Highway Engineering MCQs : This section focuses on the "Highway Engineering". These Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) should be practiced to improve the Highway Engineering skills required for various interviews (campus interview, walk-in interview, company interview), placement, entrance exam and other competitive examinations.
Question 1
A district road with a bituminous pavement has a horizontal curve of 1000 m for a design speed of 75 km ph. The super-elevation is
A. 1 in 40
B. 1 in 50
C. 1 in 60
D. 1 in 70
Question 2
A single lane carriage way whenever changes to two-lane carriage way, is affected through a taper of
A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 15
C. 1 in 20
D. 1 in 15 to 1 in 20
Question 3
According to Highway Research Board of U.S.A. practical land width, is
A. 2.7 m
B. 3.0 m
C. 3.3 m
D. 3.6 m
Question 4
According to the recommendations of Nagpur Conference, the width formation of an ideal National Highway in hard rock cutting, is
A. 8.9 m
B. 7.9 m
C. 6.9 m
D. 6.5 m
Question 5
As per recommendations of I.R.C., traffic volume study is carried out for rural roads for 7 days continuously during
A. harvesing
B. lean season
C. harvesting and lean season
D. none of these.
Question 6
Border Roads Organisation for hilly regions, was formed in
A. 1947
B. 1954
C. 1958
D. 1960
Question 7
Design of flexible pavements is based on
A. mathematical analysis
B. empirical formulae
C. a compromise of pure theory and pure empirical formula
D. none of these.
Question 8
Design of horizontal and vertical alignments, super-elevation, sight distance and grades, is worst affected by
A. width of the vehicle
B. length of the vehicle
C. height of the vehicle
D. speed of the vehicle
Question 9
Deviation of the alignment of a trace cut may be permitted in areas involving
A. land slides
B. sand dunes
C. dens
D. none of these.
Question 10
First operation during the detailed survey of a hill road, is
A. hydrological and soil surveys
B. adjustment of alignment along with curves
C. derivation of longitudinal and cross-sections
D. fixation of Bench Marks
Question 11
For the movement of vehicles at an intersection of two roads, without any interference, the type of grade separator generally preferred to, is
A. delta
B. trumpet
C. diamond interchange
D. clover leaf.
Question 12
If cross slope of a country is 10% to 25%, the terrain is classified as
A. rolling
B. mountainous
C. steep
D. plain.
Question 13
If R is the radius of a main curve and L is the length of the transition curve, the shift of the curve, is
A. L/24 R
B. L2/24 R
C. L3/24 R
D. L4/24 R
Question 14
If the ruling gradient on any highway is 3%, the gradient provided on the curve of 300 metre radius, is
A. 2.00%
B. 2.25%
C. 2.50%
D. 2.75%
Question 15
In India the modes of transportation, in the order of their importance, are
A. air transport, shipping, roads, railways
B. shipping, roads, railways, air transport
C. roads, railways, air transport, shipping
D. railways, roads, shipping, air transport
Question 16
In water bound macadam roads, binding material, is
A. sand
B. stone dust
C. cement
D. brick dust.
Question 17
Increase in traffic volume, due to increase in transport vehicles, is known as
A. development traffic
B. normal traffic growth
C. generated traffic growth
D. current traffic
Question 18
Maximum number of passenger cars that can pass a given point on a road during one hour under the most ideal road way and traffic conditions, is known as
A. traffic density
B. basic capacity of traffic lane
C. possible capacity of traffic lane
D. all the above.
Question 19
Maximum super-elevation on hill roads should not exceed
A. 5%
B. 7%
C. 8%
D. 10%
Question 20
On the recommendations of Indian Road Congress, the ruling gradient in plains, is
A. 1 in 15
B. 1 in 20
C. 1 in 30
D. 1 in 45
Question 21
Pick up the correct statement from the following:
A. During reconnaissance, the general route of the alignment is selected
B. After reconnaissance, a trace is cut for the alignment
C. Last stage is the detailed surveys for desired geometries'of the highway
D. All the above.
Question 22
Pick up the correct statement from the following:
A. Safety fences are provided on either side of a roadway if embankments are in excess of 6 metres
B. Safety fences are provided on outside of the curves of radii less than 750 m if the embankments are between 3 metres and 6 metres
C. Guard stones are provided at 2.5 metres intervals if embankments are between 1.6 metres to 3 metres
D. All the above.
Question 23
Pick up the incorrect statement from the following. The super-elevation on roads is
A. directly proportional to width of pavement
B. directly proportional to velocity of vehicles
C. inversely proportional to acceleration due to gravity
D. inversely proportional to the radius of curvature.
Question 24
Shoulders for high traffic volume roads, should
A. be stable throughout the year to be used by vehicles in the case of emergency
B. support and protect the ends of carriage ways
C. not allow entrance of water to sub-grade
D. all the above.
Question 25
The absolute minimum radius of horizontal curve for a design speed 60 km ph is
A. 131 m
B. 210 m
C. 360 m
D. none of these.
Question 26
The basic formula for determination of pavement thickness was first suggested by
A. Spanglar
B. Picket
C. Kelly
D. Goldbeck
Question 27
The efficiency of the brakes of a vehicle depends upon
A. condition of road surface
B. condition of the tyres
C. presence of the show moisture
D. all the above.
Question 28
The head light of vehicles should be such that its lower beam illuminates objects at
A. 10 m
B. 20 m
C. 30 m
D. 40 m
Question 29
The length of the side of warning sign boards of roads is
A. 30 cm
B. 40 cm
C. 45 cm
D. 50 cm
Question 30
The minimum ratio of the radii of two circular curves of a compound curve, is kept
A. 1.25
B. 1.5
C. 1.75
D. 2
Question 31
The minimum value of camber provided for thin bituminous surface hill roads, is
A. 2.20%
B. 2.50%
C. 3.00%
D. 3.50%
Question 32
The period of long term plan for the development of roads in India, known as Bombay Plan (Aug. 1958), is
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 15 years
D. 20 years
Question 33
The total length of a valley formed by two gradients - 3% and + 2% curve between the two tangent points to provide a rate of change of centrifugal acceleration 0.6 m/sec2, for a design speed 100 km ph, is
A. 16.0 m
B. 42.3 m
C. 84.6 m
D. none of these.
Question 34
The type of transition curves generally provided on hill roads, is
A. circular
B. cubic parabola
C. Lemniscate
D. spiral.
Question 35
The usual width of parapet walls along Highways in hilly region, is
A. 50 cm
B. 60 cm
C. 70 cm
D. 80 cm
Question 36
The wall constructed for the stability of an excavated portion of a road on the hill side, is known as
A. retaining wall
B. breast wall
C. parapet wall
D. all the above.
Question 37
The weaving length of a roadway is the distance
A. between the channelising islands
B. equal to half circumference
C. equal to total width of adjoining radial roads
D. equal to diameter of rotary.
Question 38
Thickness of a pavement may be reduced considerably by
A. compaction of soil
B. stabilisation of soil
C. drainage of soil
D. combination of all the above.
Question 39
Traffic surveys are carried out
A. to know the type of traffic
B. to determine the facilities to traffic regulations
C. to design proper drainage system
D. all the above.
Question 40
Volume of traffic which would immediately use a new road or an improved one when opened to traffic, is known
A. development traffic
B. current traffic
C. general traffic
D. normal traffic growth.
Question 41
Width of vehicles affects the width of
A. lanes
B. shoulders
C. parking spaces
D. all the above.
Question 42
__________ is used in shaping the surface of sand-clay roads.
A. Hoes and rakes
B. Mattocks and bush hooks
C. Drag scraper
D. Plow
Question 43
___________ can provide a 3-5 dB reduction in tyre-pavement noise emissions.
A. Asphalt
B. Bituminous
C. Rubberised asphalt
D. Concrete
Question 44
A prime coat is low viscosity asphalt emulsion used to create bond between existing pavement and new asphalt overlay.
A. True
B. False
Question 45
How many types of pavement surfaces are there?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 2
Question 46
In car – centred approach, ___________ has been considered.
A. Importance of transport
B. Managing existing roads for future traffic
C. Controlling demand for transportation
D. Future increase in traffic demand
Question 47
In India roads are classified into ________ based on location.
A. 6
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Question 48
The administration of highway projects depends on __________ factors.
A. 2
B. 5
C. 3
D. 6
Question 49
The design consideration of highways doesn’t include:
A. Settlement
B. Cross section
C. Level of service
D. Sight distance
Question 50
The longest international highway is:
A. Pan-American highway
B. Trans-Canada highway
C. Karakoram highway
D. Australia highway 1
Question 51
Travel patterns are determined by compiling a profile of ___________ and ___________ of all journeys made within the area.
A. Origin, destination
B. Mode, destination
C. Origin, speed
D. Mode, speed
Question 52
The transition curve used in the horizontal alignment of highways as per IRC recommendations is
A. spiral
B. lemniscate
C. cubic parabola
D. any of the above
Question 53
If the stopping distance and average length of a vehicle are 18 m and 6 m respectively, then the theoretical maxi¬mum capacity of a traffic lane at a speed of 10 m/sec is
A. 1500 vehicles per hour
B. 2000 vehicles per hour
C. 2500 vehicles per hour
D. 3000 vehicles per hour
Question 54
The absolute minimum radius of curve for safe operation for a speed of 110 kmph is
A. 110 m
B. 220 m
C. 440 m
D. 577 m
Question 55
For the design of super elevation for mixed traffic conditions, the speed is reduced by
A. 15%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 75%
Question 56
If the average center to center spacing of vehicles is 20 meters, then the basic capacity of a traffic lane at a speed of 50 kmph is
A. 2500 vehicles per day
B. 2000 vehicles per hour
C. 2500 vehicles per hour
D. 1000 vehicles per hour
Question 57
Bottom most layer of pavement is known as
A. wearing course
B. base course
C. sub-base course
D. subgrade
Question 58
In case of hill roads, the extra widening is generally provided
A. equally on inner and outer sides of the curve
B. fully on the inner side of the curve
C. fully on the outer side of the curve
D. one-fourth on inner side and three-fourth on outer side of the curve
Question 59
On a horizontal curve if the pavement is kept horizontal across the alignment, then the pressure on the outer wheels will be
A. more than the pressure on inner wheels
B. less than the pressure on inner wheels
C. equal to the pressure on inner wheels
D. zero
Question 60
Desire lines are plotted in
A. traffic volume studies
B. speed studies
C. accident studies
D. origin and destination studies
Question 61
The shape of the camber, best suited for cement concrete pavements, is
A. straight line
B. parabolic
C. elliptical
D. combination of straight and parabolic
Question 62
The percentage compensation in gradient for ruling gradient of 4% and horizontal curve of radius 760 m is
A. 0.1 %
B. 1 %
C. 10%
D. no compensation
Question 63
Select the correct statement.
A. More the value of group index, less thickness of pavement will be required
B. More the value of CBR, greater thickness of pavement will be required
C. Minimum and maximum values of group index can be 0 and 20 respectively
D. All of the above
Question 64
The number of repetitions, which the pavement thickness designed for a given wheel load should be able to support during the life of pavement is
A. 1000
B. 10000
C. 100000
D. 1000000
Question 65
The maximum design gradient for vertical profile of a road is
A. ruling gradient
B. limiting gradient
C. exceptional gradient
D. minimum gradient
Question 66
Which of the following premix methods is used for base course ?
A. bituminous carpet
B. mastic asphalt
C. sheet asphalt
D. bituminous bound macadam
Question 67
As per IRC recommendations, the average level of illumination on important roads carrying fast traffic is
A. 10 lux
B. 15 lux
C. 20 lux
D. 30 lux
Question 68
Which of the following methods is preferred for collecting origin and destination data for a small area like a mass business center or a large intersection ?
A. road side interview method
B. license plate method
C. return postcard method
D. home interview method
Question 69
In highway construction on super elevated curves, the rolling shall proceed from
A. sides towards the centre
B. centre towards the sides
C. lower edge towards the upper edge
D. upper edge towards the lower edge
Question 70
Highway facilities are designed for
A. annual average hourly volume
B. annual average daily traffic
C. thirtieth highest hourly volume
D. peak hourly volume of the year
Question 71
The provision of traffic signals at intersections
A. reduces right angled and rear end collisions
B. increases right angled and rear end collisions
C. reduces right angled collisions but may increase rear end collisions
D. reduces rear end collisions but may increase right angled collisions
Question 72
In CBR test the value of CBR is calculated at
A. 2.5 mm penetration only
B. 5.0 mm penetration only
C. 7.5 mm penetration only
D. both 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm penetrations
Question 73
If aggregate impact value is 20 to 30 percent, then it is classified as
A. exceptionally strong
B. strong
C. satisfactory for road surfacing
D. unsuitable for road surfacing
Question 74
The camber of shoulders in water bound macadam roads is
A. equal to the cross slope of pavement
B. less than the cross slope of pavement
C. greater than the cross slope of pavement
D. zero
Question 75
The particular places where pedestrians are to cross the pavement are properly marked by the pavement marking known as
A. stop lines
B. turn markings
C. crosswalk lines
D. lane lines
Question 76
The ductility value of bitumen for suitability in road construction should not be less than
A. 30 cm
B. 40 cm
C. 50 cm
D. 60 cm
Question 77
The entrance and exit curves of a rotary have
A. equal radii and equal widths of pavement
B. equal radii but pavement width is more at entrance than at exit curve
C. equal pavement widths but radius is more at entrance curve than at exit curve
D. different radii and different widths of pavement
Question 78
The fundamental factor in the selection of pavement type is
A. climatic condition
B. type and intensity of traffic
C. subgrade soil and drainage conditions
D. availability of funds for the construction project
Question 79
Tie bars in cement concrete pavements are at
A. expansion joints
B. contraction joints
C. warping joints
D. longitudinal joints
Question 80
As per IRC recommendations, the maximum limit of super elevation for mixed traffic in plain terrain is
A. 1 in 15
B. 1 in 12.5
C. 1 in 10
D. equal to camber
Question 81
If b is the wheel track of a vehicle and h is the height of centre of gravity above road surface, then to avoid overturning and lateral skidding on a horizontal curve, the centrifugal ratio should always be
A. less than b/2h and greater than co-efficient of lateral friction
B. less than b/2h and also less than co-efficient of lateral friction
C. greater than b/2h and less than co-efficient of lateral friction
D. greater than b/2h and also greater than coefficient of lateral friction
Question 82
The most efficient traffic signal system is
A. simultaneous system
B. alternate system
C. flexible progressive system
D. simple progressive system
Question 83
The terrain may be classified as rolling terrain if the cross slope of land is
A. upto 10%
B. between 10% and 25%
C. between 25% and 60%
D. more than 60%
Question 84
Rigidity factor for a tyre pressure greater than 7 kg/cm² is
A. equal to 1
B. less than 1
C. greater than 1
D. zero
Question 85
Reaction time of a driver
A. increases with increase in speed
B. decreases with increase in speed
C. is same for all speeds
D. none of the above
Question 86
For rapid curing cutbacks, the oil used is
A. gasoline
B. kerosene oil
C. light diesel
D. heavy diesel
Question 87
“Dead Slow” is a
A. regulatory sign
B. warning sign
C. informatory sign
D. none of the above
Question 88
The aggregates required for one kilometer length of water bound macadam road per meter width and for 10 mm thickness is
A. 8 cubic meter
B. 10 cubic meter
C. 12 cubic meter
D. 15 cubic meter
Question 89
Length of a vehicle affects
A. width of traffic lanes
B. extra width of pavement and minimum turning radius
C. width of shoulders and parking facilities
D. clearance to be provided under structures such as overbridges, under-bridges etc.
Question 90
With increase in speed of the traffic stream, the minimum spacing of vehicles
A. increases
B. decreases
C. first decreases and then increases after reaching a minimum value at optimum speed
D. first increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum value at optimum speed
Question 91
With increase in speed of the traffic stream, the maximum capacity of the lane
A. increases
B. decreases
C. first increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum value at optimum speed
D. first decreases and then increases after reaching a minimum value at optimum speed
Question 92
The shoulder provided along the road edge should be
A. rougher than the traffic lanes
B. smoother than the traffic lanes
C. of same colour as that of the pavement
D. of very low load bearing capacity
Question 93
If the group index value of subgrade is between 5 and 9, then the subgrade is treated as
A. good
B. fair
C. poor
D. very poor
Question 94
In hill roads the side drains arc provided
A. only on the hill side of road
B. only on the opposite side of hill
C. on both sides of road
D. none of the above
Question 95
For water bound macadam roads in localities of heavy rainfall, the recommended value of camber is
A. 1 in 30
B. 1 in 36
C. 1 in 48
D. 1 in 60
Question 96
Maximum number of vehicles can be parked with
A. parallel parking
B. 30° angle parking
C. 45° angle parking
D. 90° angle parking
Question 97
The stopping sight distance depends upon
A. total reaction time of driver
B. speed of vehicle
C. efficiency of brakes
D. all of the above
Question 98
The thickness of bituminous carpet varies from
A. 20 to 25 mm
B. 50 to 75 mm
C. 75 to 100 mm
D. 100 to 120 mm
Question 99
Which of the following represents a carpet of sand-bitumen mix without coarse aggregates ?
A. mastic asphalt
B. sheet asphalt
C. bituminous carpet
D. bituminous concrete
Question 100
The desirable length of overtaking zone as per IRC recommendation is equal to
A. overtaking sight distance
B. two times the overtaking sight distance
C. three times the overtaking sight distance
D. five times the overtaking sight distance
Question 101
Most suitable material for highway embankments is
A. granular soil
B. organic soil
C. silts
D. clays
Question 102
For design, that length of transition curve should be taken which is
A. based on allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
B. based on rate of change of super elevation
C. higher of (A) and (B)
D. smaller of (A) and (B)
Question 103
When the speed of traffic flow becomes zero,then
A. traffic density attains maximum value whereas traffic volume becomes zero
B. traffic density and traffic volume both attain maximum value
C. traffic density and traffic volume both become zero
D. traffic density becomes zero whereas traffic volume attains maximum value
Question 104
Percentage of free carbon in bitumen is
A. more than that in tar
B. less than that in tar
C. equal to that in tar
D. none of the above
Question 105
If the design speed is V kmph and deviation angle is N radians, then the total length of a valley curve in meters is given by the expression
A. 0.38 N V3/2
B. 0.38 (NV3)”2
C. 3.8 NV”2
D. 3.8 (NV3)”2
Question 106
RC-2, MC-2 and SC-2 correspond to
A. same viscosity
B. viscosity in increasing order from RC-2 to SC-2
C. viscosity in decreasing order from RC-2 to SC-2
D. none of the above
Question 107
Equivalent factor of passenger car unit (PCU) for a passenger car as per IRC is
A. 1
B. 2
C. 0.5
D. 10
Question 108
When two equally important roads cross roughly at right angles, the suitable shape of central island is
A. circular
B. elliptical
C. tangent
D. turbine
Question 109
Which of the following is considered to be the highest quality construction in the group of black top pavements?
A. Mastic asphalt
B. Sheet asphalt
C. Bituminous carpet
D. Bituminous concrete
Question 110
The most suitable equipment for compacting clayey soils is a
A. smooth wheeled roller
B. pneumatic tyred roller
C. sheep foot roller
D. vibrator
Question 111
The critical combination of stresses for corner region in cement concrete roads is
A. Load stress + warping stress frictional stress
B. Load stress + warping stress + frictional stress
C. Load stress + warping stress
D. Load stress + frictional stress
Question 112
The maximum limit of water absorption for aggregate suitable for road construction is
A. 0.4 %
B. 0.6 %
C. 0.8 %
D. 1.0 %
Question 113
If ruling gradient is I in 20 and there is also a horizontal curve of radius 76 m, then the compensated grade should be
A. 3 %
B. 4%
C. 5 %
D. 6%
Question 114
Camber in the road is provided for
A. effective drainage
B. counteracting the centrifugal force
C. having proper sight distance
D. none of the above
Question 115
The function of an expansion joint in rigid pavements is to
A. Relieve warping stresses
B. Relieve shrinkage stresses
C. Resist stresses due to expansion
D. Allow free expansion
Question 116
The diagram which shows the approximate path of vehicles and pedestrians involved in accidents is known as
A. spot maps
B. pie charts
C. condition diagram
D. collision diagram
Question 117
Which of the following is known as design capacity ?
A. basic capacity
B. theoretical capacity
C. possible capacity
D. practical capacity
Question 118
Enoscope is used to find
A. average speed
B. spot speed
C. space-mean speed
D. time-mean speed
Question 119
If an ascending gradient of 1 in 50 meets a descending gradient of 1 in 50, the length of summit curve for a stopping sight distance of 80 m will be
A. zero
B. 64m
C. 80m
D. 60m
Question 120
The attainment of super elevation by rotation of pavement about the inner edge of the pavement
A. is preferable in steep terrain
B. results in balancing the earthwork
C. avoids the drainage problem in flat terrain
D. does not change the vertical alignment of road
Question 121
The ruling design speed on a National Highway in plain terrain as per IRC recommendations is
A. 60 kmph
B. 80 kmph
C. 100 kmph
D. 120 kmph