MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE WITH DEER REFLECTORS

Minnesota is ranked sixth in the United States for deer/vehicle accidents. The most visible, and from a monetary perspective the most significant, transportation induced mortality of wildlife in Minnesota involves motor vehicle collisions with whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer/vehicle accidents in recent years are estimated to range from 12,000 to 16,000 per year. With the average vehicle damage estimated to be $2000 per accident and the recreational cost of a deer estimated to be $500, the roadkill of whitetail deer in Minnesota is about a $35 million problem each year. Deer/vehicle accidents are a problem throughout the state particularly in late fall and early spring. The character of the problem varies with the wide diversity of habitat types within the state. This paper describes Minnesota's experience with deer reflectors. The installation of deer reflectors at discrete locations along rural roadways in Minnesota with high deer/vehicle accident rates was generally successful in reducing those accident rates. However, on steep slopes and deer yard habitat this effectiveness was reduced. Installation of deer reflectors on suburban metropolitan roadways in Minnesota was unsuccessful in reducing deer vehicle accident rates. High traffic, increasing deer populations, and the inability to effectively maintain the reflectors may have been factors in the lack of success in the metropolitan area. Future research efforts will include the collection of better pre and post installation kill data to garner a statistically testable data set. Possible future studies may also include controlled effectiveness studies such as how deer behave and respond to the presence of reflectors.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 116-124

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00745660
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-PD-96-041
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1998 12:00AM