Free Transportation Engineering MCQs with Answers

• A. Examine broad terrain and identify feasible route corridors
• B. Set out the final centreline with construction instruments
• C. Determine the final pavement layer thicknesses
• D. Measure the completed road's traffic capacity

Explanation: A reconnaissance survey provides a broad understanding of terrain, drainage, soil and obstacles so feasible corridors can be identified.

• A. Resistance to aggregate crushing under impact
• B. Consistency or hardness at a specified temperature
• C. Adhesion between concrete and steel bars
• D. Loss of mass under abrasive wheel action

Explanation: The penetration test measures the depth reached by a standard needle under specified load, time and temperature.

• A. Heavy compared with their specific gravity
• B. Rounded compared with their surface area
• C. Thin compared with their length and width
• D. Soft compared with their colour and texture

Explanation: Flaky particles have a small thickness compared with their other dimensions.

• A. Prevent all temperature changes in the surface layer
• B. Provide a waterproof seal over the wearing course
• C. Mark traffic lanes for night-time visibility
• D. Distribute wheel loads over the subbase and subgrade

Explanation: The base course is a major load-carrying layer that spreads traffic stresses before they reach weaker underlying layers.

• A. Contact pressure to the corresponding slab deflection
• B. Traffic volume to the available road width
• C. Bitumen content to aggregate gradation
• D. Concrete strength to its curing period

Explanation: The modulus of subgrade reaction, commonly denoted by k, is the pressure applied to the subgrade divided by the resulting deflection.

• A. Harmonic mean of travel speeds over a section
• B. Arithmetic mean of spot speeds at a location
• C. Average speed obtained by dividing density by flow
• D. Speed of the slowest vehicle in the stream

Explanation: Time mean speed is the arithmetic average of the individual vehicle speeds passing a fixed point.

• A. Manual priority controller
• B. Fixed-time controller
• C. Actuated controller
• D. Flashing warning controller

Explanation: An actuated controller receives information from detectors and adjusts the signal timing according to traffic demand.

• A. Number of passengers carried by each vehicle
• B. Total distance travelled by each parked vehicle
• C. Average speed of vehicles on the approach road
• D. Number of vehicles parked at a particular time

Explanation: Parking accumulation is the number of vehicles parked in a specified area at a given time.

• A. Secure the rail to the sleeper and maintain its position
• B. Provide drainage through the centre of the ballast
• C. Increase the gradient of the railway track
• D. Replace the need for sleepers under the rail

Explanation: Rail fastenings hold the rail to the sleeper, maintain the required gauge and resist lateral or longitudinal movement.

• A. At which the aircraft first begins its take-off roll
• B. At which the aircraft crosses the runway threshold on approach
• C. At which the aircraft leaves the taxiway for the apron
• D. At which the aircraft reaches its cruising altitude

Explanation: Threshold speed refers to the aircraft speed as it crosses the runway threshold during the approach or landing sequence.

• A. Effective surface aggregate loss
• B. Estimated seasonal axle loading
• C. Equivalent standard axle load repetitions
• D. Equivalent subgrade allowable length

Explanation: ESAL means equivalent standard axle load repetitions. Different axle loads are converted to an equivalent number of applications of a…

• A. Withstand abrasive wear
• B. Harden under impact
• C. Resist water absorption
• D. Stretch before breaking

Explanation: Ductility is the distance bitumen can elongate before it breaks under specified conditions.

• A. Rutting
• B. Ravelling
• C. Bleeding
• D. Polishing

Explanation: Rutting consists of permanent longitudinal depressions in the wheel tracks, usually caused by accumulated deformation in the asphalt…

• A. Provide decorative surface texture
• B. Reduce pumping and provide uniform support
• C. Replace the need for concrete joints
• D. Increase tyre-pavement friction alone

Explanation: A subbase provides more uniform support and helps control pumping of water and soil fines through pavement joints.

• A. Drainage gradient
• B. Pavement skid resistance
• C. Overtaking or stopping sight distance
• D. Railway cant deficiency

Explanation: Crest vertical curves must provide sufficient visibility over the summit.

• A. A completely empty network
• B. Only free-flow speed conditions
• C. The highest possible tyre pressure
• D. Specified prevailing roadway and traffic conditions

Explanation: Capacity is the maximum sustainable flow under specified roadway, traffic and control conditions.

• A. A significant reduction in operating speed
• B. A permanent increase in lane width
• C. A reduction in vehicle dimensions
• D. An increase in pavement thickness

Explanation: Unstable flow occurs near or beyond capacity, where a small demand increase can produce a sharp speed reduction and congestion.

• A. Length in hundreds of metres
• B. Magnetic azimuth rounded to the nearest ten degrees
• C. Width in metres multiplied by two
• D. Elevation above mean sea level

Explanation: A runway designation normally uses its magnetic heading rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, with the last digit omitted.

• A. Vertical bending between sleepers
• B. Lateral widening of gauge
• C. Longitudinal movement along the track
• D. Corrosion beneath the head

Explanation: Rail creep is the gradual longitudinal movement of rails, often in the direction of predominant train movement.

• A. Reduction in runway visibility
• B. Loss of concrete strength at joints
• C. Increase in railway gauge
• D. Excessive lateral movement or overturning of slow vehicles

Explanation: Excessive superelevation can cause slow-moving vehicles to slide inward or become unstable when they travel below the design speed.