Methodology for Prioritizing Appropriate Mitigation Actions to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions on Idaho Highways

Vehicle collisions with large wild animals are a safety issue for motorists and an ecological concern for wildlife populations. The objective of this research was to advance the efficacy of Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD’s) project planning to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife and to provide wildlife connectivity options across and under roads. A Wildlife-Vehicle Collision (WVC) Prioritization Process was developed through lessons learned from other U.S. States and Ontario Canada’s efforts, and Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling of data and maps already available in Idaho. The GIS maps were based on WVC crash and carcass data, Wildlife Highway Linkages maps, and species’ habitat maps. The resulting maps of WVC priority areas statewide and within ITD districts were the first of a 13 step process developed for the project. Users of this process further identify priority areas in ITD Districts based on other data such as: Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) knowledge of wildlife populations, transportation plans, land ownership, field surveys of existing structures, options such as fencing, bridges, and culvert, and their cost-effectiveness. This WVC Prioritization Process was a step along a series of actions which ITD has undertaken and will continue to take to reduce risks associated with WVC and provide wildlife connectivity along Idaho roads.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/30792
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/30807
• Corporate Authors:

  Utah State University, Logan

  Wildland Resources Department
  5230 Old Main Hill
  Logan, Utah  United States  84322-5230

  Idaho Transportation Department

  Division of Engineering Services, Contracting Services, Research Program
  P.O. Box 7129
  Boise, ID  United States  83707-7129
• Authors:
  • Cramer, Patricia C
  • Gifford, Suzanne
  • Crabb, Benjamin
  • McGinty, Christopher
  • Ramsey, Douglas
  • Shilling, Fraser
  • Kintsch, Julia
  • Gunson, Kari
  • Jacobson, Sandra
• Publication Date: 2014-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 280p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash data; Crashes; Geographic information systems; Methodology; Risk management; States; Strategic planning; Wildlife; Wildlife crossings
• Geographic Terms: Idaho; Ontario (Province)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01599213
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-ID-14-229
• Contract Numbers: RP 229
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 20 2016 3:47PM