Enhancing Evaluation of Wildlife Detection Systems

Every year in the U.S., wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) cause 200 human fatalities, 26,000 human injuries, considerable property damage, and substantial harm to wildlife populations, resulting in approximately $8.4 billion in total costs. One way to prevent these collisions is through the use of wildlife crossing structures. To ensure that wildlife utilize these structures, crossing designs typically include game fencing to channel wildlife to the structure. However, how much game fencing is needed to effectively direct wildlife to a crossing structure? To answer the research question, the research team will examine a wildlife crossing structure located near Lumberton, New Mexico. Novel wildlife detection technologies (i.e. Reconyx PC800 HyperFire Professional Semi-Covert Infrared Camera) will allow us to understand how much and what type of wildlife is utilizing the crossing and how we might better channel animals to crossings. By placing these cameras throughout the corridor, the research team will be able to determine whether different species, ages, and genders of wildlife are crossing the road at the ends of the fence, jumping the fence, or actually using the crossing. Observations will be supplemented with crash and carcass counts that date back to the 1990s. Past research performed by NMDOT provides us with knowledge of the wildlife present in the area and its behavior relative to roadway environments. The team will work with NMDOT and the Arizona Game and Fish Department to develop best practices for wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation, sharing those lessons nationwide to save lives (both human and wildlife) and enhance wildlife conservation efforts.

• Record URL:
  https://transet.lsu.edu/research-in-progress/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $80000
• Contract Numbers:

  19SAUNM03

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Department of Transportation

  Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Transportation Consortium of South-Central States

  Louisiana State University
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803
• Project Managers:

  Melson, Christopher

• Performing Organizations:

  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Albuquerque, NM  United States  87131-0001
• Principal Investigators:

  Ferenchak, Nicholas

• Start Date: 20190815
• Expected Completion Date: 20210215
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cameras; Crash rates; Detection and identification; Highway design; Prevention; Research; Safety; Wildlife crossings
• Geographic Terms: New Mexico
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01713240
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Consortium of South-Central States
• Contract Numbers: 19SAUNM03
• Files: UTC, RiP
• Created Date: Aug 6 2019 1:10PM