Wildlife Detection and Warning – Phase II

This presentation will detail a study that MnDOT is conducting to reduce the number of deer/vehicle crashes (DVC). It is estimated that there are over 35,000 DVC yearly in the state resulting in 3 to 11 deaths, over 400 personal injuries, and close to 4,000 reported property damages of one thousand dollars or more. The design chosen for the Wildlife Detection and Warning project implements a break-the-beam detection system. A deer is detected when it crosses through an infrared beam. Once detected, a wireless signal is transmitted to flashing beacon mounted on a standard deer crossing sign. The flashing beacon will warn motorists of the presence of deer increasing awareness and potentially speed. The first system installed in Minnesota is along Trunk Highway 23, 12 miles south of Marshall, MN. The one mile section is between the wooded area of Camden State Park and farm fields. DVC data was collected based off of deer carcass counts provided by the Minnesota DNR. During the first year of operation DVCs were reduced by 57%. During the first 6 months of the second year, DVCs were reduced by 33%. The second system installed in Minnesota is along Hennepin County State Aid Highway 121 in Dayton, MN. The 0.6 mile section is located along the wooded area of Elm Creek Park. In addition to the break-the-beam detectors, this system will use one passive infrared device to demonstrate new technology. Also, inductive loops are also placed at the entrance to an archery range to eliminate false deer detections by entering or exiting vehicles. Given the previous experience with the Marshall wildlife detection system reducing DVC, the Dayton wildlife detection system will be evaluated based on operational time. This analysis will determine what percentage of the time drivers will likely receive the DVC reduction. Preliminary conclusions and recommendations of the Dayton wildlife detection system will be presented.

• Record URL:
  http://itswc.confex.com/itswc/AM2012/webprogram/Paper10749.html
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract used with permission of Intelligent Transportation Society of America
• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Jackels, Jon
  • Hansen, Ken
• Conference:
  • ITS America 22nd Annual Meeting & Exposition
  • Location: National Harbor MD, United States
  • Date: 2012-5-21 to 2012-5-23
• Publication Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: n.p.
• Monograph Title: ITS America 22nd Annual Meeting & Exposition. Smart Transportation: A Future We Can Afford

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injuries; Deer; Detectors; Fatalities; Intelligent transportation systems; Loop detectors; Moving target indicators; Roadside fauna; Warning devices; Wildlife; Wildlife crossings
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01449150
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 12 2012 9:28AM