GROUP STUDY

Surveying & Basic Transportation Engg

1. A line AB between the stations A and
B was measured as 348.28 using a 20 m
tape, too short by 0.05 m. Determine
the correct length of AB

A. 349.15 C. 347.41
B. 348.01 D. 348.93
ANS. 347.41 m
2. If sensitivity of a bubble tube is 30″ per 2
mm division what would be the error
in staff reading on a vertically held staff
at a distance of 200 m when the bubble
is out of centre by 2.5 divisions?

A. 0.063 C. 0.036
B. 0.603 D. 0.306
ANS. 0.036 m
3. The sum of the positive departure exceeds
that of the negative departures by 0.31 m.
The sum of negative latitudes exceeds that of
the positive latitudes by 1.67 m. Determine the
corrected latitude of 48.12 m line whose
latitude is 21.09 m. The sum of the sides is
measured to be 292.52 m.

A. 21.04 m C. 20.82 m
B. 21.14 m D. 21.36 m
ANS. 21.36 m
4. A points is sighted from a transit and
found to have a stadia intercept of 0.6 m.
The distance of the stadia rod from the
transit is 61.2 m. If f + c is 0.3m, determine
the stadia constant.

A. 101.5 C. 99.8
B. 100.7 D. 99.2
ANS. 101.5
5. A vein has a strike of N43deg20minW. A
drift on the vein having a grade of 2% has
a bearing of N47deg20minW. Compute
the dip of the vein.

A. 14 deg C. 18 deg
B. 10 deg D. 16 deg
ANS. 16 deg
6. In the two peg-test method of a dumpy level the
following observations were taken.
Instrument set up near A Instrument set up near B

Rod reading on A 1.505 m 0.938 m

Rod reading on B 2.054 m 1.449 m

If the line of sight is not in adjustment, determine the

correct rod reading on A with the instrument still set up
at B.

A. 0.919 m C. 0.119 m
B. 0.991 m D. 0.191 m
ANS. 0.919 m
7. A line of levels is run from BM1 to BM2 which is 12 km
long. Elevation of BM1 was found out to be 100m and
that of BM2 is 125.382 m. Backsight and foresight
distances were 150 m and 100 m respectively.
Determine the corrected elevation of BM2 considering
the effect of curvature and refraction correction.

A. 124.14386 m C. 124.34168 m
B. 124.31468 m D. 124.43168 m
ANS. 125.34168 m
8. A substense bar is mounted at a certain distance
from the instrument and the angle subtended by the
bar is 0deg4min. Compute the horizontal distance
from the instrument station to the location of the
substense bar.

A. 1,718.87 m C. 7181.87 m
B. 1,178.78 m D. 1871.87 m
ANS. 1,718.87 m
9. From the following measured interior angles of a five
sided figure. Determine the value of angle A.
Station Value of Angles No. of Measurements
A 110deg 2
B 98deg 3
C 108deg 4
D 120deg 6
E 105deg 4

A. 107deg 50min C. 106deg 20min

B. 119deg 53min D. 109deg 40min
ANS. 109deg 40min
10. A 50 m tape of standard length has a weight of 0.05
kg/m, with a cross sectional area of 0.04 sq.cm. It has a
modulus of elasticity of 2.10 x 10^6 kg/cm^2. The tape is of
standard length under a pull of 5.5 kg when supported
throughout its length and a temp of 20 C. This tape was used
to measure distance between A and B and was recorded to
be 458.65 m long. At the time of measurement the pull
applied was 8 kg with the tape supported only at its end
points and the temperature observed was 18 C. Assuming
coefficient of linear expansion of the tape is 0.0000116/C.
Compute the true length of the measured line AB due to the
combined effects of tension, sag and temperature.
A. 456.821 m C. 460.521 m
B. 459.534 m D. 456.287 m
ANS. 456.821m
The Southern Luzon Expressway was design to carry a
freeflow speed of 50 kph and a capacity of 4000 vehicles
per hour. At a certain point near the intersection of a
road leading to Laguna there were 3600 vehicles
counted, what is the space mean speed of these
vehicles?

A. 34.6 C. 36.4
B. 32.9 D. 39.2
ANS. 32.9
A toll bridge from Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu City carries
5000 veh per day. The present toll fee is P1.50. When
the toll fee is increased by P0.25, traffic volume will
decrease by 500 veh per day. It is desired to increase
the toll fee to a point where revenue will be maximum.
Determine the toll charge to maximize revenue.

A. 1.50 B. 1.75
C. 2.00 D. 2.25
ANS. 2.00
A ramp meter operates during the morning peak-period from
6:00 to 12:00 AM. The following data gives the number of
vehicles demanding service on the ramp of SLEX during the time
between 6:00 to 6:40 AM. Determine the service rate for the
meter, which allows one vehicle per cycle to pass the signal
between 6:20 to 6:40 AM.

Time period 20-min volume Meter Cycle,s

6:00-6:20 AM 80 10
6:20-6:40 AM 120 12
A. 100 vehicles C. 180 vehicles
B. 120 vehicles D. 200 vehicles
ANS. 100 vehicles
The Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is designed to
have a roadway capacity of 120 vehicles per minute. But
due to resurfacing of the portion of the expressway, the
road capacity was reduced to 60 vehicles per minute. The
traffic arrivals are 80 vehicles per minute. The traffic then
resumes 30 minutes. Compute the maximum length of
queue if the average length of one car is 4.5 m.

A. 600 m C. 700 m
B. 2600 m D. 2700 m
ANS. 2700 m
The highest 10-minute traffic volume of traffic
is 500 vehicles. If the Peak-hour-factor is 0.6,
what is the volume on veh/hr?

A. 1800 C. 2400
B. 2000 D. 3000
ANS. 1800
Morning peak traffic upstream of a toll booth is given below. The toll
plaza consists of three booths, each of which can handle an average
of one vehicle every 6 s. Using queuing diagram, determine the total
delay. (Nov 2021)
Time period 10-min. volume Cumulative volume
7:00-7:10 200 200
7:10-7:20 400 600
7:20-7:30 500 1100
7:30-7:40 250 1350
7:40-7:50 200 1550
7:50-8:00 150 1700

A. 1.44 veh-h B. 1.66 veh-h

C. 1.55 veh-h D. 1.33 veh-h
ANS. 1.33 veh-h
The number of accidents for 6 years recorded in a certain
section of highway is 5892. If the average daily traffic is
476, what is the accident rate per million entering
vehicles? [CE Board Nov 2018]

A. 5547 B. 5893
C. 5712 D. 5652
ANS. 5652
Data on a traffic accident recorded for the past 5 years on a certain
stretch of a two-lane highway is tabulated as follow.
Compute the severity ratio.
Year Property Damage Injury Fatal
1960 110 42 4
1961 210 54 2
1962 182 60 5
1963 240 74 7
1964 175 94 6

A. 0.175 C. 0.375
B. 0.275 D. 0.475
ANS. 0.275
Morning peak period starts from 6:30 AM up to 7:30 AM in an off-
ramp meter of TPLEX which allows one vehicle per cycle to pass the
signal. The tabulated data shows the number of vehicles demanding
service on the ramp during a particular time interval.
Time Period 10 min. volume Cumulative Meter Cycle
volume (sec)
6:30-6:40 80 80 6
6:40-6:50 90 170 10
6:50-7:00 100 270 12
7:00-7:10 60 330 10
7:10-7:20 70 400 6
7:20-7:30 50 450 6
Determine the maximum number of vehicles in the ramp queue.
A. 50 veh C. 70 veh
B. 60 veh D. 80 veh
ANS. 80 veh
Morning peak period starts from 6:30 AM up to 7:30 AM in an off-
ramp meter of TPLEX which allows one vehicle per cycle to pass the
signal. The tabulated data shows the number of vehicles demanding
service on the ramp during a particular time interval.
Time Period 10 min. volume Cumulative volume Meter Cycle (sec)
6:30-6:40 80 80 6
6:40-6:50 90 170 10
6:50-7:00 100 270 12
7:00-7:10 60 330 10
7:10-7:20 70 400 6
7:20-7:30 50 450 6

Determine the total delay due to queuing on the ramp in vehhr.

A. 40 veh-hr C. 60 veh-hr
B. 50 veh-hr D. 70 veh-hr
ANS. 40 veh-hr
It is the maximum sustainable flow rate at
which vehicles or persons reasonably can be
expected to traverse a point or uniform
segment of a lane or roadway during a
specified time, and control conditions; usually
expressed as vehicles per hour, passenger cars
per hour, or persons per hour.
A. Capacity
B. Volume
C.Density
D. Traffic
ANS. Capacity
Primary consideration in the design of
geometric cross-section of highways, runways,
and taxiways.

A.Shoulder
B.Drainage
C.Roadway
D.Parking space
ANS. Drainage
One of the provisions of safety sight distance
depends on the characteristics of the vehicle
which are as follows:
I. Type of vehicles, car or truck
II. Friction between the tire and road
III. Eye height of the driver
IV. Speed of vehicle
A.I only
B. II and III only
C.IV only
D.All of the above
ANS. All of the above
Provisions of safety sight distance depends on
the characteristics of the road environment
which are as follows:
I. Road Geometry
II. Road Surface
III. Road illumination at night
IV. Road topography
A. I and IV only
B. I, II and III only
C. II and IV only
D. All of the above
ANS. I, II and III only
Inform and advise road users of directions, distances,
routes, the location of services for road users and
points of interest.

A. Cross road sign

B. Guide signs
C. Advance direction signs
D. Traffic instruction signs
ANS. Guide signs
The difference between the actual travel time and a
given segment of a transportation system and some
ideal travel time for that segment.

A. Queue time
B. Travel time
C. Delay
D. Service Time
ANS. Delay
Device mounted on a fixed support (permanent
signs) or portable support whereby a specific
message is conveyed by means of words or symbols
placed or erected for the purpose of regulating,
warning, or guiding traffic

A. Roadwork signs
B. Overhead signs
C. Traffic signs
D. Guide signs
ANS. Traffic signs
Warn road users of condition on or adjacent to the
road that may be unexpected or hazardous.

A. Roadwork signs
B. Warning signs
C. Traffic signs
D. Guide signs
ANS. Warning signs
Standard sign shape for facility information
signs, instruction signs, guide signs, and
destinations of point of interest.
A. Pentagon
B. Circle
C. Equilateral triangle
D. Rectangle
ANS. Rectangle
Standard sign shape for warning signs.
A. Pentagon
B. Circle
C. Equilateral triangle
D. Rectangle
ANS. Equilateral triangle
May 2018
An existing highway with bearing of N 20° E is to
be connected to another highway, with bearing of
N 75° E, by a 4° simple curve. What length of curve
is required?

ANS. 275 m
Situation
The tangents of a 3° simple curve have bearings of
due North and N 66°12’ E respectively.
1. What is the central angle of the curve?
2. Calculate the external distance.
3. Calculate the length of the long chord.

ANS. 66°12’ ; 73.99 m ; 417.19 m

Situation
The tangents of a 3° simple curve have bearings of
due North and N 66°12’ E respectively.
4. If PI is at STA. 10 + 020, determine STA. PT.
5. If a deflection angle of 20° is observed on a point on the
curve from PC, determine its stationing.
6. If a deflection angle of 20° is observed on a point on the
curve from PC, determine its offset distance from the
tangent.
7. Determine the offset of PT from tangent through PC.

ANS. 10 + 212.33 ; 10 + 037.67 ; 89.36 m ; 227.83 m

Nov 2018
A common tangent AB of a compound curve is
85.36 m. The angles that the common tangent
makes with the tangent through PC and PT of the
compound curve are 22°20’ and 15°40’,
respectively. If the degree of the first curve is 3°30’,
What is the degree of the second curve?

ANS. 7.60°
Nov 2016
A compound curve has the following properties:
I1 = 24°, D1 = 6°, I2 = 36°, D2=4°,
and sta.PC = 10 + 420.
1. Find the stationing of PCC.
2. Find the stationing of PT.
3. Find the length of the long chord.

ANS. 10 + 500 ; 10 + 680 ; 249.02 m

Situation
A reversed curve consist of two curves of equal
radius. The curve is to connect two parallel roads
that are 60 meters apart. The length of the
common tangent is 180 meters.

1. Compute the angle of intersection of the curve.

2. Compute the common radius of the curve.
3. Find the length of the curve from PC to PT.

ANS. 19.47° ; 524.56 m; 356.53 m

May 2016
The perpendicular distance between two parallel
tangents of a reverse curve is 7.5 m and the length
of the long chord is equal to 75 m. Compute the
common radius of the curve.

ANS. 187.5 m
Nov 2015
A spiral easement curve has a length of 100 m with
300-m radius central curve. The tangents intersects
at an angle of 80°.
1. Calculate the offset distance from tangent to the
third-quarter point of the spiral.
2. Determine the length of throw.
3. Determine the deflection angle from the TS to the end of
the spiral.

ANS. 2.34 m ; 1.39 m ; 3.18°

Nov 2015
A spiral easement curve has a length of 100 m with
300-m radius central curve. The tangents intersects
at an angle of 80°.
4. Determine the tangent distance.
5. Determine the distance along the tangent to the
first-quarter point of the spiral.
6. Determine the length of the short tangent.

ANS. 302.90 m ; 25 m ; 33.49 m

Nov 2015
A spiral easement curve has a length of 100 m with
300-m radius central curve. The tangents intersects
at an angle of 80°.
7. Determine the long tangent distance.
8. Determine the central angle of the simple curve.
9. Determine the external distance.

ANS. 66.70 m ; 60.90° ; 93.43 m

May 2018
On a railroad, a +0.8% grade meets a -0.4% grade at
station 2 + 700 and at elevation 30 m. The maximum
allowable change in grade per 20-m station is 0.2%.

1. Determine the length of the curve.

2. Determine the station of the summit.
3. Determine the elevation of the summit.
4. Determine the elevation of station 2 + 740.

ANS. 120 m; 2 + 720 ; 29.84 m ; 29.82 m

May 2017
A descending grade of 4.2% intersects an ascending
grade of 3% at station 12 + 325 at elevation 17.30 m.
These two grades are to be connected by a 260 m
vertical parabolic curve. A reinforced concrete culvert
pipe with overall diameter of 105cm is to be
constructed with its top 30 cm below the subgrade.
What will be the invert elevation?

ANS. 18.225 m