The Effects of Light and Noise Pollution on Wildlife Use of Highway Crossing Structures

Highway crossing structures are often used by transportation agencies to mitigate habitat fragmentation and wildlife vehicle collisions. To implement efficient design of appropriate crossing structures, their efficacy needs to be examined using rigorous and appropriate methods. As part of their dissertation, the researcher will assess the efficacy of crossing structures, in particular underpasses and culverts, across the state of California. The researcher will employ innovative methods such as camera trapping and global positioning system (GPS) telemetry to decipher wildlife movement and behavioral responses within a fragmented habitat, focusing on traffic-related light and noise pollution that may contribute to the efficacy of crossing structures. Results will guide the decision-making process for wildlife managers, practitioners, and agencies specific to ongoing and future transportation projects. Furthermore, results will offer solutions to the broader conservation community in how to evaluate the conservation tools they are currently utilizing.

Record URL:

Language

English

Project

Status: Active
Funding: $25000
Contract Numbers:
DOT 69A3551747114
Sponsor Organizations:
National Center for Sustainable Transportation

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA United States

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590

University of California, Davis

1 Shields Ave
Davis, California United States 95616
Managing Organizations:
National Center for Sustainable Transportation

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA United States
Project Managers:
lacobucci, Lauren
Performing Organizations:
National Center for Sustainable Transportation

University of California, Davis
Davis, CA United States
Principal Investigators:
Collins, Amy
Start Date: 20190901
Expected Completion Date: 20200930
Actual Completion Date: 0
USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Animal vehicle crashes; Behavior; Evaluation and assessment; Global Positioning System; Habitat (Ecology); Hazard mitigation; Light; Noise; Pollution control; Telemetry; Wildlife; Wildlife crossings
Geographic Terms: California
Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01708763
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: National Center for Sustainable Transportation
Contract Numbers: DOT 69A3551747114
Files: UTC, RiP
Created Date: Jun 26 2019 1:50PM