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Question

Difficulty: EasySpeed and Road Conditions

Bridge decks and shaded roadway sections typically freeze and develop hazardous ice before the rest of the open road surface when temperatures drop near freezing.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. Bridges and shaded roadway sections freeze before open road surfaces because of air circulation beneath bridge decks and the absence of direct solar warming in shaded zones.
The statement is true because ambient cold air flows underneath elevated bridge structures, removing heat rapidly from both sides of the deck. Consequently, bridge surfaces reach the freezing point and form ice well before ground-supported pavements. Shaded road surfaces also remain colder and freeze sooner due to the absence of direct sunlight.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the thermodynamic factors affecting different road surfaces during cold weather.
Bridge decks lack ground insulation and are exposed to ambient freezing air on both top and bottom surfaces, while shaded sections do not receive direct sunlight.
Recognizing which road sections freeze first allows commercial drivers to proactively reduce speed and adjust space before encountering unexpected loss of traction.
2
Evaluate the accuracy of the statement against standard commercial driving safety principles.
The statement accurately reflects commercial driving guidelines regarding bridge icing and shaded road conditions.
CDL safety standards require drivers to anticipate ice on bridges and shaded corridors even when the main road appears clear and dry.

Key Concept

Slippery Road Surface Identification and Speed Adjustment
Estimated Time:40s
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Topics

Speed and Road Conditions

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