Req 5 — Choose Your Roadway Focus
5.
Road Designs and Signs. Do the following:
You must choose exactly one option for this requirement. Both paths teach how roads communicate safety, but they do it in different ways. One focuses on the physical design of the roadway. The other focuses on the visual system drivers read every second.
Your Options
- Req 5a — Safer Roads by Design: Study how intersections, medians, shoulders, and interstate features are built to reduce conflict and give drivers more room to recover from mistakes. You will gain a planner’s view of why some roads feel safer than others.
- Req 5b — Reading Signs, Signals, and Markings: Study how colors, shapes, symbols, lights, and pavement markings send quick messages to drivers. You will gain the ability to decode the road’s visual language faster and more accurately.
How to Choose
Choosing Your Option
Think about how you like to learn
- If you like engineering and maps: Option 5a may fit you best because it looks at how roads are physically designed.
- If you notice signs and symbols quickly: Option 5b may fit you best because it is about visual communication on the road.
- Time and location: Option 5a is great if you can observe real road layouts in your area; Option 5b works well almost anywhere because signs and markings are everywhere.
- What you will gain: Option 5a builds systems thinking about safer road design; Option 5b strengthens instant recognition and interpretation skills for everyday travel.
Both options point to the same big idea: safer roads depend on clear information. Start with the first option page, then decide whether it is the path you want to discuss with your counselor.