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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

THE FACILITIES FOR ANIMAL MOVEMENTS ACROSS HIGHWAYS AND ROADS

ELAINTEN KULKUJARJESTELYT TIEALUEEN POIKKI

Transport infrastructure causes habitat fragmentation dividing nature near densely populated regions and even in the countryside, into smaller and more isolated areas. This phenomenon is strong in Central Europe, but it can also be found in Finland. Moving and dispersal possibilities of animals become weaker also in rural areas. Moose accidents are the most dramatic evidence of animal movements. The obligations to facilitate animal movements are given both by traffic safety and by nature conservation. The purpose of this handbook was to create suitable facilities for animals crossing highways and roads. At the same time we described, what kind of data about animals is needed, by which criteria the facilities are planned and how all this should be included in road and project planning. By legislation, taking care of the biodiversity is required and it sets obligations, which affect both the building of new roads and the repairing old roads. The integration of animal data with road planning redirects the manner of nature conservation specialised impact research to a more ecological one. This way broader entities and the potential of nature is taken into account. The facilities for animal movements are important for species, which have large habitats or seasonal wanderings and also for species, whose dispersal is hindered by roads. The animals use the underpasses and green bridges, if these are available. Also animals actively search for underpasses alongside fenced roads. When planning crossing facilities for animals ecological expert advice should always be used. The place and construction design can be selected depending on whether we want as many animals as possible to pass through or whether we want to make it easier for rare and endangered species to pass through. Moose must be taken into consideration when dimensioning such facilities. Depending on the soil, topography, landscape and road plan, the construction plan is designed accordingly. Green bridges offers a connection over the road and traffic at ground level. Fauna passes, joint underpasses, landscape bridges, waterway bridges, culverts and drums guide animals under the road and traffic level. To ease animal movements crossing facilities can even be made to existing roads by building dry paths on the embankments under bridges or by building dry shelves or ramps inside culverts. Even a flyover, if it is in minor use, can be fitted to serve as a green bridge. By making sure that crossing facilities for animals are sufficiently dimensioned they can be combined with agriculture, forestry and recreational use. With the help of technical solutions the barrier effect of roads can be minimised. Often the question is about desire and knowledge. Crossing structures cost money, but they do improve safety and living conditions as well as the welfare of all road users and by that means also the biodiversity of living nature.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Finnish Road Administration

    Opastinsilta 12 A, P.O. Box 33
    Helsinki,   Finland  FI-00520
  • Authors:
    • VARE, S
    • HUHTA, M
    • MARTIN, M
  • Publication Date: 2003

Language

  • Finnish

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00984473
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  • ISBN: 951-803-102-9
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jan 7 2005 12:00AM