Developing a Framework for Large Animal-Vehicle Crash Risk: A Safe System Approach to Cost-Effective Safety Improvements

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly enacted The Virginia Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (Code of Virginia § 29.1-579), which directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other state agencies to identify wildlife crossing projects in Virginia by mapping wildlife corridors and identifying areas with a high risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions. Accurate crash data is critical for identifying strategic opportunities for safety measures, but research shows that police report data underrepresents deer crash volumes by up to nine times. A predictive model that uses a combination of police-reported crashes, roadway attributes, and contextual factors to flag high risk road segments would provide a more realistic indication of risk. This study aims to develop a model to identify road segments at high risk for deer- and black bear-vehicle conflicts. The model will advance the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan’s objective to prioritize wildlife crossing projects and align with the U.S.Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Safe System Approach by proactively improving road safety. A cost-benefit guidance document will be created to complement the road risk model, providing support for funding applications for safety improvement projects. Study deliverables will inform the next Virginia Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP) version and be accessible to VDOT staff and stakeholders for planning and safety evaluations.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $92,100.00
• Contract Numbers:

  126770

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903
• Performing Organizations:

  Virginia Transportation Research Council

  530 Edgemont Road
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903
• Principal Investigators:

  Donaldson, Bridget

  Hamilton, Ian

• Start Date: 20250106
• Expected Completion Date: 20260630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animal vehicle crashes; Crash data; Deer; Predictive models; Risk assessment; Wildlife crossings
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941834
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Virginia Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 126770
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 7 2025 9:33AM