MOT Advanced Warning Sign Placement 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which MUTCD table is used to determine advance warning sign spacing for work zones?
- Table 6C-1 (Correct answer)
- Table 6D-2
- Table 6H-3
- Table 6E-1
Correct answer: Table 6C-1
MUTCD Table 6C-1 provides recommended advance warning sign spacing distances based on posted or statutory speed.
Question 2: A work zone on a 35 mph residential street requires how many advance warning signs at minimum according to standard practice?
- One sign is sufficient
- At least two signs spaced appropriately (Correct answer)
- Three signs with equal spacing
- Four signs regardless of zone length
Correct answer: At least two signs spaced appropriately
Even on lower-speed roads, at least two advance warning signs are typically required to provide progressive warning to approaching drivers.
Question 3: On a divided highway with a median barrier, how should advance warning signs be handled for both directions?
- Signs are only needed in the direction of travel affected by the work
- Each direction of travel must be treated as a separate roadway with its own sign sequence (Correct answer)
- One set of oversized signs placed at the median can serve both directions
- Signs are not required on divided highways under 65 mph
Correct answer: Each direction of travel must be treated as a separate roadway with its own sign sequence
Each direction on a divided highway is an independent roadway and must have its own complete advance warning sign sequence.
Question 4: What background color are temporary traffic control signs for work zones required to have?
- White with black legend
- Orange with black legend (Correct answer)
- Yellow with black legend
- Red with white legend
Correct answer: Orange with black legend
MUTCD mandates orange background with black legend for all temporary traffic control signs in work zones.
Question 5: A flagger station is located 500 feet from the last advance warning sign at 45 mph. Is this compliant with MUTCD guidance?
- Yes, 500 feet always satisfies MUTCD requirements
- No, the recommended advance distance at 45 mph is at least 500 feet before the first sign, not the flagger station (Correct answer)
- Yes, provided a police officer is also present
- No, flagger stations must always be 1000 feet from the last sign
Correct answer: No, the recommended advance distance at 45 mph is at least 500 feet before the first sign, not the flagger station
Advance warning signs must be placed well before the taper, not before the flagger, so drivers receive warning at the full recommended distance.
Question 6: Which condition requires increasing the standard advance warning sign distance beyond the MUTCD table values?
- Work zone on a straight, flat rural highway
- Work zone located at the bottom of a vertical sag curve (Correct answer)
- Work zone in clear daytime weather
- Work zone with no lane closures
Correct answer: Work zone located at the bottom of a vertical sag curve
A vertical sag curve can restrict sight lines; when stopping sight distance is limited, advance warning signs must be moved further back.
Question 7: What does the term 'tangent distance' refer to in advance warning sign placement?
- The length of the taper leading into the closed lane
- The straight-line distance at which a sign is first visible to an approaching driver (Correct answer)
- The distance between consecutive advance warning signs
- The total length of the work zone including buffer space
Correct answer: The straight-line distance at which a sign is first visible to an approaching driver
Tangent distance is the unobstructed line-of-sight distance from which a driver on a straight alignment can first read a sign.
MOT Advanced Warning Sign Placement 3
Which MUTCD table is used to determine advance warning sign spacing for work zones?