GUIDANCE FOR THE SELECTION OF A MORE COST EFFECTIVE ANIMAL CARCASS MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTS

1.2 million deer-vehicle collisions occurred in the U.S. from 2007 to 2008, and removing deer and other carcasses from the road is an essential service provided by transportation departments. Given the magnitude of animal-vehicle collisions in the U.S., some of the carcass disposal methods available to many transportation maintenance areas are becoming increasingly impractical. On-site burial is becoming a less viable option for many maintenance areas as rural areas become more populated and there is increased concern for environmental quality. Yet driving the sometimes considerable distances to reach the nearest disposal facility is greatly inefficient in terms of time and labor. The purpose of this study was to investigate and recommend cost-efficient options that address the growing problem of carcass management. Methods evaluated in this study include on-site burial, disposal facilities, contracts for removal and disposal, incineration units, and composting. Cost models were developed to allow maintenance managers to evaluate their costs incurred for carcass management for comparison with costs of other methods, and a decision tool is provided to further guide the selection of an alternative management option. Compost windrows or static-pile composting is recommended as a low maintenance form of carcass management that can be located at the maintenance area. In Virginia, if maintenance areas that frequently use disposal facilities for carcass disposal were to replace this method with compost windrows, $515,440 per year could be avoided or reallocated in the department. When space for compost windrows is unavailable, an automatic compost vessel can be a practical option.