A Literature Review for Assessing the Status of Current Methods of Reducing Deer-Vehicle Collisions

This paper describes how many Americans are not homogenous in their feelings and attitudes regarding animals. Consideration of the various attitudes and demands of the public is necessary when addressing deer-vehicle reduction methods. An individual’s perception of the probability of deer-vehicle collisions may influence their attitudes regarding deer populations and various management objectives. The positive value associated with deer include recreational value for both hunters and sightseers, while negative values can include deer-vehicle collisions, Lyme disease, and damage to agricultural crops In a previous study, only 15% of metropolitan residents in the United States reported that they wanted reduced numbers of deer in their neighborhoods. Even in Iowa, responses to deer management decisions are varied and in a survey conducted in central Iowa in 1998, over 50% of respondents felt that deer populations were not too large and nearly 50% reported neutral feelings toward deer-interactions. “Cost-benefit analysis has made it clear that substantial investment in accident prevention measures is amply justified on purely economic grounds.” Previous research estimated that a device that prevented 1 deer-vehicle collision/yr, with a useful life of 5 yrs. could cost $3,020 in 1978 and still be economical. Properly maintained fencing is the only sure way to dramatically reduce deer-vehicle collisions on main roads. On high-speed, high volume roads, a combination of wildlife passages and fencing appears to be the most reliable method for reducing animal-vehicle collisions. Furthermore, to determine that passage structures are, indeed, effective, a monitoring system that uses infra-red detection equipment is necessary. Also, since drivers are ultimately responsible for the consequences of animal-vehicle collisions, public awareness campaigns and driver awareness programs should be part of future research efforts.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.public.iastate.edu/~codi/Deer/litreview2.htm
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010

  Iowa Department of Natural Resources

  502 E 9th Street
  Des Moines, IA  United States  50319
• Authors:
  • Danielson, Brent J
  • Hubbard, Michael W
• Publication Date: 1998-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 28p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animal vehicle crashes; Animals; Crash analysis; Crash victim simulation; Deer; Fences; Habitat (Ecology); High risk locations; Highway safety; Roadside fauna
• Uncontrolled Terms: Animal populations; Deer-vehicle collisions
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01076794
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 21 2007 1:55PM