Transportation Exam #1

What is an MPO

Metropolitan Planning Organization; a transportation policy-making body made up of representatives from local government agencies with authority in urban planning areas

STIP

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

LRSTP

Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan

TIP

Transportation Improvement Program

DDHV

Directional Design Hourly Volume

NACTO

National Association of City Transportation Officials

FHWA

Federal Highway Administration

AASHTO

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

FDOT

Florida Department of Transportation

Describe the importance of SAFETEA-LU

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; focused on safety, accountability, and equity, requiring states to develop HSIP (Highway Safety Improvement Program)

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act

CAA

Clean Air Act

HTF

Highway Trust Fund

UPWP

Unified Planning Work Program

MTP / LRTP

Metropolitan Transportation Plan / Long-Range Transportation Plan

PPD

Passenger/Person Delivery

What is Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)?

Measures overall private motorized vehicle usage across a road network regardless of occupancy; serves as a key indicator of travel demand, traffic growth, emissions, and infrastructure impact in transportation planning.

What happens at Jam Density?

The point at which traffic density reaches maximum capacity, vehicles stop moving, and speed drops to $0\,mph$, resulting in zero flow.

What is Level of Service (LOS)?

A qualitative measure characterizing operational traffic conditions and motorist perception (rated from A [free flow] to F [over capacity/breakdown]) based on performance measures like density or delay.

Describe Interstates

Highest arterial class, fully access-controlled (ramps only), built for high-speed, long-distance mobility.

Describe Minor Arterials

Lower functional class providing service for moderate trip lengths at lower speeds, connecting smaller geographic areas to major arterials.

Describe Mobility

Ability to move people/goods quickly over long distances (high speed, limited access, e.g., freeways).

Describe Access

Direct entry to land uses and abutting properties (low speed, frequent driveways, e.g., local streets).

What is the 3C Planning Process?

Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative urban transportation planning required for areas greater than $50,000$ population.

Name the Basic Elements of the 3C Planning Process

Economic factors, Population, Land use, Travel patterns, and Financial resources.

Describe PIEV

Perception, Identification (or Intellection), Emotion, Volition — the 4-stage human processing model determining driver reaction time and distance.

Describe Continuous Flow Facilities

Facilities that have no external interruptions like traffic signals or stop signs (e.g., freeways).

Describe Interrupted Flow Facilities

Facilities that rely on traffic control devices (e.g., urban signalized arterials).

List the 4 Data Collection Technologies

The 4 primary traffic data collection tools: Inductive Loops, Pneumatic Tubes, Video/Image Processing, and Radar/LIDAR Sensors.

List the Roadway Facility Hierarchy

Network elements defining highway systems: Points (intersections, ramp junctions), Segments (basic freeway, weaving, ramp), Facilities (freeways, arterial corridors), and Networks.

What is Passing Sight Distance (PSD)?

The minimum distance required for a driver to safely pass another vehicle in the opposing traffic lane on a two-lane highway.

What is Transportation?

Movement of people and goods from one place to another.

What are the Physical Elements of a Transportation System?

Vehicles, Infrastructure, Equipment, Control / Communication & Location Systems.

What are the Key Modes of PPD?

Aviation, Mass Transit / Passenger Rail, Highways, Water, Pipelines, Active Transportation, Digital Networks.

What is a Traffic Stream?

A collection of vehicles moving along a roadway.

What is the Highway Beautification Act?

Act aimed at enhancing roadside beautification and controlling outdoor advertising.

What are the Four Steps in Transportation Demand Modelling?

Trip generation, Trip distribution, Mode choice, and Traffic assignment.

Describe the applications of Travel Demand Modeling

Evaluate transportation projects, Estimate future traffic volumes, and Identify areas needing infrastructure investment.

What are some technologies for traffic data collection?

Tube counters, Inductive loop detectors, Piezoelectric sensors.

List three roadway elements as mentioned in the HCM

Points, Segments, Facilities

MPO

Metropolitan Planning Organization

SAFETEA-LU

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

What was the CAA?

The CAA of 1990 defined transportation through the concept of transportation conformity, which requires federally supported highways, transit plans, and projects to align with a state's broader air quality goals.