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

Design Recommendations from Five Years of Wildlife Crossing Research Across Utah

A state-wide camera trap study of how wildlife used 35 bridges and culverts to move under and above roads provided data that can greatly assist in the design of future wildlife crossing structures and the retrofit of existing multiple-use structures to facilitate the passage of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), and other wildlife. The objectives of the study were to: 1. Evaluate how successful different types of bridges and culverts were in passing mule deer, elk, and moose; and 2. Evaluate other wildlife species’ use of different types of structures to detect preferences in structure types and in relation to water conveyed in structures. Using 44 cameras over five years, 15 wildlife crossing structures, 20 multiple-use structures, and five pre-construction sites were monitored. Wildlife exclusion fencing (8 feet, 2.4 meters high) was present at all wildlife crossing structures for a minimum of one mile in each direction. There were a total of 20 culverts, 13 bridges, and two overpasses monitored along seven highways. Cameras were placed at culvert and bridge entrances to examine both animals that used the structures and those that approached and then repelled away. Camera traps produced over 2 million pictures over 40,000 plus camera days. All designated wildlife crossing bridges and culverts were used by mule deer, the target species of these structures. Individual mule deer were recorded moving successfully through these structures on over 31,000 occasions. Success rate at each structure was defined as the number of successful individual animal movements through divided by the total number of animals photographed at the entrances. Bridged wildlife crossings had a higher average success rates for mule deer (86.5%) compared to wildlife crossing culverts average success rate (74.3%). Statistical analyses found culvert length was the most important dimension relative to mule deer crossing success rates; the shorter the length, the greater the success rate. The width of the crossing was the second most important dimension, and the height was the least important. Elk were reluctant to use any structures, on just 73 occasions elk used structures. All but seven elk passages were by bull elk. All ages and both genders of moose used a corrugated steel culvert in northern Utah, but were seldom recorded at other structures. Carnivores successfully moved through culverts under bridges and over a wildlife crossing overpass throughout the state, but were not photographed in all structures. Meso-mammals were more often photographed in culverts. Recommendations for the design of future wildlife crossing structures include open bridges with spans that approach or exceed 100 feet (30.5m), culverts well under 200 feet (61m) long, structures in conjunction with streams and water features to help increase the diversity of species present, and the installation of wildlife exclusion fencing. Future research in specific areas with specific populations of different species is necessary to determine local and regional species’ preferences.

  • Summary URL:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Abstract used with permission from the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation, organized by the Center for Transportation and the Environment, Institute for Transportation Research and Education, North Carolina State University.
  • Corporate Authors:

    North Carolina State University, Raleigh

    Center for Transportation and the Environment
    Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-8601
  • Authors:
    • Cramer, Patricia
  • Conference:
  • Publication Date: 2013

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 13p
  • Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET 2013)

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01558117
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Mar 27 2015 5:02PM