EFFECTIVENESS OF A LIGHTED, ANIMATED DEER CROSSING SIGN

Two lighted, animated deer crossing signs were installed adjacent to State Highway 82 south of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, delineating a 1.61km (1-mile) segment of highway where deer-vehicle accidents frequently occurred. Crossings per kill ratios were nearly identical with the signs off (56.5:1) and with the signs on (56.9:1). When the motorist was presented with evidence that a danger existed (i.e., deer carcasses in emergency lane), the response was much greater than when they were merely warned (via the deer crossing sign) of a potential danger. With evidence of danger, the response was the same regardless of whether or not the warning signs were on. Motorists' response in the form of speed reduction and/or increased awareness was not sufficient to affect the crossings per kill ratio. Since these lighted, animated signs were not effective in reducing the number of deer-vehicle accidents, it seems reasonable to assume that conventional deer crossing signs are not effective either. However, in areas where deer-vehicle accidents are especially numerous, warning signs may be useful for public relations and liability reasons.

• Availability:
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• Corporate Authors:

  Wildlife Society

  5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200
  Bethesda, MD  United States  20814-2144
• Authors:
  • Pojar, T M
• Publication Date: 1975-1

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 87-91
• Serial:
  • Journal of Wildlife Management
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Wildlife Society
  • ISSN: 0022-541X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deer; Design; Legibility; Measures of effectiveness; Prevention; Safety; Traffic signs; Warning signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Old TRIS Terms: Traffic sign design
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097030
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 1975 12:00AM