IMSA Roadway Lighting II study guide
IMSA Roadway Lighting II · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
IMSA Roadway Lighting is one of the certification areas the International Municipal Signal Association lists among its industry certifications, alongside Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control, Traffic Signal, Signs and Markings, and Fiber Optics. The association's public pages describe its certifications as a way to validate expertise and advance a career, and IMSA states that more than 24,000 professionals currently hold an IMSA certification. The IMSA Roadway Lighting II study guide has 6 sections and about 1,878 words.
01Roadway Lighting Fundamentals and Terminology
This domain tests the photometric vocabulary and physical relationships you need before you can read a lighting design. Expect questions that force you to distinguish quantities, convert units, and recognize how mounting geometry changes what reaches the road.
346 words, about 2 min02Lighting Standards, Codes, and Design Criteria
This domain tests whether you can select the right design method and apply the governing documents: IES RP-8 for roadway and parking-facility lighting, NEC Articles 225, 250, 300, and 410 for electrical installation, AASHTO LTS for supports, and MUTCD Part 6 for temporary traffic control. The exam emphasizes criteria selection, not memorizing every table.
319 words, about 2 min03Luminaires, Lamps, Ballasts, and Drivers
This domain tests component-level knowledge: LED versus HID sources, ballasts and drivers, optical distributions, environmental ratings, and how component performance changes delivered light over life. Questions often hinge on what a datasheet value does and does not include.
323 words, about 2 min04Poles, Foundations, Supports, and Structural Considerations
This domain tests whether you understand the load path from luminaire to soil and the safety features that protect vehicles and workers. It is not a civil-engineering exam, but you must recognize design responsibilities and inspection points.
301 words, about 2 min05Electrical Distribution, Circuits, and Controls
This domain tests circuit design and control logic: voltage drop, conductor sizing, grounding, overcurrent protection, and how photocells, contactors, and network controls switch roadway lighting. Roadway lighting is usually parallel multiwire circuits; series circuits are legacy and require special isolation procedures.
297 words, about 1 min06Installation, Maintenance, Inspection, and Safety
This domain tests field execution and worker protection: temporary traffic control, lockout/tagout, fall protection, testing, and the inspection items that predict failures. Work in or near traffic requires a MUTCD Part 6 temporary traffic control setup; PPE, high-visibility apparel, and a spotter are common requirements.
292 words, about 1 min