Traffic Volume as a Primary Road Characteristic Impacting Wildlife: A Tool for Land Use and Transportation Planning

Based on an analysis of current literature, the authors developed a Traffic Volume Wildlife Tool that identifies different levels of traffic volume as a means to assess risk to various wildlife species groups, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Each level includes an assessment of when impacts to different species groups begin and when they become a serious threat. Traffic volume, or the amount of traffic using a road, poses substantial negative consequences for many wildlife species, especially as traffic levels increase. Road location and traffic volume are the two most important factors to assess when evaluating a road‘s potential impacts. Increases in traffic volume alter species composition, impedes animal movement, causes direct mortality, and fragments habitat. Based on the existing studies that quantify traffic volume and measure impacts to wildlife, the authors developed guidelines for use in planning. The authors discuss how changes in traffic volume affect habitat quality and animal behavior, and which types of species are most vulnerable. The authors recommend using these data and guidelines in land use and transportation planning and permitting.

• Record URL:
  • https://icoet.net/sites/default/files/files/ICOET2009-Proceedings-Complete.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780977809448
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract used with permission from the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation, organized by the Center for Transportation and the Environment, Institute for Transportation Research and Education, North Carolina State University.
• Corporate Authors:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Center for Transportation and the Environment
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-8601
• Authors:
  • Charry, Barbara
  • Jones, Jody
• Conference:
  • 2009 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET 2009)
  • Location: Duluth Minnesota, United States
  • Date: 2009-9-13 to 2009-9-17
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 159-172
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET 2009)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animal behavior; Environmental impacts; Habitat (Ecology); Risk assessment; Road kill; Roadside fauna; Traffic safety; Traffic volume; Wildlife
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I15: Environment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01558863
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780977809448
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 2015 9:06AM