Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study

The Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study (WSWPS) emerged from a commitment to increased collaboration between CDOT and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to address wildlife conflicts on roads. The study’s objective involved identifying wildlifehighway conflict areas where targeted mitigation could have the greatest impact on reducing WVCs. To meet this objective, the WSWPS identified, mapped and prioritized highway segments across the West Slope based on the risk of WVC and the need for mule deer and elk to make cross-highway movements, particularly during migration or within winter range. The prioritization results and mitigation recommendations for the top 5-percent priority segments in each region were then integrated into a decision-support framework. In addition to the prioritized highway segments and preliminary mitigation recommendations, the decision-support framework includes a benefit-cost analysis tool, an implementation considerations matrix, and guidance for integrating mitigation for priority segments into CDOT transportation planning and project development. This study’s results will inform the siting, design, and construction of effective wildlife-highway mitigation projects across the Western Slope. Implementation Statement: This report includes a decision-support framework and tools to guide mitigation implementation in the highest priority highway segments. In addition, several recommendations are provided as next steps for CDOT and CPW to advance the outcomes of this research.

• Record URL:
  • https://c95055.eos-intl.net/C95055/OPAC/Details/Record.aspx?BibCode=2941510
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88647
• Corporate Authors:

  Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

  Englewood, CO  United States  80112

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  Applied Research and Innovation Branch
  Denver, CO  United States  80204

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kintsch, Julia
  • Basting, Pat
  • McClure, Meredith
  • Clarke, Jim O
• Publication Date: 2019-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 403pp

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Decision support systems; Highway safety; Strategic planning; Wildlife; Wildlife crossings
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01847614
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOT-2019-01, CDOT-SPR SW01-828
• Contract Numbers: 116.02
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 31 2022 9:15AM