Patterns of Domestic Animal-Vehicle Collisions on Tribal Lands in Montana

Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) are a significant concern for motorist safety and pose a risk to both wildlife and domestic animals. This report analyzes spatial patterns of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and domestic animal-vehicle collisions (DAVCs) on Montana’s tribal lands to identify high-risk areas and inform mitigation strategies. Data from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) for large mammal carcasses (2008–2022) and reported crashes (2008–2020) were used to perform Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Getis-Ord Gi* (GOG) hotspot analyses for three tribal reservations with sufficient data: Blackfeet, Crow, and Flathead. The KDE results show distinct spatial patterns for DAVCs and WVCs on each reservation, with DAVC hotspots concentrated near agricultural and grazing areas, while WVC hotspots were associated with natural habitats and wildlife corridors. The GOG analysis further revealed that DAVC hotspots tend to be more temporally stable, suggesting that collisions with domestic animals are influenced by consistent factors such as livestock access points and grazing practices. In contrast, WVC hotspots were more variable, likely driven by changes in wildlife movement patterns and seasonal behavior. Overall, the findings indicate that the elevated rates of DAVCs on tribal lands, compared to non-tribal lands, are likely due to unique factors such as open range grazing practices and road infrastructure adjacent to grazing lands. This report emphasizes the need for targeted mitigation strategies on tribal roads, such as enhanced livestock fencing, road signage, and livestock underpasses in high-risk areas, to reduce collisions and improve safety for both motorists and animals. Understanding the distinct spatial and temporal patterns of DAVCs and WVCs is crucial for developing comprehensive mitigation approaches that enhance safety and connectivity on Montana’s tribal lands.

• Record URL:
  https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/research_projects/patterns-of-domestic-animal-vehicle-collisions-on-tribal-lands-in-montana/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $107862
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747122

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Marino, Karen

• Performing Organizations:

  Western Transportation Institute

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

  Bell, Matthew

• Start Date: 20230201
• Expected Completion Date: 20240930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animal vehicle crashes; Tribal government
• Geographic Terms: Montana
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01890840
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747122
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 23 2023 4:26PM