Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation for Safer Wildlife Movement across Highways: State Route 260

Researchers investigated wildlife-highway relationships in central Arizona from 2002 to 2008 along a 17-mile stretch of State Route (SR) 260, which is being reconstructed in 5 phases and will have 11 wildlife underpasses and 6 bridges. Phased reconstruction allowed researchers to use a before-after-control experimental approach to their research. The objectives of the project were to: assess and compare wildlife use of underpasses (UPs); evaluate highway permeability and wildlife movements among reconstruction classes; characterize wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) patterns and changes with reconstruction; assess relationships among traffic volume and WVCs, wildlife crossing patterns, and UP use; and assess the role of ungulate-proof fencing with WVCs, wildlife UP use, and wildlife permeability. Researchers used video surveillance to assess and compare wildlife use of 6 UPs, at which 15,134 animals and 11 species were recorded; 67.5% crossed through UPs. Modeling found that UP structure type and placement was the most important factor influencing the probability of successful crossings by elk (Cervus elaphus) and Coues whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Researchers used Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry tracking of 100 elk and 13 white-tailed deer to assess and compare permeability. Elk permeability on reconstructed sections was 39% lower than controls, while deer permeability was 433% higher on reconstructed sections. The elk-vehicle collision (EVC) rate on fenced reconstructed sections was the same as before-reconstruction levels, but on unfenced sections the EVC rate was nearly 4 times higher. In addition to a safer and more environmentally friendly highway, the economic benefit from reduced EVCs on SR 260 averaged $2 million/year since the completion of 3 reconstructed highway sections.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.azdot.gov/ADOTLibrary/publications/project_reports/PDF/AZ603.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25398
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25436
• Corporate Authors:

  Arizona Game and Fish Department

  Research Branch
  5000 West Carefree Highway
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85086

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  Research Center
  206 South 17th Avenue, MD075R
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Dodd, Norris L
  • Gagnon, Jeffrey W
  • 0000-0002-8251-5977
  • Boe, Susan
  • Ogren, Kari
  • Schweinsburg, Raymond E
• Publication Date: 2012-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 134p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Crashes; Deer; Fences; Underpasses; Wildlife; Wildlife crossings
• Identifier Terms: Arizona State Route 260
• Uncontrolled Terms: Elk
• Geographic Terms: Arizona
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I15: Environment; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01458052
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AZ-12-603, 603
• Contract Numbers: SPR 000 1(069) 603
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 2012 5:55PM