Traffic Terms
Read the Effin' Manual
Apply your Knowledge
Now That is a Fun Fact
Alphabet Soup
100

Which term describes the minimum distances drivers must have to perceive hazards and react?

Stopping Sight Distance (SSD)

100

Which publication provides capacity and Level of Service (LOS) analysis methods?

Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)

100

A bottleneck occurs when which condition exists?

Demand exceeds capacity

100

Why does UMass have a "Joint" Transportation Organization?

Combines ITE, WTS, and more under the same organization so transportation events are under one "roof"

100

WTS

Women's Transportation Seminar

200

Which concept tests the speed of traffic when density is zero?

Free-Flow Speed

200

This manual specifies the standards by which traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals are designed, installed, and used. 

MUTCD

200

This is the speed used to determine vertical and horizontal alignments on a highway

Design Speed

200

This highway in this city is the widest in the United States, with 26 lanes at its widest point

Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas

200

ITE

Institute of Transportation Engineers

300

The time difference between one point on a vehicle in front and the same point on the vehicle behind it

Headway

300

What is the AASHTO Green Book primarily used for?

Geometric design of highways and streets, including sight distance and alignment.

300

How is Level of Service defined for signalized intersections?

The average control delay per vehicle, rated from A (best) to F (worst).

300

What is the share of total carbon emissions that the transportation sector produces in the United States?

~28% (+/- 5% acceptable)

300

HCM

Highway Capacity Manual

400

Qualitative measure used to relate the quality of motor vehicle traffic service. Used to analyze roadways and intersections.

Level of Service (LOS)

400

On a two-lane road, this is the only sign which can be placed on the LEFT side of the road.

No Passing Zone

400

If traffic density doubles and speed remains constant, how does flow rate change?

Double (x2)

400

The fare card used on buses and trains in Boston is called the CharlieCard/CharlieTicket - who is "Charlie?" 

Character from the 1948 song "Charlie on the M.T.A.," who gets stuck abroad the train because he can't pay the conductor the extra 5 cents to exit.

400

MUTCD

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

500

What describes a traffic signal that initiates a change in operation when vehicles arrive at the intersection?

Actuated Signal

500

The signaling standard associated with a commonly used traffic signal controller was developed by which organization?

NEMA controller

500

The elevation of the Point of Vertical Intersection (PVI) is always ______ than the highest point on a crest vertical curve

Higher

500

How many cars were destroyed in the production of the 1980 film "The Blue's Brothers?"

~103 cars (+/- 5 acceptable)

500

AASHTO

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

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