Animal Vehicle Crash Mitigation Using Advanced Technology, Phase I: Review, Design and Implementation

Animal-vehicle collisions affect human safety, property and wildlife. The number of these types of collisions has increased substantially over the last decades. This report describes the results of a project that explored the prospects for a relatively new mitigation measure to reduce animal-vehicle collisions: animal detection systems. Animal detection systems use high tech equipment to detect large animals when they approach the road. Once a large animal is detected, warning signs are activated urging drivers to reduce the speed of their vehicles, be more alert, or both. Lower vehicle speed and increased alertness may then lead to fewer and less severe collisions with such animals as deer (Odocoileus sp.), elk (Cervus elaphus) or moose (Alces alces). This report documents Phase I of the project (October 1999 - December 2005). The report identifies existing animal detection system technologies and their vendors; describes the selection of two experimental detection systems and their installation at two field sites; documents the experiences with planning and design, installation, operation and maintenance; documents test results on the reliability of the two systems; documents system acceptance; and provides advice for the future development and application of animal detection systems.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/ResearchDocuments/AnimalVehicle.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21863
• Corporate Authors:

  Western Transportation Institute

  Montana State University, Bozeman
  P.O. Box 174250
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717-4250

  Oregon Department of Transportation

  Research Section, 200 Hawthorne Avenue, SE, Suite B-240
  Salem, OR  United States  97301-5192

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Huijser, Marcel P
  • McGowen, Patrick T
  • Camel, Whisper
  • Hardy, Amanda
  • Wright, Patrick
  • Clevenger, Anthony P
  • Salsman, Lloyd
  • Wilson, Terry
• Publication Date: 2006-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report - Phase I
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 292p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alertness; Animal vehicle crashes; Crashes; Deer; Design; Habitat; Highway safety; Installation; Intelligent transportation systems; Road kill; Speed; Technological innovations; Ungulates; Warning signs; Wildlife
• Uncontrolled Terms: Animal detection systems; Dynamic warning signs; Elk; Moose
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01033133
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-OR-TPF-07-01
• Contract Numbers: SPR 3(076)
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 25 2006 3:33PM