GRADE: NAME (PRINT): ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP HOME PHONE: INSTRUCTOR: DATE: YES, I give ATSSA permission to distribute my phone number through its national flagger database, which will be accessible to potential employers by phone and through the www.flagger.com webpage. NO, I do not want my phone number made available to potential employers. STATE OF MARYLAND FLAGGER EXAM INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question carefully before selecting your answer. The exam contains 25 MULTIPLE CHOICE questions at 4 points each. Passing grade is 70%. Select the best answer among the choices given. NOTE: This exam is specific to the State of Maryland. When you have completed the written section, stop and give your exam to your instructor. Your instructor will then give you the demonstration part of the exam. You will be allowed two attempts to demonstrate proper stopping and releasing techniques using both the paddle and flag. GOOD LUCK! Reproduction or production of any facsimile of this document, or any part of it, is strictly forbidden. American Traffic Safety Services Association 15 Riverside Parkway, Suite 100 Fredericksburg, VA 22406 (877) 642-4637 or (540) 368-1711 Fax: (540) 368-1722 PAGE 1
1. National standards and guidelines for flagger operations are found in which Federal publication? A. The Flagger Workbook. B. The Federal Highway Administration s Rules for Flagger Operations. C. The U. S. DOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. D. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2. When working as a flagger, which of the following should you NOT do? A. Be in control B. Stay alert C. Be visible D. Listen to AM/FM radio 3. The most important reason to be a good flagger is: A. The pay. B. The prestige. C. Lives depend on you and your actions. D. The cool vest 4. Which of the following are minimum requirements for flaggers? A. Ability to maneuver quickly to avoid danger from errant vehicles B. Ability to control signaling devices (paddles and flags) to provide motorist guidance C. Ability to understand and apply safe traffic control practices D. All of the above. 5. When conducting flagger operations, which sign shall be placed, at a minimum, in advance of the flagger station? A. STOP 500 FEET. B. FLAGGER AHEAD symbol sign C. REDUCED SPEED AHEAD. D. ROAD WORK AHEAD. 6. Warning Signs, like the FLAGGER symbol sign, are typically erected in the: A. Transition area (taper). B. Advance Warning Area. C. The Buffer Space. D. Work Space. 7. In which Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) publication can sign spacing for flagging operations in the State of Maryland be found? A. The Flagger Liberation Advance Guidelines (FLAG) B. The MUTCD C. The Run, Flagger, Run Book D. The MD SHA Temporary Traffic Control Typical Application Book PAGE 2
8. In the event that a sign message no longer applies to the traffic situation in a flagger operation, what action is required? A. No special treatment is necessary. B. The sign shall be removed or covered completely. C. Leave the sign in place and hope no one sees it. D. Modify the message or symbol with a RED, Circle-Slash symbol ( ). 9. If you have just stopped the first motorist at your position and it is clear that the driver wants to talk to you, which of the following is the proper action to take? A. Walk around to the driver s window so you can talk and hear adequately what the driver wants to talk about. B. Stay in your position at the shoulder and ignore the motorist C. Take a position on the centerline so you can talk to the driver and still observe the approaching traffic behind the motorist. D. Maintain your safe position in front of the first vehicle, keep the paddle displaying STOP in the hand nearest traffic flow, arm extended, and answer the questions quickly. 10. During a flagger controlled, planned operation, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration standards, what traffic control device shall a flagger use? A. Either a paddle or flag may be used. B. A STOP/SLOW paddle. C. A STOP/SLOW paddle in one hand and a flag in the other. D. An orange flag, if the job lasts for four hours or less. 11. The STOP/SLOW paddle used in Maryland flagger operations shall : A. Be at least 24 inches in diameter. B. Be octagon shaped and 24 inches wide C. Say STOP on one side and GO on the other. D. Be supplemented with two flashing white lights on the face. 12. According to the Maryland State Highway Administration standards, cones: A. Shall be a minimum of 28 inches high on all roadways. B. Shall have a minimum inside diameter of 12 inches. C. Should be constructed of thick, heavy material to prevent them from being blown over. D. Should be spaced no farther apart than 5 feet, center-to-center. 13. On a one-lane, two-way flagger operation, with the approach speed of 30 miles per hour, and a lane width of 12 feet, how long should the flagger taper be? A. 360 feet. B. As long as possible. C. 50 feet minimum, 100 feet maximum. D. There are no requirements. PAGE 3
14. An arrow board may be used in a one-lane, two-way operation (flaggers) in which mode? A. Flashing arrow mode. B. Sequential chevron mode. C. Flashing bar caution mode D. None of the above. 15. What factors may affect the location of the flagger station? A. The presence of a barrier, bridge rail, or guardrail. B. Hills. C. Curves. D. All of the above may affect the location of the flagger station. 16. When may two-lane, two-way traffic be controlled by a single flagger? A. When traffic speed is less than 45 miles per hour. B. When traffic volume is low. C. On a low-speed, low-volume roadway where the work space is short and there is good sight distance in both directions. D. Anytime the project lasts less than one hour. 17. In a project on a two-lane, two-way roadway downstream of a hill or sharp curve, where should the flagger position be located? A. At a point upstream of the hill or curve to where there is at least 500 feet sight distance to the flagger. B. At least 500 feet in advance of the work space. C. As determined by the buffer distance and the taper length. D. The distance is determined by the operating speed of approaching traffic. 18. In a flagger operation utilizing a flagger at each end of the traffic control system, with respect to the closed lane flagger, what is the flagger s position while attempting to stop the first vehicle? A. Centered in the closed lane, upstream of the taper. B. On the shoulder at the beginning of the taper. C. Inside the taper. D. In the work area. 19. After the first couple of vehicles are stopped, to what position may the flagger go to make himself/herself more visible to approaching traffic? A. Near the centerline of the roadway while maintaining eye contact with the first driver. B. The flagger shall not take any other position. C. The flagger may sit down and relax until it is time to release the stopped traffic. D. Between the first vehicle and the centerline for best visibility. PAGE 4
20. Which of the following is an acceptable means of communication between flaggers? A. Hand-held two-way radios. B. Hand signals. C. Shaking the STOP/SLOW paddle. D. Both A & B are acceptable. 21. Which of the following is a true statement? A. A flagger should remain at their post until relieved by another qualified flagger, except at the end of the work period. B. The flagger s vehicle may be parked close to the flagger. C. Fellow workers may take their break near the flagger to increase the flagger s visibility. D. A small FM radio may be used by the flagger so long as the motorists cannot see it. 22. If an approaching driver ignores your signal to STOP, what should your highest priority of action be? A. Write down the vehicle s license number and a description of the vehicle. B. Communicate with the other flagger. C. Make sure you are safe (use your escape route) and then warn your fellow workers. D. Throw a stone or other object at the vehicle to get the driver s attention. 23. When an emergency vehicle is detected approaching your position, you should: A. Wave them through since they always have the right-of-way. B. Communicate with the other flagger and allow the emergency vehicle to proceed only when it is safe to proceed. C. Stop the vehicle until your normal turn comes along to allow traffic to proceed. D. Do nothing since it is State law that all vehicles in conflict must get out of the way. 24. When releasing traffic at a haul road crossing (construction entrance), the STOP face should be oriented: A. Toward the opposite shoulder. B. Toward the opposing traffic. C. Toward the ground. D. Toward you, the flagger. 25. When a flagger operation is utilized on a scheduled nighttime project: A. You should use an arrow board indicating a flashing left arrow. B. The flagger station shall be illuminated with a car s headlights. C. The flagger shall wear retroreflective apparel and use a retroreflective STOP/SLOW paddle. D. The use of two flashing white lights on the face of the paddle is required. THIS IS THE END OF THE WRITTEN EXAM. PLEASE RETURN THE EXAM BOOKLET TO THE INSTRUCTOR WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE DEMONSTRATION PORTION. PAGE 5
FLAGGER DEMONSTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: When instructed, give this booklet to the instructor and answer the questions being asked. Assume you are a flagger. Make sure you give clear signals to the instructor, as you would in a real flagger operation: Stopping Traffic with Paddle Yes No Selects proper location (shoulder) Faces oncoming traffic Holds paddle in hand closest to traveled lane Paddle displays STOP Holds arm horizontally at shoulder height Raises free arm with palm facing traffic Looks at approaching motorists The vehicle has come to a complete stop but it looks like other vehicles may have a hard time seeing you: action? Moves toward the centerline just far enough to see approaching traffic (not on the centerline!) Communicates with partner flagger that traffic is stopped Releasing Traffic with Paddle Yes No Returns to shoulder still displaying STOP Faces traffic and looks at the first driver Communicates with other flagger to confirm that opposing traffic is stopped Holds arm horizontally from the shoulder Looks at approaching motorists Turns paddle to SLOW Motions with free hand for traffic to proceed Traffic seems to be going too fast. How do you slow them down? (motions up and down with free hand) PAGE 6
Stopping Traffic with Flag Yes No Selects proper location (shoulder) Faces traffic Holds flag in hand closest to traveled lane Extends flag horizontally across traffic lane Full area of flag hangs below staff Looks at approaching motorists Raises free arm with palm facing traffic It appears that the approaching vehicle has ignored you and driven right past you. What do you do? Get to your position of safety. Maintain flag in position and warns workers and partner flagger Releasing Traffic with Flag Yes No Faces traffic Communicates with other flagger to confirm opposing traffic is stopped Takes up position on shoulder still displaying flag Lowers flag Motions with free hand for traffic to proceed Traffic appears to be going too fast. How do you slow them down? Keeps flag in the downward position PAGE 7