In this article (and video above), we calculate links and arcs in a road transportation network. This problem type might be found in the Transportation Engineering section of the FE Exam to help you prepare for your FE Exam. This problem was created and solved by Engineer in training, Enrique Ivers, LEED Green Associate.
Question:
The connection matrix represents a road transportation network between five locations:
What is the total number of links, and the total number of arcs?
Solution:
In order to answer this question, we need to create a graphical representation for the transportation network created by the connection matrix.
We’ll connect the nodes as shown in the matrix, recalling that “1” specifies a bidirectional connection (a link) and that “-1” specifies a unidirectional connection (an arc).
Now we can count the links and arcs:
Answer:
The correct answer is A.
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I hope you found this week’s FE Environmental engineering exam prep question helpful. In upcoming articles, I will answer more FE Exam questions and run through more practice problems. We publish videos bi-weekly on our Pass the FE Exam YouTube Channel. Be sure to visit our page here and click the subscribe button as you’ll get expert tips and tricks – to ensure your best success – that you can’t get anywhere else. Believe me, you won’t want to miss a single video.
Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of the videos or here on this page and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.
I’ll see you next week.
Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
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