I M S A · I N T E R N AT I O N A L M U N I C I PA L S I G N A L A S S O C I AT I O N
Traffic Signal Technician Certification
Level II Key Questions & Answers
Complete Q-Bank
Question 1
Legal liability: Responsibilities a Traffic signal technician has while involved in repair, testing, or
maintenance.
A. Legal liability
CORRECT ANSWER: Legal liability
RATIONALE:
Traffic signal technicians have legal responsibilities when performing repair, testing, or maintenance. This
includes ensuring work meets standards and documenting all actions taken.
Question 2
The level of priority emergency vehicles should be set to.
A. Medium priority
CORRECT ANSWER: Medium priority
RATIONALE:
Emergency vehicle preemption is typically set to medium priority to balance the need for rapid response
with overall traffic safety.
Question 3
When there are no pedestrian features, the minimum green time should be calculated by at
least equal to the minimum time it would take a pedestrian to safely cross the intersection.
A. Minimum green time calculation
CORRECT ANSWER: Minimum green time calculation
RATIONALE:
Minimum green time should be at least the time required for a pedestrian to safely cross, even when no
pedestrian features are present, to ensure safety.
, Question 4
Describes the direction of approach and the maneuver made at the intersection.
A. Vehicle Movement
CORRECT ANSWER: Vehicle Movement
RATIONALE:
Vehicle movement describes both the direction of approach (e.g., northbound) and the maneuver (e.g.,
left turn, through, right turn) at an intersection.
Question 5
Vehicle movements are usually recorded in a 'what' that is typically included in the plans for a
traffic signal.
A. Timing chart
CORRECT ANSWER: Timing chart
RATIONALE:
A timing chart records vehicle movements and is a standard component of traffic signal plans, showing
phase intervals and sequencing.
Question 6
Vehicle phases are typically numbered 1 through 8.
A. Vehicle phases numbering
CORRECT ANSWER: Vehicle phases numbering
RATIONALE:
NEMA standard numbering assigns phases 1 through 8, with odd numbers for left turns and even
numbers for through movements.
Question 7
The numbers assigned in a vehicle phase to the through movements.
A. Even numbers
CORRECT ANSWER: Even numbers
RATIONALE:
In NEMA phasing, through movements are assigned even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8). Left turns are assigned
odd numbers.
, Question 8
The numbers assigned to the left turn movements in a vehicle phase.
A. Odd numbers
CORRECT ANSWER: Odd numbers
RATIONALE:
In NEMA phasing, left turn movements are assigned odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7). Through movements use
even numbers.
Question 9
It is imperative that the traffic signal field technician maintain comprehensive what of all the
steps taken during repair and maintenance of traffic signals.
A. Documentation
CORRECT ANSWER: Documentation
RATIONALE:
Comprehensive documentation of all repair and maintenance steps is essential for legal, operational, and
quality control purposes.
Question 10
One of the two instances where documentation is required for a traffic signal field technician.
A. Routine maintenance
CORRECT ANSWER: Routine maintenance
RATIONALE:
Documentation is required for both routine maintenance and emergency repairs to ensure a complete
record of all work performed.
Question 11
The second instance where documentation is required for a traffic signal field technician.
A. Emergency repair
CORRECT ANSWER: Emergency repair
RATIONALE:
Emergency repairs require detailed documentation to capture the nature of the failure, actions taken, and
any temporary measures implemented.
, Question 12
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Road users.
A. Road users
CORRECT ANSWER: Road users
RATIONALE:
The public includes road users such as motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists who are directly affected by
traffic signal operations.
Question 13
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Area residents / Property
owners.
A. Area residents / Property owners
CORRECT ANSWER: Area residents / Property owners
RATIONALE:
Area residents and property owners are stakeholders who may be impacted by signal work, construction,
or operational changes.
Question 14
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Elected and appointed
officials.
A. Elected and appointed officials
CORRECT ANSWER: Elected and appointed officials
RATIONALE:
Elected and appointed officials represent the public interest and may need to be informed about signal
projects and issues.
Question 15
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - The media.
A. The media
CORRECT ANSWER: The media
RATIONALE:
The media is a conduit for public information and may cover signal-related issues, so technicians should
be prepared for media interaction.
Traffic Signal Technician Certification
Level II Key Questions & Answers
Complete Q-Bank
Question 1
Legal liability: Responsibilities a Traffic signal technician has while involved in repair, testing, or
maintenance.
A. Legal liability
CORRECT ANSWER: Legal liability
RATIONALE:
Traffic signal technicians have legal responsibilities when performing repair, testing, or maintenance. This
includes ensuring work meets standards and documenting all actions taken.
Question 2
The level of priority emergency vehicles should be set to.
A. Medium priority
CORRECT ANSWER: Medium priority
RATIONALE:
Emergency vehicle preemption is typically set to medium priority to balance the need for rapid response
with overall traffic safety.
Question 3
When there are no pedestrian features, the minimum green time should be calculated by at
least equal to the minimum time it would take a pedestrian to safely cross the intersection.
A. Minimum green time calculation
CORRECT ANSWER: Minimum green time calculation
RATIONALE:
Minimum green time should be at least the time required for a pedestrian to safely cross, even when no
pedestrian features are present, to ensure safety.
, Question 4
Describes the direction of approach and the maneuver made at the intersection.
A. Vehicle Movement
CORRECT ANSWER: Vehicle Movement
RATIONALE:
Vehicle movement describes both the direction of approach (e.g., northbound) and the maneuver (e.g.,
left turn, through, right turn) at an intersection.
Question 5
Vehicle movements are usually recorded in a 'what' that is typically included in the plans for a
traffic signal.
A. Timing chart
CORRECT ANSWER: Timing chart
RATIONALE:
A timing chart records vehicle movements and is a standard component of traffic signal plans, showing
phase intervals and sequencing.
Question 6
Vehicle phases are typically numbered 1 through 8.
A. Vehicle phases numbering
CORRECT ANSWER: Vehicle phases numbering
RATIONALE:
NEMA standard numbering assigns phases 1 through 8, with odd numbers for left turns and even
numbers for through movements.
Question 7
The numbers assigned in a vehicle phase to the through movements.
A. Even numbers
CORRECT ANSWER: Even numbers
RATIONALE:
In NEMA phasing, through movements are assigned even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8). Left turns are assigned
odd numbers.
, Question 8
The numbers assigned to the left turn movements in a vehicle phase.
A. Odd numbers
CORRECT ANSWER: Odd numbers
RATIONALE:
In NEMA phasing, left turn movements are assigned odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7). Through movements use
even numbers.
Question 9
It is imperative that the traffic signal field technician maintain comprehensive what of all the
steps taken during repair and maintenance of traffic signals.
A. Documentation
CORRECT ANSWER: Documentation
RATIONALE:
Comprehensive documentation of all repair and maintenance steps is essential for legal, operational, and
quality control purposes.
Question 10
One of the two instances where documentation is required for a traffic signal field technician.
A. Routine maintenance
CORRECT ANSWER: Routine maintenance
RATIONALE:
Documentation is required for both routine maintenance and emergency repairs to ensure a complete
record of all work performed.
Question 11
The second instance where documentation is required for a traffic signal field technician.
A. Emergency repair
CORRECT ANSWER: Emergency repair
RATIONALE:
Emergency repairs require detailed documentation to capture the nature of the failure, actions taken, and
any temporary measures implemented.
, Question 12
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Road users.
A. Road users
CORRECT ANSWER: Road users
RATIONALE:
The public includes road users such as motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists who are directly affected by
traffic signal operations.
Question 13
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Area residents / Property
owners.
A. Area residents / Property owners
CORRECT ANSWER: Area residents / Property owners
RATIONALE:
Area residents and property owners are stakeholders who may be impacted by signal work, construction,
or operational changes.
Question 14
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - Elected and appointed
officials.
A. Elected and appointed officials
CORRECT ANSWER: Elected and appointed officials
RATIONALE:
Elected and appointed officials represent the public interest and may need to be informed about signal
projects and issues.
Question 15
The 'word' public usually represents the following individuals: (4) - The media.
A. The media
CORRECT ANSWER: The media
RATIONALE:
The media is a conduit for public information and may cover signal-related issues, so technicians should
be prepared for media interaction.
