2/13/2021

Transportation Depth
Problem Solving Session
Spring 2021
Session 1 – Geometrics
3 - 02 - 2021
Prepare your solutions before the session on Tuesday

Problem 1
How far is point C from point P in the drawing on the below? To the nearest:
A) 28
B) 30
C) 33 C
D) 36 Sta. 1+50
A
P
30’
Sta. 4+75
B
D

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Problem 2
The horizontal curve shown below is the centerline alignment of a travel lane. The
horizontal curve has a degree of curvature of 6֯ 44’26.45” and is on level ground. The
speed limit is 50 mph. The stopping sight distance available to drivers due to the
obstruction is most nearly:
a) 30 ft PC

b) 413 ft
c) 425 ft 25’

d) 550 ft building
PT

Problem 3
A vertical curve has a length of 500 ft. The elevation of the PVI is 115.24 ft. The curve
passes under a bridge, which has a bottom elevation of 135.74 ft. If the vertical clearance
under the bridge is 14 ft, the horizontal distance (ft) from the PVC to the bridge is most
nearly
a) 185
b) 225
c) 335
d) 465 Bridge

PVC PVT

PVI

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Problem 4
According to AASHTO Guidelines, the construction of the edge of pavement elevation of the
collector roadway that provides the vertical clearance from the bridge as shown is most nearly:
A) 132.5 ft
B) 133.0 ft
C) 134.0 ft Bridge
D) 134.5 ft Elevation 150.00 ft
CL

Roadway

12 ft 12 ft

Problem 5
Given a horizontal curve XYZ as shown below. Chords from X to Y and from Y to Z are 135 ft
long each. The line drawn perpendicular from Y to line XZ is 15 ft long.
Calculate the Radius R of this curve (to the nearest)?
a) 255 ft
b) 385 ft
Y
c) 495 ft
d) 605 ft

X Z

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Problem 6
A compound curve is shown below. If the central of the second curve Δ2 is
37֯ 25’, what is most nearly the station of the point of compound curvature
PCC?
PCC
PC = sta. 2+00

52֯15’
A) 2+48
B) 3+48 Δ1
PT
C) 3+78 55 ft Δ2
D) 6+96

Problem 7
A sag vertical curve has a design speed of 40 mph and a length of 400 ft. Which of the
following pairs of intersecting tangent grades would violate AASHTO’s recommended
headlight site distance on this curve?
a) g1 = -2.0% and g2 = 3.2%
b) g1 = -2.2% and g2 = 1.5%
c) g1 = -3.1% and g2 = 2.1%
d) g1 = -3.6% and g2 = 2.9%

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Problem 8
A loop ramp connects two legs of a highway at an interchange. The highway design speed is 50
mph. The maximum superelevation for the ramp curve is 8%. The minimum recommended
radius for the sharpest part of the ramp curve (based on the lower range ramp design speed) is
most nearly:
a) 134’
b) 344’
c) 554’
d) 758’

Problem 9
A horizontal curve on a rural highway with a design speed of 75 mph is to be
superelevated according to the guidelines in the AASHTO Green Book. Snow and ice is
expected to be present during winter. What is the minimum recommended radius (ft)?
a) 2210
b) 2825
c) 3010
d) 3620

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Problem 10
A crest vertical curve transitions from a 2.5% grade uphill to a 3.0% grade
downhill. Of the curve lengths listed below, which should be selected to
achieve a minimum K-value of 150?

a) 650 ft
b) 700 ft
c) 800 ft
d) 850 ft

Problem 11
Determine the azimuth for side 3-1
a) 135֯
b) 185֯ 3
c) 205֯
35֯
d) 240֯

1 60֯

85֯

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Problem 12
The bearing of CD is N10֯40’E. The azimuth of line BC is most nearly
a) 75֯10’
D
b) 125֯10’
c) 225֯10’
d) 305֯10’

114֯ 30’ 87֯ 30’

C A

97֯ 30’

Problem 13
The shaded area (ft2) for Lot A inside the horizontal curve given the following information is
most nearly:

B
Point Northing Easting A
A 1000 1000
Lot A
B 1000 1250 Lot A C
C 925 1250

a. 58,950
b. 59,100
c. 59,800
d. 60,100

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Problem 14
A crest vertical curve ends at Station 25+00. The middle ordinate of the curve needs to be held
to 3 ft. Determine the station at the beginning of the curve to maintain the stopping sight
distance of 155 ft.
a) 22+18
b) 23+02
c) 23+37
d) 24+22

Problem 15
A vehicle travelling at 60 mph needs to maneuver away from an accident that just
occurred. The sum of the pre-maneuver and maneuver times is 12.4 sec. Determine the
type of avoidance maneuver as per the AASHTO Green Book.
a) B
b) C
c) D
d) E

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Problem 16
A 4-lane rural highway, with 12-ft lanes and a 2% normal cross slope, is to be
superelevated to 6% through a curve. Assuming a design speed of 65 mph, the distance
from the PC to the point where the roadway is fully superelevated is most nearly:
a) 50 ft
b) 55 ft
c) 60 ft
d) 72 ft

Problem 17
A 6-lane divided highway has a design speed of 65 mph and the following dimensions:
Grassed median: 22 ft wide
Lanes: 12 ft wide, 3 lanes directional
Right side shoulders: 10 ft wide
Centerline Da = 3֯ 45’
If a single face concrete barrier is to be installed along the highway without encroaching on the required
horizontal sight distance, how far (at minimum) from the roadway centerline should the face of the
barrier be located?

a) 35 ft
b) 41 ft
c) 67 ft
d) 76 ft
Road CL

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Practice 18
A compound curve is shown in the figure. The length of the
radius of the second curve, R2, is most nearly:
A) 3130 ft B) 3320 ft
C) 3540 ft D) 3650 ft
2000 ft
N88°45’E

PCC
PT
PC R2
R1 = 2200 ft

Problem 19
Use for Practice 19 and 20
The data for the curves 1 and 2 is shown on the plan below. Assume that both
curves are equal reversing curves.
• What is the central angle of the curves?
a) 21˚ b) 25˚
c) 42˚ d) 45˚

40’
E Street

Curve 2
14’ Median Island
8’
11th Street

16’ Curve 1

BC Sta.
Engineering Education & Training
25+34.88

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Problem 20
Using same info in Practice 19
The data for the curves 1 and 2 is shown on the plan below. Assume that both
curves are equal reversing curves.
• Calculate most nearly the tangent of the curve.
a) 16 b) 17
c) 18 d) 19

40’

E Street
Curve 2
14’ Median Island
8’
11th
Street
16’ Curve 1

BC Sta.
2/13/2021 Engineering Education & Training
25+34.88

Problem 21
You are hired to widen an old street. You’ve done some research and obtained a copy of the
recorded As-Built plans. The record plans are over 30 years old and difficult to read. You can
make out only the following information from the record drawing’s profile. What is g2 (in %)
for the street centerline?

PVI Sta. 12+80

El. 108.93

Rim
El. = 103.9

a) -0.8
CL b) -1.3
BVC =10+55

Sta.11+65
Manhole

c) -3.3
d) -5.8

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Problem 22

A freeway ramp has the following characteristics:

Radius of inner edge of pavement is 75 ft
Two-lane, two-way operation.
Design traffic Condition C
Barrier curb on one side
Per AASHTO Green Book, the ramp pavement width needed (ft) is most nearly:
a) 21
b) 28
c) 31
d) 39

Problem 23
Determine the minimum width of space needed along a horizontal curve to allow an intercity
bus BUS-40 design to complete the minimum turning path (to the nearest): Assume bus is
equipped with a bicycle rack.
a) 12.0’
b) 14.5’
c) 16.5’
d) 22.5’

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Problem 24
A machine part that is operating in a corrosive environment is made of low-carbon steel. It
costs $350 installed and lasts six years. If the part is treated for corrosion resistance it will
cost $700 installed. How long must the treated part last to be as economical as the untreated
part, if money is worth 6%?
a. 8 years
b. 11 years
c. 15 years
d. 17 years

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