The Wildlife Protection System: Applications for Wildlife/Vehicle Collision Reduction and Wildlife Behavior Research

The Wildlife Protection System (WPS) is designed to use high-powered "QWIP" infrared cameras to detect the presence of wildlife on or near the highway. When wildlife is detected, flashing lights are triggered warning drivers to reduce speed and anticipate wildlife on the roadway. The first trial of this system was initiated in the summer of 2002 in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada. In the trial, two cameras were mounted on a 6m pole at either end of a 2 km stretch of highway. Adjacent to each pole was a trailer containing a computer (with tracking software), radar guns, and a conventional video camera. Continuous (24-hour) infrared and conventional video footage was recorded. In addition, an "event log" was generated in an excel spreadsheet that recorded each animal detection and traffic speeds before and within the test zone. The objectives of this project are to: (1)determine the accuracy of the "Wildlife Protection System" at detecting wildlife and warning motorists; (2)determine the speed response of drivers to wildlife activated warning lights; and (3) document wildlife behavior near highways using 24-hour infrared video footage in order to develop more effective wildlife collision mitigation strategies.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $750000.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Intranstech Corporation

  P.O. Box 815
  Postal Station M
  Calgary T2P 2J6, Alberta   

  Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

  ,    

  Parks Canada

  P.O. Box 900
  Calgary, Alberta   

  British Columbia Conservation Foundation

  British Columbia,    

  Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

  301 Victoria Street
  Suite 210
  Kamloops V2C 2A3, British Columbia   
• Project Managers:

  Gilfillan, Graham

• Performing Organizations:

  Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

  301 Victoria Street
  Suite 210
  Kamloops V2C 2A3, British Columbia   
• Principal Investigators:

  Newhouse, Nancy

• Start Date: 20011101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20040831
• Source Data: RiP Project 7595

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highways; Research projects; Speed; Traffic lanes; Warning devices; Warning signals; Warning systems; Wildlife
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Research; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01459272
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• Files: RiP
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 1:00PM