PE Transportation Cheat Sheet

Project Management

7-12% of exam
CPM & Float Cost Estimating Earthwork Volume Buy vs Rent

Traffic Engineering

12-19% of exam
LOS & Capacity PHF & v/c Trip Generation Safety & CMFs HCM 6th Edition

Roadside & Cross-Section

8-14% of exam
Clear Zone Widths Slope Categories Barriers & Crash Cushions ADA Cross Slope

Horizontal Design

10-15% of exam
Degree of Curve Superelevation e+f Middle Ordinate Curve Widening

Vertical Design

10-15% of exam
SSD Formula Crest Curve Length Sag Curve Length K-Value

Intersection Geometry

8-14% of exam
ISD Formula Roundabout Elements Interchange Types Turn Lane Warrants

Traffic Signals

6-10% of exam
Yellow Interval All-Red Clearance Signal Warrants Pedestrian Timing

Traffic Control Design

6-10% of exam
MUTCD Sign Classes Taper Length TTC Zone Layout Device Spacing

Geotechnical & Pavement

7-12% of exam
CBR & Resilient Modulus Structural Number SN Flexible vs Rigid Compaction & Earthwork

Drainage

10-15% of exam
Rational Method Manning's Equation Culvert Control Detention & BMPs

Quick Facts

Exam PE Civil Transportation depth
Body NCEES
Format 80-question single CBT
Time 9-hour appointment, 8-hour work
Scoring Scaled cut score, no fixed %
Fee $400 NCEES exam fee
Pass rate 55% first-time, 42% repeat
Retake wait 90 days to next window
References NCEES Handbook plus 9 standards
Provider Pearson VUE, year-round testing

Scheduling & Cost Basics PR

CPM Longest path sets duration
Total float Delay without delaying project
Free float Slack before next activity
Crash cost Cost to shorten one day
Break-even buy vs rent Purchase minus salvage over rent
Average end area method Volume = L times avg area
Present worth Converts future cost to today
Bid quantity Engineer's estimated pay quantity

PHF Formula Anchor TR

Divide hour volume by four times peak 15
V over 4×V15 Range 0.25 to 1.0 Closer to 1 = flatter demand

Capacity & Flow Basics TR

PHF formula V / (4×V15)
v/c ratio Demand over capacity
LOS grades A best to F worst
Capacity Max sustainable flow rate
DHV / AADT Design hour vs annual avg
Trip generation ITE rates by land use
Modal split Share of trips by mode

Safety & Analysis Terms TR

Crash rate (MEV) Crashes per million entering vehicles
CMF Less than 1 = fewer crashes
HSM AASHTO Highway Safety Manual
Conflict point Location paths cross or merge
Collision diagram Plots crash type and location
HCM 6th edition 2016 TRB capacity reference

Exam Reference Standards TR

AASHTO GDHS-7 7th ed 2018 Green Book
AASHTO RSDG-4 4th ed 2011 roadside guide
AASHTO HSM-1 1st ed 2010 safety manual
HCM 6th edition 2016 TRB, four volumes
MUTCD 2009 With Revisions 1 and 2
AASHTO MEPDG-3 3rd ed 2022 pavement guide
AASHTO GDPS-4-M 4th ed 1993 pavement design
AASHTO GPF-2 2nd ed 2021 pedestrian guide
FHWA HDS-5 3rd ed 2012 culvert design

Slope Category Order RO

Recoverable flattest, then non-recoverable, then critical steepest
1V:4H recoverable 1V:3H to 4H non-recoverable Steeper than 1V:3H critical

Recoverable vs Critical Slope RO

Recoverable (1V:4H+)

Most drivers regain control
Flattest, safest slope category

Critical (steeper than 1V:3H)

Vehicle rollover risk high
Needs barrier or flattening
Steeper slope = higher rollover risk

Roadside & Barrier Terms RO

Clear zone Recoverable roadside border area
Recoverable slope 1V:4H or flatter
Non-recoverable slope Steeper than 1V:4H, traversable
Critical slope Steeper than 1V:3H, rollover risk
Crash cushion Absorbs impact before fixed object
Longitudinal barrier warrant Off-road hazard worse than hit
ADA cross slope Max 2% (1:48) sidewalk
Shared-use path Combined bike and pedestrian path

Which Horizontal Curve Formula HO

Need curve sharpness value → D=5729.58/R degree of curve
Need superelevation rate → e+f=V²/15R gives e
Need min radius for design speed → Rmin=V²/(15(emax+fmax))
Sight-blocking object on inside → m=R(1-cos(28.65S/R))
Need distance to arc midpoint → M=R(1-cos(Δ/2))
Sharp curve, wide design vehicle → Add pavement widening on curve

Horizontal Curve Formulas HO

Degree of curve D=5729.58/R
Middle ordinate M=R(1-cos(Δ/2))
Superelevation formula e+f=V²/15R
Min radius formula Rmin=V²/(15(emax+fmax))
Horizontal sight offset m=R(1-cos(28.65S/R))
Curve widening More width, smaller sharper radius
Compound curve Two curves, same direction, differing radii
Reverse curve Two curves, opposite directions, no tangent

Vertical Curve Length Constants VE

Crest divides by 2158, sag by 400 plus 3.5S
Crest: L=AS²/2158 Sag: L=AS²/(400+3.5S) K=L/A both curves

Crest vs Sag Curve Length VE

Crest curve

Governed by stopping sight distance
Constant 2158 in formula

Sag curve

Governed by headlight sight distance
Constant 400+3.5S in formula
Crest uses SSD; sag uses headlight

Pick The Right Sight Distance VE

Stopping on level tangent → SSD=1.47Vt+V²/30a
Downgrade or upgrade present → Add ±G inside SSD term
Cresting hill, blocked view → L=AS²/2158 crest formula
Dipping sag at night → L=AS²/(400+3.5S) headlight rule
Passing on two-lane road → Use PSD, much longer than SSD
Entering from stop-controlled approach → Use ISD=1.47×Vmajor×tg

Vertical Curve Formulas VE

SSD formula SSD=1.47Vt+V²/(30(a/32.2±G))
Crest curve length L=AS²/2158
Sag curve length L=AS²/(400+3.5S)
K-value Horizontal distance per 1% grade
K-value formula K=L/A
PSD Longer than SSD, opposing traffic
Vertical clearance Min overhead height per AASHTO

Signalized vs Roundabout Intersection IN

Signalized intersection

Separates movements by time
Needs warrant analysis first

Roundabout

Yield-on-entry, continuous flow
Lower severity crash pattern
Roundabout deflects speed; signal separates time

Intersection & Interchange Terms IN

ISD formula ISD=1.47×Vmajor×tg
Roundabout ICD Inscribed circle diameter, controls speed
Diamond interchange Most common freeway-arterial connection
Channelization Islands/markings separate conflicting movements
Turn lane warrant Volume-based charts by movement
Cloverleaf interchange Loop ramps, no signals needed

Signal Timing Formula Picker TR

Need change interval time → Y=t+V/(2(a+32.2G))
Need all-red clearance time → AR=(w+L)/V
Setting pedestrian clearance interval → Use 3.5 ft/s walking speed
Deciding whether to install signal → Check MUTCD numbered warrants
Coordinating adjacent signals → Match cycle length, offset timing

Signal Timing Terms TR

Yellow interval Y=t+V/(2(a+32.2G))
All-red clearance AR=(w+L)/V
Signal warrant MUTCD numbered volume/ped warrants
Ped clearance speed 3.5 ft/s default MUTCD value
Signal phasing Order of protected/permitted movements
Railroad preemption Signal yields to train priority
Cycle length Total time for all phases

MUTCD Sign Class Memory TR

Regulatory rules, warning warns, guide directs travelers
Regulatory = state law Warning = advance notice Guide = wayfinding info

MUTCD Taper Formula Threshold TR

Speed 40mph or less

L=WS²/60 taper length
Longer taper for slow roads

Speed 45mph or more

L=WS taper length
Shorter, linear taper formula
40mph or under uses squared formula

MUTCD & Work Zone Terms TR

MUTCD edition 2009 with Revisions 1 and 2
Sign classes Regulatory, Warning, Guide series
Taper, speed ≤40mph L=WS²/60
Taper, speed ≥45mph L=WS
TTC zone areas Advance, transition, activity, termination
Buffer space Separates activity from traffic
Device spacing Set by posted speed table

Flexible vs Rigid Pavement GE

Flexible (asphalt)

Layered stress cone shape
Relies more on subgrade

Rigid (concrete)

Slab bending spreads load
Relies less on subgrade
Flexible bends; rigid distributes via slab

Subgrade & Pavement Terms GE

CBR Penetration strength index vs crushed stone
Resilient modulus (Mr) Subgrade stiffness under repeated load
Structural number (SN) SN=a1D1+a2D2m2+a3D3m3
Flexible vs rigid Cone stress vs slab bending
Compaction Density increased by mechanical effort
Mass balance Balances cut and fill volumes
R-value Resistance value, stabilometer test

Culvert Inlet vs Outlet Control DR

Inlet control

Headwater and opening govern
Barrel flows partly full

Outlet control

Tailwater and friction govern
Barrel flows full length
Smaller opening or full barrel governs

Which Drainage Method Applies DR

Small drainage area, quick estimate → Rational Method, Q=CiA
Open channel or pipe flow → Manning's Equation for velocity
Culvert headwater governs capacity → Inlet control, check HW/D
Culvert barrel or tailwater governs → Outlet control, check tailwater
Development increases peak runoff → Add detention basin, control rate

Hydrology & Hydraulics Terms DR

Rational Method Q=CiA, small drainage areas
Time of concentration (tc) Travel time to outlet point
Manning's Equation Velocity from roughness, radius, slope
Culvert inlet control Inlet opening limits capacity
Culvert outlet control Barrel plus tailwater limits capacity
Detention basin Stores runoff, releases at reduced rate
BMPs Structural and non-structural water quality
Peak flow Max rate during storm event

Common Traps

Grade sign in SSD

Uphill G is positive ≠ Downhill G is negative

Degree of curve definition

NCEES uses arc definition ≠ D=5729.58/R, not chord

Taper formula speed split

≤40mph uses L=WS²/60 ≠ ≥45mph uses L=WS only

CMF direction confusion

CMF below 1.0 = fewer crashes ≠ CMF above 1.0 = more crashes

v/c near 1.0 meaning

Approaching 1.0 = LOS F ≠ Signals congestion, not good flow

Slope category thresholds

1V:4H+ is recoverable ≠ Steeper than 1V:3H is critical

Exam standards edition lock

MUTCD 2009 with R1&2 only ≠ Not FHWA's newer 2026 edition

Last Minute

1. Bring photo ID matching NCEES record
2. Confirm 9-hour appointment includes 50-min break
3. 80 questions, all scored, work all
4. No fixed pass percentage, scaled score
5. Standards packet has 9 listed documents
6. MUTCD version is 2009 with R1&2
7. HCM version is 6th edition 2016
8. AASHTO Green Book is GDHS-7, 2018
9. Exam mixes SI and USCS units
10. Recheck grade sign before finalizing SSD
11. Match taper formula to posted speed
12. Retake wait is about 90 days

PE Civil: Transportation

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