MDOT TRAC Program

Purpose:

 The MDOT TRAC program is a program run in several Michigan schools by the Michigan Department of Transportation.  The program encourages students to integrate transportation issues into their learning.

UDM & MDOT TRAC:

UDM provides MDOT TRAC "graduates" with a $2500 scholarship.  This is available to the first 5 students each year that confirm their plans to attend UDM. 

 2009 Winner: Jonathan Brown-McDonald

 Quiz:

 The MDOT TRAC program hosts a bridge design contest.  At the event UDM provides a transportation trivia quiz.  The answers to the quiz are:

1.  The first Portland concrete paved road in the world was:    (Circle the answer.)

            b) Ford Freeway, MI

            c)

            d) Post (Upper) Rd., Boston MA

2.  The Mackinaw Bridge connects Michigan with:

            a) Wisconsin

            b) Canada

3.  The I-75 Zilwakee Bridge was replaced in 1988 because:

            a) The bridge was old and need extensive repair.

            b) Lifting the bridge for boat traffic caused backups.

            c) It was ugly.

4.  The S.S. Badger Ferry going to Wisconsin docks at what MI town: 

a) Muskegon,

b) Ludington,

c) Manitowoc,

d) Charlevoix

5.  The first urban freeway in the US in Michigan and was:

a) Davison,

b) Jefferies,

c) Ford,

d) Lodge,

e) Chrysler

6.  Rank these events according to dates:  (1863, 1892, 1902, 1918, 1920)

 1920     First automatic traffic signal installed.

  1892    Electric Trolley

 1902     First Auto show &  first Cadillac

 1863     First Horse drawn street cars

  1918    First 3 color hand-operated traffic signal in world was installed in Detroit.

7. Concrete needs to be kept wet during its hardening process because:

a)It is not possible to add enough water to a concrete mix so more needs to be added.

b)   If the water evaporated from the concrete mix it would be too dry to harden.

c)No water is needed.  This is a misconception.

8. The purpose of compacting or compressing the soil under a road is to:

a) Increasing the strength of the soil to carry weights

b) Reduce how much the structure will sink into the ground

c) Decrease leaking of water through the soil

a)    Increase

10.  In the Detroit area within a couple miles of the river, roads run parallel and perpendicular to the river, but further in land they run North and South.  Why?

a)      The French settlers laid out the property so each landowner would have river access.

b)      The planet’s rotational axes have shifted since then.  What used to be North is now Northeast.

c)      To mess up driving directions since roads shift directions.

d)     The road engineers can do whatever they want to.

11.  The busiest international bridge crossing in the US is:

a)      The Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY.

b)      The Ambassador Bridge, Detroit.

c)      The Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron

d)     The International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie.

12.  Mass Transit such as trains and light rail transit can be designed to be faster when:

a)      There are limited stops

b)      The transit vehicle is grade separated from autos. (above or below.)

c)      The transit vehicle has its own lane.

d)     Tickets are not checked at the door, but before entering waiting area or after on the vehicle.

e)      All of the above.

See the main Civil & Environmental Engineering page.