers? Answer: hardwire Question: Define POTS Answer: plain old telephone service Question: Which of the following is NOT a dip switch setting? Answer: cycle length Question: What's true about fiber optic cables? Answer: -can transmit data faster than older copper cables -data can be sent sent in both directions are the same time - can be utilized for closed circuit television feeds Question: What is an advantage of single mode fiber optic cable over multi-mode fiber optic cable? Answer: has a higher transmission rate than multi-mode fiber Question: What converts electronic data to and from laser light for transmission? Answer: fiber optic modems Question: What is OTDR Answer: one trial driven reflectometer Question: Limited channel availability, requires line of sight path between antennae, possible interference due to weather is a (disadvantage or advantage) of microwave communications system Answer: disadvantage Question: Why is maintenance documentation so important? Answer: - to prevent litigation -historical database - planning for spare parts and replacement equipment Question: What are the common terms for "trouble calls"? Answer: -Complaints -Report of Failures or Malfunctions -The Assignment of Personnel to investigate Question: What might be required first if a trouble call does not come in from a reliable source? Answer: Make a visit to the site to determine action needed Question: What should be done first after completing the repair and before leaving the site? Answer: -Take photographs of the repair -Document the repair -observe the operation for several cycles Question: if a field technician was directly informed by a supervisor that a traffic signal was dark at a specific location, what type of liability is this an example of? Answer: Actual Notice Question: What are some of the first steps in observing the intersection? Answer: -Watch the signal displays -watch traffic flow -check for physical damage and the surrounding area Question: what should be completed after observing the intersection when troubleshooting a problem? Answer: Identifying problem Question: what final process must be performed to complete a maintenance call? Answer: Documentation Question: What type(s) of legal liability is the traffic signal field tech exposed to? Answer: personal liability with regard to safety and tort liability in dealing with the public. Question: What are the four basic types of controller assemblies commonly used today Answer: NEMA TS-1, NEMA TS-2, 170 system, and the Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC) Question: what is a "blank-out" sign Answer: internally illuminated signs with a static message, only activated during specific times. Question: what are jumpers Answer: short length conductors that are installed to tell the unit which movement, or channels, are considered compatible. Question: what is the power supply for the 170 type controller cabinets Answer: it's a plug in module that is one component in the power distribution assembly (PDA) Question: what are load switches Answer: relays that receive low voltage (24VDC) electric signals from the controller to direct the 120VAC per that illuminates the traffic signal indicators Question: what is a mercury contractor relay Answer: tore off relay that is capable of switching high levels of current Question: what is the forerunner of electronic controllers Answer: electro-mechanical controllers Question: what were the three military specification connectors known as Answer: A, B, and C connectors Question: what is the basic difference between the 179 and 170 controllers Answer: the microprocessor Question: what is a series Answer: electrical components connected along a single path Question: What is Ohm's Law? Answer: E=IR, R=E/I, I=E/R Question: What is a diode? Answer: A device that only allows current to flow in one direction Question: what is a P-N diode Answer: a diode where elections flow from negative to positive (cathode to anode) but not in the opposite direction. Question: what is a time domain reflectometer Answer: electronic instrument used to characterize and locate faults in metallic cables Question: what is an optical time domain reflectometer Answer: it's an optoelectronic instrument used to characterize an optical fiber Question: what is a spectrum analyzer Answer: used to examine the spectral composition of some electrical, acoustic out optical waveform Question: what is a ring in a traffic signal controller Answer: a series of conflicting phases that occur in an established order Question: what is a barrier in a traffic signal controller Answer: a boundary point in the preferred sequence in a dual or single ring controller Question: concurrent phases Answer: movements that happen at the same time because they do not conflict Question: sequential phases Answer: cannot happen at the same time because they conflict with one another Question: independent overlaps Answer: have their own timing intervals, do not change with vehicle demand Question: parent/child overlaps Answer: is only present when one or more phase is active Question: what are the 3 stages of drawbridge preemptions Answer: 1. the clearance of the bridge opening area to permit gates to be lowered 2. omission of phases during the opening. 3. modification of phase timing after an opening to clear standing queues. Question: multiple channel electronic units Answer: allow connection of multiple loops to the same unit, and offers features that can reduce or sometimes eliminate Crosswalk between loops Question: Doppler microwave detectors Answer: can detect volume, occupancy, classification, and speed; however they only detect vehicles going faster than minimum speed Question: list the steps of troubleshooting Answer: observe, identify, determine, isolate, test, correct, observe, document