CERTIFIED TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which level of service (LOS) represents free-flow conditions on a highway?
A. LOS A
B. LOS B
C. LOS C
D. LOS D
Answer: A. LOS A
Rationale: LOS A indicates free-flow traffic with minimal delays and high
operating speeds.
2. The primary purpose of a traffic impact study is to:
A. Determine pavement thickness
B. Evaluate environmental impacts
C. Assess effects of new development on traffic operations
D. Set speed limits
Answer: C. Assess effects of new development on traffic operations
Rationale: Traffic impact studies evaluate how proposed developments
affect surrounding roadway performance and safety.
3. Which factor most directly affects highway capacity?
A. Pavement color
B. Number of lanes
C. Roadside landscaping
, D. Sign placement
Answer: B. Number of lanes
Rationale: Capacity is directly related to the number of lanes available for
traffic flow.
4. The design speed of a roadway primarily influences:
A. Traffic enforcement policies
B. Geometric design elements
C. Pavement maintenance schedules
D. Fuel consumption rates
Answer: B. Geometric design elements
Rationale: Design speed determines curve radius, sight distance, and
superelevation.
5. What is the primary objective of access management?
A. Increase roadway capacity
B. Reduce construction costs
C. Control driveway spacing and intersections
D. Improve vehicle aesthetics
Answer: C. Control driveway spacing and intersections
Rationale: Access management improves safety and efficiency by
regulating access points.
6. Which traffic control device gives drivers mandatory instructions?
A. Guide sign
B. Warning sign
C. Regulatory sign
D. Informational sign
Answer: C. Regulatory sign
Rationale: Regulatory signs communicate laws and regulations that must
be obeyed.
7. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) is primarily used to:
A. Design bridges
B. Analyze traffic operations
, C. Estimate construction costs
D. Evaluate vehicle emissions
Answer: B. Analyze traffic operations
Rationale: The HCM provides methodologies for evaluating capacity and
level of service.
8. What does AADT stand for?
A. Average Annual Daily Traffic
B. Adjusted Average Daily Trips
C. Annual Average Design Traffic
D. Average Aggregate Daily Transport
Answer: A. Average Annual Daily Traffic
Rationale: AADT represents the average daily traffic volume over a year.
9. The primary purpose of superelevation on curves is to:
A. Improve drainage
B. Reduce skidding
C. Increase lane width
D. Enhance aesthetics
Answer: B. Reduce skidding
Rationale: Superelevation counteracts centrifugal force, improving vehicle
stability on curves.
10.Which pavement type is most commonly used for high-volume highways?
A. Gravel
B. Flexible pavement
C. Rigid pavement
D. Composite pavement
Answer: B. Flexible pavement
Rationale: Flexible pavements are widely used due to cost-effectiveness
and ease of maintenance.
11.The main function of a median is to:
A. Increase lane capacity
B. Separate opposing traffic
EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which level of service (LOS) represents free-flow conditions on a highway?
A. LOS A
B. LOS B
C. LOS C
D. LOS D
Answer: A. LOS A
Rationale: LOS A indicates free-flow traffic with minimal delays and high
operating speeds.
2. The primary purpose of a traffic impact study is to:
A. Determine pavement thickness
B. Evaluate environmental impacts
C. Assess effects of new development on traffic operations
D. Set speed limits
Answer: C. Assess effects of new development on traffic operations
Rationale: Traffic impact studies evaluate how proposed developments
affect surrounding roadway performance and safety.
3. Which factor most directly affects highway capacity?
A. Pavement color
B. Number of lanes
C. Roadside landscaping
, D. Sign placement
Answer: B. Number of lanes
Rationale: Capacity is directly related to the number of lanes available for
traffic flow.
4. The design speed of a roadway primarily influences:
A. Traffic enforcement policies
B. Geometric design elements
C. Pavement maintenance schedules
D. Fuel consumption rates
Answer: B. Geometric design elements
Rationale: Design speed determines curve radius, sight distance, and
superelevation.
5. What is the primary objective of access management?
A. Increase roadway capacity
B. Reduce construction costs
C. Control driveway spacing and intersections
D. Improve vehicle aesthetics
Answer: C. Control driveway spacing and intersections
Rationale: Access management improves safety and efficiency by
regulating access points.
6. Which traffic control device gives drivers mandatory instructions?
A. Guide sign
B. Warning sign
C. Regulatory sign
D. Informational sign
Answer: C. Regulatory sign
Rationale: Regulatory signs communicate laws and regulations that must
be obeyed.
7. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) is primarily used to:
A. Design bridges
B. Analyze traffic operations
, C. Estimate construction costs
D. Evaluate vehicle emissions
Answer: B. Analyze traffic operations
Rationale: The HCM provides methodologies for evaluating capacity and
level of service.
8. What does AADT stand for?
A. Average Annual Daily Traffic
B. Adjusted Average Daily Trips
C. Annual Average Design Traffic
D. Average Aggregate Daily Transport
Answer: A. Average Annual Daily Traffic
Rationale: AADT represents the average daily traffic volume over a year.
9. The primary purpose of superelevation on curves is to:
A. Improve drainage
B. Reduce skidding
C. Increase lane width
D. Enhance aesthetics
Answer: B. Reduce skidding
Rationale: Superelevation counteracts centrifugal force, improving vehicle
stability on curves.
10.Which pavement type is most commonly used for high-volume highways?
A. Gravel
B. Flexible pavement
C. Rigid pavement
D. Composite pavement
Answer: B. Flexible pavement
Rationale: Flexible pavements are widely used due to cost-effectiveness
and ease of maintenance.
11.The main function of a median is to:
A. Increase lane capacity
B. Separate opposing traffic
