Spring 2013

CE361: Final Exam Study Guide (Fricker & Whitford)

(The final exam has two parts – a closed book and an open book part.)

The final exam focuses on the topics covered after the midterm 2. However, due to its comprehensive nature of the final examination,it will contain several questions related to the topics covered by midterm 1 and 2.

The best way to review for Part II: Computational Problems is to review homework assignment problems. For fill-ins, definitions, and short essays, review carefully the topics listed below.

Part I contains a mix of definitions, fill-ins, short essays, and simple computations. A sheet containing formulas will be attached to the exam sheet if necessary. However, you have to memorize some formulas, which are indicated below in blue font for the open part. Part II contains computation problems. However, Part I may contain a few questions that require computations.

  • Chapter 1.
  • None
  • Chapter 2 (In both the Closed and Open book sections)
  • Speed-density relationship, speed-flow relationship, density-flow relationship (q = uk or q = SD)
  • The Greenshields model – a linear speed-density relationship.
  • The Poisson model – know the meaning of P(n) and how to use the formula.
  • The time between vehicle arrivals – the Negative exponential model. Know the meaning of P(0) = P(X >= x).
  • Chapter 3
  • None
  • Chapter 4
  • None
  • Chapter 5
  • None

Chapter 6 (In the Closedand Open book section)

  • Know how to estimate the number of crashes prevented, in one year or over the life time of improvement measures
  • Know how to determine crash rates for intersections and mid-links.
  • Perception-reaction time/distance, PIEV
  • Braking distance
  • Stopping sight distance
  • Slowing sight distance

Chapter 7 (In the Closed book section only)

  • Be familiar with vertical curve formulas
  • Know how to compute elevation and station values given certain conditions
  • Be familiar with horizontal curve formulas
  • Know how to determine the length of crest and sag vertical curves
  • Passing sight distance calculation by the AASHTO shortcut method (concept).
  • Relationship between radius, side friction, and superelevation
  • Know how to determine the lengths of superelevation runoff and tangent runout and how to determine STA’s for key locations of these curves (concept)

Chapter 8 (In the Closed book section only)

  • Terms related to non-signalized and signalized intersections and timing
  • Know how to estimate the value of critical gap
  • Know how to determine the lengths of accepted and rejected gap or lag
  • Know how to determine whether a Yield or a STOP sign is needed at an intersection
  • Know how to apply the volume warrant discussed in the textbook
  • Know how to determine optimal yellow interval (meaning removing the dilemma zone)
  • Know how to apply “stopping” and “clearing” formulas at yellow interval and estimate dilemma zone length
  • Chapter 9 (In both the Closed & Open book sections)
  • Typical pavement structure
  • Pavement quality measurements – PSI, IRI, PSR and their relationship
  • Requirements for asphalt pavements (top layer)
  • ESAL determination formulas for single and tandem axles
  • Determining lifetime ESALs for pavement design
  • What is the structural number (SN)?
  • AASHTO’s flexible pavement design method. Know how to use the nomograph for this method (9.3.3 and Example 9.4)
  • What’s a pavement management system? And its three components?
  • What are the five data components of a pavement management system (as discussed by the text)
  • What types of analysis can be done if a pavement management system database is functional?
  • Chapter 10 (In both the Closed & Open sections)
  • Definition of public mass transportation
  • Vucan Vuchic’s classification of public transit modes by right of way and their examples
  • Goal of providing service by public transit
  • Calculations related to rail transit vehicle regimes (5 regimes)
  • Definition of elasticity, “elastic”, “inelastic”, fare elasticity, frequency elasticity, etc
  • Calculating shrinkage ratios
  • Finding whether the market is elastic or inelastic
  • Efficiency vs. effectiveness
  • Typical performance and mobility related measures
  • Chapter 12 (In the Closed section only)
  • Freight movement and economy (Section 12.1)
  • Types of surface freight modes and why certain mode is chosen to transport certain type of commodity (Section 12.2)
  • Chapter 13(In both the Closed & Open book sections)
  • Definition of sustainability
  • Types of measures that can be taken to foster a sustainable community
  • What are the three increasingly visible ways for describing urban congestion?
  • Out-of-pocket cost and hidden cost
  • Energy use levels by different modes
  • Energy intensity (Examples 13.3 through 13.6)
  • Typical pollutants from a combustion engine
  • Components of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) (List them)
  • Delay and user cost calculations (Examples 13.7 and 13.8).
  • What are CAAA, ISTEA, TEA-21, NAAQS (from your reading)?