MOT Traffic Control Devices & Placement Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum distance a Type III barricade must be placed in advance of a work zone obstruction on a road with a 45 mph speed limit?
- 100 feet
- 250 feet (Correct answer)
- 350 feet
- 500 feet
Correct answer: 250 feet
On roads with a 45 mph speed limit, the taper length and advance placement require devices at approximately 250 feet ahead of the obstruction per MUTCD guidelines.
Question 2: Which retroreflective sheeting grade is the MINIMUM required for temporary traffic control signs used in nighttime work zones?
- Engineer Grade (Type I)
- High Intensity (Type III) (Correct answer)
- Diamond Grade (Type IX)
- Fluorescent (Type XI)
Correct answer: High Intensity (Type III)
High Intensity retroreflective sheeting (Type III) is the minimum required for temporary traffic control signs in nighttime work zones per MUTCD standards.
Question 3: A channelizing device spacing table in the MUTCD is based primarily on which factor?
- Number of workers in the zone
- Posted speed limit of the roadway (Correct answer)
- Width of the work zone
- Type of construction equipment used
Correct answer: Posted speed limit of the roadway
Channelizing device spacing is primarily determined by the posted or statutory speed limit of the roadway as specified in MUTCD tables.
Question 4: When placing cones to create a taper merging two lanes into one, the cone spacing within the taper should be:
- Uniform and equal throughout (Correct answer)
- Wider at the beginning and closer together at the end
- Closer together at the beginning and wider at the end
- Based solely on worker preference
Correct answer: Uniform and equal throughout
Cones within a taper should be spaced uniformly throughout the taper length to guide drivers smoothly into the single lane.
Question 5: A Flagger Ahead sign (W20-7a) is classified under what sign category?
- Regulatory sign
- Warning sign (Correct answer)
- Guide sign
- Information sign
Correct answer: Warning sign
The Flagger Ahead sign (W20-7a) is a warning sign, indicated by its diamond shape and yellow background.
Question 6: When must a shadow vehicle (truck-mounted attenuator) be used in a work zone?
- Only on interstates with speeds above 55 mph
- Whenever workers are exposed to moving traffic on high-speed roadways (Correct answer)
- Only during nighttime operations
- Only when a flagger is not present
Correct answer: Whenever workers are exposed to moving traffic on high-speed roadways
Shadow vehicles with truck-mounted attenuators are required whenever workers are exposed to moving traffic on high-speed roadways to absorb errant vehicle impacts.
Question 7: Under the MUTCD, what background color is used on all temporary traffic control signs?
- Yellow
- Orange (Correct answer)
- Red
- White
Correct answer: Orange
Orange background is the standard color for all temporary traffic control (work zone) signs as specified in the MUTCD.
MOT Traffic Control Devices & Placement Standards 2
What is the minimum distance a Type III barricade must be placed in advance of a work zone obstruction on a road with a 45 mph speed limit?