Evaluation of an Animal Warning System Effectiveness

The number of animal-vehicle collisions continues to rise and represents one of the few areas in surface transportation where safety is not improving. The effectiveness of animal warning systems in detecting wildlife on the roadside was studied, and driver response to warnings resulting from the type of animal detection system selected was measured. A site was selected and a testbed built in Lewistown, Montana to evaluate the reliability of various animal detection systems. Background on the number of animal-vehicle collisions, factors that influence these collisions, as well as a description of the Roadway Animal Detection System (RADS) by ICx Technologies and its break-the-beam system are provided. The substantial downtime of the system (40%) due to snow and ice buildup on sensors and disabling the beam was a concern. Phase two of the project will include more evaluation of the RADS system.

[1]  R Kistler.  Wissenschaftliche Begleitung der Wildwarnanlagen Calstrom WWA-12-S. Juli 1995 - November 1997. Schlussbericht , 1998 .

[2]  Christopher Nowakowski,et al.  Evaluation of an Animal Warning System Effectiveness Phase Two , 2012 .

[3]  Michael R. Conover,et al.  Monetary and intangible valuation of deer in the United States. , 1997 .

[4]  Patrick Tracy McGowen,et al.  Animal Vehicle Crash Mitigation Using Advanced Technology, Phase I: Review, Design and Implementation , 2006 .

[5]  A. Clevenger,et al.  Research, part of a Special Feature on Effects of Roads and Traffic on Wildlife Populations and Landscape Function Cost-Benefit Analyses of Mitigation Measures Aimed at Reducing Collisions with Large Ungulates in the United States and Canada: a Decision Support Tool , 2009 .

[6]  M. Proctor.  GENETIC ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENT, DISPERSAL AND POPULATION FRAGMENTATION OF GRIZZLY BEARS IN SOUTHWESTERN CANADA , 2003 .

[7]  M. Huijser,et al.  The effect of roads and traffic on hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations , 2000 .

[8]  R. Allen,et al.  Deer-Car Accidents in Southern Michigan , 1976 .

[9]  Patrick Tracy McGowen,et al.  Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Reduction Study: Report to Congress , 2007 .

[10]  Patrick Tracy McGowen,et al.  OVERVIEW OF ANIMAL DETECTION AND ANIMAL WARNING SYSTEMS IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE , 2003 .

[11]  Conover,et al.  Review of Human Injuries, Illnesses, and Economic Losses Caused by Wildlife in the United States , 1995 .

[12]  Stanley H. Anderson,et al.  Ineffectiveness of Swareflex Reflectors at Reducing Deer-Vehicle Collisions , 1993 .

[13]  Carol Nehring,et al.  National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals , 1980 .

[14]  Anthony P. Clevenger,et al.  Highway mitigation fencing reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions , 2001 .

[15]  J. G. de Molenaar,et al.  Effectiviteit van wildspiegels; een literatuurevaluatie , 1998 .

[16]  British Columbia,et al.  Evaluation of the Wildlife Protection System Deployed on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park During Autumn, 2003 , 2003 .

[17]  Patrick Tracy McGowen,et al.  The Comparison of Animal Detection Systems in a Test-Bed: A Quantitative Comparison of System Reliability and Experiences with Operation and Maintenance Final report , 2009 .

[18]  Marc Green,et al.  "How Long Does It Take to Stop?" Methodological Analysis of Driver Perception-Brake Times , 2000 .

[19]  Laura A. Romin,et al.  Deer-Vehicle Collisions: Nationwide Status of State Monitoring Activities and Efforts , 1996 .

[20]  D. F. Reed,et al.  Effectiveness of a Lighted, Animated Deer Crossing Sign , 1975 .

[21]  Aksel Bo Madsen,et al.  Effectiveness of Wildlife Warning Reflectors in Reducing Deer-Vehicle Collisions: A Behavioral Study , 1998 .

[22]  Juliet Clutton-Brock,et al.  Horse , 2011, Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology.

[23]  Humphrey,et al.  Use of Highway Underpasses by Florida Panthers and Other Wildlife , 1995 .