California State Department of Transportation Project Development Procedures Manual (PDPM)

| Quiz Home Page |

Question 15
The maximum number of consecutive days a ramp can be temporarily closed by a project without the preparation of an economic impact study being required is:

a.) 5

b.) 9

c.) 10

d.) 12

Question 16
For roadway facilities that are on routes superseded by relocation, Caltrans is required to bring the facility up to current state highway standards prior to relinquishing it to the local agency.

• True
• False

Question 17
What events technically define the beginning and the end of the project development process?

• Answer

Question 18
What is the requirement in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 that resulted in the requirement for the formation of a Project Development Team (PDT) for highway projects in California?

• Answer

Question 19
Who determines whether a permit is required for storm water discharge?

• Answer

Question 20
What is purpose of a Safety Review and when is it required?

• Answer

Question 21
When the project development process is initiated by the designation of a Project Manager (PM), which of the following things does the PM do to get project development started?

(1) secure an Expenditure Authorization,

(2) begin preparing a Project Work Plan,

(3) determine the composition of the Project Development Team (PDT) by determining which internal functional disciplines and external representatives are required to plan and carry out the development of the project.

a.) (1) only

b.) (1) and (2) only

c.) (2) and (3) only

d.) (1), (2) and (3)

Question 22
You have a project proposing a substantial realignment of a conventional highway, providing a substantial increase in traffic capacity, and having particular significance environmentally, being located in an area of critical concern. What is the project development category you would assign to the project, and would the public hearing process be required?

a.) Category 1 and Yes

b.) Category 2A and Yes

c.) Category 4B and No

d.) Category 5 and No

Question 23
Although alternatives are considered for all projects, when must alternatives be formally considered within the environmental review process?

a.) When an EIS or EIR is prepared

b.) When an adverse impact is expected on any of the following protected resources: (a) endangered species (b) public parks, recreation areas, or wildlife and waterfowl refuges (c) historic sites (d) aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands (e) farmlands or agricultural preserves, or (f) floodplains

c.) When a hazardous waste site is expected to be impacted

d.) All of the above

Question 24
On what type of major transportation construction projects must Park and Ride facilities be considered for inclusion?

a.) new freeways only

b.) interchange modifications only

c.) lane additions only

d.) all of the above plus some other types

Question 25
Is a TMP required for any project with anticipated significant traffic delays during construction?

• Yes
• No

Question 26
Projects advertised by Caltrans having construction activities of at least how many hectares of disturbed soil require a NPDES permit?

a.) 1/2 hectare

b.) 1 hectare

c.) 1 1/2 hectare

d.) 2 hectares

Question 27
An interim project is any project that improves a facility, but not to its ultimate planned width.

• True
• False

Question 28
Is it necessary to thoroughly investigate the existing adjacent pavement condition for rehabilitation need on widening projects?

• Yes
• No

Question 29
There are several requirements concerning required Safety Reviews in the project development process?

• True
• False

Question 30
When is a PSR or an equivalent project initiation document required? Name the other project initiation documents used in various specialized programs or situations.

• Answer

Question 31
Which types of reports may be used to initiate state highway projects which are funded 100% by others?

a.) Project Scope Summary Report (PSSR)

b.) Project Information Report (PIR)

c.) Noise Barrier Scope Summary Report (NBSSR)

d.) None of the above

Question 32
A project initiation document is prepared to accomplish what objective and what purpose?

• Answer

Question 33
Project initiation documents should address a "minimum project alternative" and a "stageable alternative". What do these terms mean?

• Answer

Question 34
Does the project initiation document need to address the requirement of the statutes and Caltrans policy that support budgets be established for major state highway projects?

• Yes
• No

Question 35
Can various project development reports be combined even if they do not satisfy the criteria specified for Combined PSR/PRs in Chapter 9, Section 12 of the PDPM on page 9-36?

• Yes
• No

Question 36
You can not cease work on a programmed project.

• True
• False

Question 37
A Community Involvement Plan is required for all projects?

• True
• False

Question 38
Accurate mapping is important during engineering and environmental studies in the project planning phase of project development for which of the following reasons:

1.) as a basis for accurate engineering studies

2.) to make accurate right of way estimates

3.) for efficient preparation of PS&E

4.) for good environmental studies, particularly for cultural and biological studies

5.) for good project scope definition and good estimates

a.) 1 and 5 only

b.) 3

c.) 1, 2, 4 and 5

d.) 4 only

Question 39
In the project planning phase of project development, the geometric and grade line alternatives should be reviewed by the PD Coordinator or Geometric Reviewer at the time of project approval.

• True
• False

Question 40
Formal environmental studies for project development begin as soon as the PSR is approved.

• True
• False

Question 41
Who has the responsibility to direct and evaluate the project studies, to determine if any project rescoping is needed, and to develop new alternatives, if required, to determine the appropriate level of environmental evaluation, and to direct the preparation of an environmental document if one is required?

a.) The Design Division Chief

b.) The District Director

c.) The Project Development Team

d.) The Project Manager

e.) The Project Engineer

f.) The Environmental Branch Chief

Question 42
Caltrans utilizes a "plan-to-ground" philosophy as an approach to environmental analysis and project development rather than a "plan-to-plan" philosophy.

• True
• False

Question 43
What section of an environmental document is the key to developing a document that is defensible in court?

a.) Purpose and Need

b.) Alternatives Including Proposed Project

c.) Affected Environment

d.) Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures

Question 44
List five approaches to defining "purpose and need" in project planning and development.

• Answer

Question 45
Related to defining the "purpose and need" for a project are the findings needed in order to condemn needed property rights. Which of the following is not a finding that must be made by the CTC:

a.) Does public interest and necessity require the proposed project?

b.) Is the proposed project planned or located in the manner that will be most compatible with the greatest public good and the least private injury?

c.) Is cash offer in compensation for the property reasonable?

d.) Is the property sought to be condemned necessary for the proposed project?

Question 46
When project alternatives must be formally considered within the environmental review process, what range of the following options are required to be addressed?

(1) "no-action" alternative

(2) Transportation System Management (TSM) alternative, including HOV lanes in urbanized areas

(3) mass transit in larger urbanized areas

(4) improvement of the existing system, which may include both State and local facilities

(5) the full range of potentially reasonable, "build" alternatives.

a.) none of the above

b.) all of the above

c.) 1 and 5 only

d.) 5 only

Question 47
When there is a large number of potentially reasonable "build" alternatives, each one needs to be developed.

• True
• False

Question 48
Are all of these legitimate reasons that a project alternative may be rejected as unreasonable?

(1) not meeting the project's "purpose and need"

(2) excessive construction cost

(3) severe operational or safety problems

(4) unacceptable adverse social, economic, or environmental impacts

(5) a combination of reasons listed above, that taken individually might not be significant - but would be significant if taken cumulatively,

(6) previously rejected in an earlier stage (e.g., in a regional planning process, that was documented in an environmental document).

• Yes
• No

Question 49
Every project requiring the preparation of a Project Report (PR) also requires the preparation of a Draft Project Report (DPR).

• True
• False

Question 50
When preparing a Draft Project Report, what three basic questions should the report answer?

• Answer

Question 51
Authorization to hold a public hearing is generally obtained through the approval of the Project Report (PR), which contains recommendation to proceed with a hearing.?

• True
• False

Question 52
Name five things which are to be included in the Record of Public Hearing:

• Answer

Question 53
Within how long should the Record of Public Hearing be distributed?

a.) 30 days

b.) 60 days

c.) 90 days

d.) 6 months

Question 54
The purpose of the public hearing process is to attain public comment and to ensure that transportation decisions are consistent with the goals and objectives of federal, State, and local entities?

• True
• False

Question 55
What are the two types of public hearing used by Caltrans and which type is normally preferred?

a.) map showing and formal, formal preferred

b.) formal and open forum, open forum preferred

c.) informal and formal, informal preferred

d.) open forum and informal, informal preferred

Question 56
Who in Sacramento should be notified as soon as hearing arrangements are finalized?

• Answer

Question 57
How many times must a hearing notice or a "Notice of Opportunity" be published?

a.) once

b.) twice

c.) three times

d.) four times

Question 58
When should outside presiding officers be considered for formal hearings conducted by Caltrans?

(1) wherever projects may become controversial

(2) wherever projects are located in a sensitive area

(3) wherever projects are located in an area of critical concern

(4) wherever projects or are or may become the subject of litigation

a.) 1 only

b.) 4 only

c.) all of the above

d.) 1, 2 and 3 only

Question 59
Who (1) selects the preferred alternative, who (2) recommends it for approval, who (3) approves it, and (4) in what document is it formally approved?

a.) 1. DD or Designee, 2. PDT, 3. PM, 4. DPR

b.) 1. PDT, 2. PM, 3. DD or Designee, 4. PR

c.) 1. PM, 2. PDT, 3. DD or Designee, 4. PAR

d.) 1. PE, 2. PM, 3. PDT, 4. PSR

Question 60
Can an alternative resulting in a significant, adverse environmental impact or in the use of protected resources be approved?

• Yes
• No

Question 61
An "avoidance alternative" is a reasonable alternative that avoids all significant impacts, uses of protected resources, and impacts on hazardous waste.

• True
• False

Question 62
The "environmentally preferred alternative" is a reasonable alternative that causes the least harm, without any mitigation, to protected resources and the environment when there is no avoidance alternative.

• True
• False

Question 63
In identifying the "environmentally preferred" alternative, the "net harm" (after mitigation) on each resource is determined. This is helpful for comparing the relative "net harm" on various resources and the environment utilizing a generally accepted ordering of the value of these various resources reflecting public values and legal protections. Rank the value of the following resources with highest first:

(1) Hazardous waste sites

(2) Aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands

(3) Other environmental impacts

(4) Endangered species

(5) Floodplains

(6) Section 4(f) properties, including historic sites and parks

(7) Farmlands or agricultural preserves

a.) 1, 4, 6, 2, 5, 7, 3

b.) 4, 6, 2, 7, 5, 1, 3

c.) 6, 2, 4, 7, 5, 3, 1

d.) 5, 1, 2, 4 , 6, 7, 3

Question 64
What happens when a Minor A projects exceeds the "Minor A" dollar limits for construction?

• Answer

Question 65
What is the primary purpose of the Project Report (PR)?

• Answer

Question 66
If the project concept or scope of the project substantially changes after project approval, how should these changes be addressed?

• Answer

Question 67
How do entities with vested interests in transportation projects protect those interests?

• Answer

Question 68
If a project has the following characteristics, what type of permits may be required?

- Located within 915 m of the Pacific Ocean

- Affects fish and wildlife habitat

- Involves encroachment on a 100-year floodplain

• Answer

Question 69
Name eight items which are included in the draft PS&E package which is submitted to District Office Engineer (DOE) by the Project Engineer.

• Answer

Question 70
Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Project Engineer (PE) during the design process:

a.) Prepare quality plans that meet Caltrans standards, practices, and policies.

b.) Prepare project cost estimates and monitor costs to keep the project within budget.

c.) Secure the resources to maintain project schedules.

d.) Monitor the project scope to ensure consistency with previous approvals.

e.) Inform the Project Manager (PM) of any cost, scope, or schedule changes that may be required for the project.

Question 71
For the FHWA to participate in the cost of an experimental feature, they must approve a workplan.

• True
• False

Question 72
During the design phase of project development, when interchange and intersection details have been established and when determining the final vertical and horizontal alignment for the completion of geometric base maps, what design reviews or approvals are needed?

a.) All persons below as appropriate

b.) DLPP Geometric Reviewer comments on geometric base maps

c.) PD Coordinator comments and Mandatory Design Standard Exception approval

d.) FHWA Transportation Engineer review of projects over $1 million on the Interstate System

e.) PM review of all geometrics

Question 73
A site plan must be submitted to the Office of Structures Design to obtain the design of all bridges, pumping plants, pedestrian structures, and nonstandard retaining walls, noise barriers, culverts, and other highway and transit related structures. What must it include?

a.) structure type, survey base lines, alignments, profiles, typical cross sections, bench marks, proposed geometrics, and topography

b.) survey base lines, alignments, profiles, typical cross sections, bench marks, proposed geometrics, foundation boring records, and topography

c.) survey base lines, alignments, profiles, typical cross sections, bench marks, proposed geometrics, and topography

d.) hydraulic storm data including scour potential, survey base lines, alignments, profiles, typical cross sections, bench marks, proposed geometrics, and topography

Question 74
Do the typical cross sections for a project receive a specific approval? If so, by whom?

a.) No

b.) Yes, by the Project Manager.

c.) Yes, by the District Director or designee

d.) Yes, by the Chief, Office of Materials Testing and Services, Engineering Service Center

Question 75
If Right of Way negotiations with a property owner to acquire right of way have been unsuccessful, who authorizes the condemnation process?

a.) The District Director

b.) The Right of Way District Division Chief

c.) The Right of Way Program Manager

d.) The California Transportation Commission

Question 76
Where do you find detailed information about PS&E preparation?

a.) The Project Development Procedures Manual

b.) The Drafting and Plans Manual of Instructions

c.) The Plans, Specifications and Estimates Guide

d.) The Project Development Workflow Tasks Manual

Question 77
Who must the Project Engineer seek review and concurrence from anytime a significant deviation from the Standard Plans is required?

a.) The PD Coordinator, Traffic Liaison or ESC Project Functional Manager

b.) The Headquarters functional unit, or the Program Advisor

c.) Their Senior Design Engineer

d.) None of the above

e.) All of the above

Question 78
The Right of Way Branch must certify that the right of way has been acquired or is in the State's possession before a construction project can be awarded.

• True
• False

Question 79
The Project Engineer (PE) is not the person responsible for furnishing to the Resident Engineer (RE) the RE File and the Survey File.

• True
• False

Question 80
These are all reasons why accurate project records contained in the Project History File and the As-Built plans are needed.

- Litigation involving construction claims and tort liability suits

- Base mapping for future projects

- Documentation of changes occurring during construction

- Representation of existing field conditions

• True
• False

Question 81
What document is used to make changes to a construction project and who needs to review and approve the changes before the work can be executed?

• Answer

End of Questions for "Part 2: The Project Development Process"

For questions or feedback concerning this Web page email:

ranjeet.bagha@dot.ca.gov

This Web page last modified March 27, 2006.