Geometric design, sight distance, traffic flow, capacity and signals, and pavement design.
NCEES lists these Transportation Engineering topics for the FE Civil: geometric design of streets, highways and intersections; pavement design: thickness, subgrade, drainage, rehabilitation; traffic capacity and flow theory; traffic control devices; transportation planning: travel forecasting, safety, conflict analysis.
Choose any section below to get a free FE Civil practice problem. Work it with the FE Reference Handbook open, tap your answer, then check the solution.
A simple circular curve joins two tangents that meet at deflection angle Δ.
A horizontal curve has a 6° degree of curve (arc definition) and a design speed of 55 mph, with superelevation e = 0.06. What side friction factor must the tires develop?
R = 5,729.58/D = 5,729.58/6 = 954.9 ft. e + f = V²/(15R) = 55²/[15(954.9)] = 0.211. f = 0.211 − 0.06 = 0.151.
Common trap: (B) Forgets to subtract the superelevation.
Horizontal CurveSuperelevationDegree of CurveCurve StationingSight DistanceThat was 1 of 4 problems in this section. The full course has the lesson, a worked example and every problem. Start your 3-day free trial →
A parabolic vertical curve joins grades G1 and G2 (decimals) over horizontal length L, centered on the PVI: PVC = PVI − L/2, and the PVC elevation is the PVI elevation − G1(L/2).
What is the stopping sight distance for a design speed of 65 mph on a 4% downgrade (t = 2.5 s, a = 11.2 ft/s²)?
Reaction = 1.47(65)(2.5) = 238.9 ft. Braking = 65²/[30(11.2/32.2 − 0.04)] = 4,225/[30(0.3078)] = 457.5 ft. SSD = 696 ft.
Common trap: (B) Ignores the grade and uses the level-road value.
Vertical CurveSight DistanceK ValueThat was 1 of 4 problems in this section. The full course has the lesson, a worked example and every problem. Start your 3-day free trial →
The basic relation is q = ku: flow (veh/h) = density (veh/mi) × space-mean speed (mph).
A freeway lane follows Greenshields' model with uf = 60 mph and kj = 150 veh/mi. Traffic is uncongested and the flow is 1,800 veh/h. What is the space-mean speed?
q = uf(k − k²/kj): 1,800 = 60k − 0.4k², so 0.4k² − 60k + 1,800 = 0. k = [60 ± √(3,600 − 2,880)]/0.8 = 41.5 or 108.5 veh/mi. Uncongested, so k = 41.5 veh/mi. u = q/k = 1,800/41.5 = 43.4 mph.
Common trap: (B) Takes the larger (congested) density root.
Flow Density SpeedGreenshieldsHeadwayThat was 1 of 4 problems in this section. The full course has the lesson, a worked example and every problem. Start your 3-day free trial →
Peak 15-minute flow rate = V/PHF (peak-hour factor PHF ≤ 1).
The peak-hour volume is 1,800 vph and PHF = 0.90. What is the peak 15-minute flow rate (hourly equivalent)?
v = V/PHF = 1,800/0.90 = 2,000 vph.
Common trap: (B) Multiplies by the PHF instead of dividing.
Highway CapacityLevel of ServiceSignal TimingThat was 1 of 4 problems in this section. The full course has the lesson, a worked example and every problem. Start your 3-day free trial →
Traffic is converted to equivalent 18-kip single-axle loads (ESALs): first-year design-lane ESAL = two-way trucks per day × directional split D × lane factor L × truck factor × 365.
A new highway will carry 1,200 trucks per day (both directions combined) with an average truck factor of 1.2 ESAL per truck. The directional split is 50/50 and 90% of trucks in one direction use the design lane. With 3% annual growth, what is the 20-year design-lane ESAL?
First year = 1,200(0.5)(0.9)(1.2)(365) = 236,520 ESALs. GF = [(1.03)20 − 1]/0.03 = 26.87. Design ESAL = 236,520(26.87) = 6,355,381 ≈ 6.36 million.
Common trap: (B) Leaves out the 50% directional split.
Pavement DesignESALStructural NumberThat was 1 of 4 problems in this section. The full course has the lesson, a worked example and every problem. Start your 3-day free trial →
Newton’s Notes FE Civil has 18 chapters (11 shared with Mechanical, 7 Civil-only) with lessons, worked examples and 420+ FE-style practice problems with full solutions, 171 of them Civil-only. Pro adds a timed full-length FE Civil practice exam (110 problems), a custom test builder and Ask Newton, the AI tutor. Try it free for 3 days, no card to start.
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