2025 Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Civil Breadth Practice Exam – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The term that encompasses both brake reaction distance and braking distance is Stopping Sight Distance. This is an important concept in road design and traffic engineering, as it defines the minimum distance required for a vehicle to come to a complete stop safely, allowing the driver time to perceive a need to stop, react, and then decelerate to a stop.

Brake reaction distance refers to the distance covered by a vehicle from the moment the driver perceives a need to stop until the brakes are actually applied. This encompasses the driver's reaction time and the speed at which the vehicle is traveling. Braking distance, on the other hand, is the distance it takes for the vehicle to come to a complete stop once the brakes have been applied. Therefore, Stopping Sight Distance is the sum of these two components and is essential for safe vehicle operation, helping determine adequate stopping distances under various conditions.

The other options do not accurately include both distances in their definitions; for example, Passing Site Distance relates to the distance needed to safely pass another vehicle on a two-lane road, while Decision Site Distance involves the distance at which a driver can perceive a situation and make a decision. Sight Distance is a broader term that may refer to visibility on the road but does not combine the factors