1
IMSA Roadway Lighting Technician Level I —
2026 Practice Exam
Section 1: Roadway lighting fundamentals (Questions 1–15)
1. What is the primary purpose of roadway lighting?
A. To make roads look attractive B. To improve nighttime visibility and help road users
identify hazards C. To eliminate all traffic accidents D. To replace traffic signs
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Roadway lighting helps drivers, pedestrians, and other
road users see the roadway, obstacles, and potential conflicts at night. It cannot eliminate
every accident.
2. What does a roadway luminaire do?
A. Measures electrical resistance B. Controls traffic signals C. Distributes light from a light
source onto the roadway D. Stores electrical energy
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: A luminaire includes components that hold, protect, and
distribute light from the lamp or LED source.
3. What does LED stand for?
A. Light Emitting Diode B. Low Energy Distribution C. Lighting Electrical Device D. Light
Enhancement Design
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when
electrical current flows through it in the appropriate direction.
4. Which unit is used to measure luminous flux?
A. Ohm B. Volt C. Lumen D. Ampere
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: A lumen measures the total quantity of visible light
emitted by a source.
5. Which unit measures illuminance?
A. Lux B. Watt C. Ampere D. Kilowatt-hour
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: Illuminance measures the amount of light falling on a
surface. Lux is lumens per square metre; foot-candles are also used in the United States.
6. What is luminance most closely associated with?
A. Electrical current through a conductor B. The apparent brightness of a surface in a given
direction C. The total energy used by a circuit D. The height of a light pole
, 2
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Luminance describes light emitted or reflected from a
surface in a particular direction and is important to how bright that surface appears to an
observer.
7. What does correlated color temperature (CCT) describe?
A. The electrical resistance of an LED B. The operating voltage of a luminaire C. The
perceived color appearance of white light D. The physical temperature of the pole
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: CCT, measured in kelvins, describes whether white light
appears warmer (more yellow) or cooler (more blue).
8. What is the main purpose of a lighting distribution pattern?
A. To direct light where it is needed B. To increase circuit voltage C. To prevent every possible
electrical fault D. To determine the pole's foundation depth
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: The optical system shapes and directs light to provide
appropriate coverage while helping limit unwanted spill light and glare.
9. What is glare in roadway lighting?
A. A decrease in conductor resistance B. A type of grounding electrode C. Light that
improves visibility in every situation D. Brightness that causes discomfort or reduces visibility
CorreCt answer: D. Rationale: Excessive brightness or poorly controlled light can cause
discomfort or disability glare, making it harder to see objects.
10. What is light trespass?
A. A short circuit inside a luminaire B. Unwanted light falling beyond the intended area C. A
failed circuit breaker D. A damaged pole foundation
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Light trespass occurs when illumination extends into
areas where it is not wanted, such as nearby homes or properties.
11. Why is uniformity important in roadway lighting?
A. It ensures every luminaire uses identical wattage B. It eliminates the need for
maintenance C. It helps avoid abrupt changes between bright and dark areas D. It
guarantees that the road is accident-free
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: Appropriate uniformity supports visual adaptation and
helps road users see objects consistently along the roadway.
12. Which factor most directly affects the area illuminated by a roadway luminaire?
A. Mounting height, optical distribution, and spacing B. The color of the electrical cabinet C.
The manufacturer's mailing address D. The age of the pavement markings alone
, 3
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: Pole height, luminaire optics, aiming, roadway geometry,
and spacing all influence the distribution and coverage of light.
13. Why are lighting design criteria used?
A. To avoid all electrical inspections B. To permit any wattage to be installed C. To make all
roadways use the same pole height D. To establish appropriate performance requirements
for a particular roadway
CorreCt answer: D. Rationale: Design criteria account for roadway classification, traffic
conditions, geometry, pedestrian activity, and applicable standards.
14. What is the likely result of a luminaire lens or optical cover becoming heavily dirty?
A. The supply voltage always increases B. Less light may reach the roadway C. The grounding
system becomes unnecessary D. The circuit automatically draws zero current
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Dirt, dust, and deposits can absorb or block light and
reduce luminaire performance.
15. What is the purpose of a roadway lighting inventory?
A. To record only employee attendance B. To replace all electrical drawings C. To document
assets such as poles, luminaires, circuits, and equipment locations D. To calculate vehicle
speed
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: An accurate inventory supports maintenance,
troubleshooting, budgeting, asset management, and future planning.
Section 2: Basic electricity and electrical laws (Questions 16–30)
16. What is the unit of electrical current?
A. Volt B. Ampere C. Ohm D. Watt
CorreCt answer: B. Ampere. Rationale: Current is the rate of flow of electric charge and
is measured in amperes (amps).
17. What does voltage measure?
A. Electrical potential difference B. Light output C. Wire length D. Power consumption only
CorreCt answer: A. Electrical potential difference. Rationale: Voltage is the electrical
potential difference that drives current through a circuit.
18. What is the unit of electrical resistance?
A. Watt B. Ampere C. Ohm D. Lumen
IMSA Roadway Lighting Technician Level I —
2026 Practice Exam
Section 1: Roadway lighting fundamentals (Questions 1–15)
1. What is the primary purpose of roadway lighting?
A. To make roads look attractive B. To improve nighttime visibility and help road users
identify hazards C. To eliminate all traffic accidents D. To replace traffic signs
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Roadway lighting helps drivers, pedestrians, and other
road users see the roadway, obstacles, and potential conflicts at night. It cannot eliminate
every accident.
2. What does a roadway luminaire do?
A. Measures electrical resistance B. Controls traffic signals C. Distributes light from a light
source onto the roadway D. Stores electrical energy
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: A luminaire includes components that hold, protect, and
distribute light from the lamp or LED source.
3. What does LED stand for?
A. Light Emitting Diode B. Low Energy Distribution C. Lighting Electrical Device D. Light
Enhancement Design
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when
electrical current flows through it in the appropriate direction.
4. Which unit is used to measure luminous flux?
A. Ohm B. Volt C. Lumen D. Ampere
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: A lumen measures the total quantity of visible light
emitted by a source.
5. Which unit measures illuminance?
A. Lux B. Watt C. Ampere D. Kilowatt-hour
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: Illuminance measures the amount of light falling on a
surface. Lux is lumens per square metre; foot-candles are also used in the United States.
6. What is luminance most closely associated with?
A. Electrical current through a conductor B. The apparent brightness of a surface in a given
direction C. The total energy used by a circuit D. The height of a light pole
, 2
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Luminance describes light emitted or reflected from a
surface in a particular direction and is important to how bright that surface appears to an
observer.
7. What does correlated color temperature (CCT) describe?
A. The electrical resistance of an LED B. The operating voltage of a luminaire C. The
perceived color appearance of white light D. The physical temperature of the pole
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: CCT, measured in kelvins, describes whether white light
appears warmer (more yellow) or cooler (more blue).
8. What is the main purpose of a lighting distribution pattern?
A. To direct light where it is needed B. To increase circuit voltage C. To prevent every possible
electrical fault D. To determine the pole's foundation depth
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: The optical system shapes and directs light to provide
appropriate coverage while helping limit unwanted spill light and glare.
9. What is glare in roadway lighting?
A. A decrease in conductor resistance B. A type of grounding electrode C. Light that
improves visibility in every situation D. Brightness that causes discomfort or reduces visibility
CorreCt answer: D. Rationale: Excessive brightness or poorly controlled light can cause
discomfort or disability glare, making it harder to see objects.
10. What is light trespass?
A. A short circuit inside a luminaire B. Unwanted light falling beyond the intended area C. A
failed circuit breaker D. A damaged pole foundation
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Light trespass occurs when illumination extends into
areas where it is not wanted, such as nearby homes or properties.
11. Why is uniformity important in roadway lighting?
A. It ensures every luminaire uses identical wattage B. It eliminates the need for
maintenance C. It helps avoid abrupt changes between bright and dark areas D. It
guarantees that the road is accident-free
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: Appropriate uniformity supports visual adaptation and
helps road users see objects consistently along the roadway.
12. Which factor most directly affects the area illuminated by a roadway luminaire?
A. Mounting height, optical distribution, and spacing B. The color of the electrical cabinet C.
The manufacturer's mailing address D. The age of the pavement markings alone
, 3
CorreCt answer: A. Rationale: Pole height, luminaire optics, aiming, roadway geometry,
and spacing all influence the distribution and coverage of light.
13. Why are lighting design criteria used?
A. To avoid all electrical inspections B. To permit any wattage to be installed C. To make all
roadways use the same pole height D. To establish appropriate performance requirements
for a particular roadway
CorreCt answer: D. Rationale: Design criteria account for roadway classification, traffic
conditions, geometry, pedestrian activity, and applicable standards.
14. What is the likely result of a luminaire lens or optical cover becoming heavily dirty?
A. The supply voltage always increases B. Less light may reach the roadway C. The grounding
system becomes unnecessary D. The circuit automatically draws zero current
CorreCt answer: B. Rationale: Dirt, dust, and deposits can absorb or block light and
reduce luminaire performance.
15. What is the purpose of a roadway lighting inventory?
A. To record only employee attendance B. To replace all electrical drawings C. To document
assets such as poles, luminaires, circuits, and equipment locations D. To calculate vehicle
speed
CorreCt answer: C. Rationale: An accurate inventory supports maintenance,
troubleshooting, budgeting, asset management, and future planning.
Section 2: Basic electricity and electrical laws (Questions 16–30)
16. What is the unit of electrical current?
A. Volt B. Ampere C. Ohm D. Watt
CorreCt answer: B. Ampere. Rationale: Current is the rate of flow of electric charge and
is measured in amperes (amps).
17. What does voltage measure?
A. Electrical potential difference B. Light output C. Wire length D. Power consumption only
CorreCt answer: A. Electrical potential difference. Rationale: Voltage is the electrical
potential difference that drives current through a circuit.
18. What is the unit of electrical resistance?
A. Watt B. Ampere C. Ohm D. Lumen
