NTL Record

Title Evaluation of measures to minimize wildlife vehicle collisions and maintain wildlife permeability across highways : Arizona Route 260
Record ID 30618
Personal Name
Creator
Dodd, Norris L; Gagnon, Jeffrey W; Boe, Susan; Manzo, Amanda; Schweinsburg, Raymond E
Source 187p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator Arizona. Game and Fish Dept. Research Branch; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publisher Arizona. Department of Transportation
Publication Date 20070800
Language English
Abstract The authors conducted wildlife-highway relationships research from 2002-2006 along a 17-mile stretch of State Route 260 in Arizona which is being reconstructed in five phases with 11 wildlife underpasses and six bridges. Reconstruction phasing allowed the authors to use a before-after-control experimental approach in their research. The objectives of their research were: 1) assess and compare wildlife use of underpasses; 2) evaluate highway permeability and wildlife movements among reconstruction classes; 3) characterize wildife-vehicle collision patterns and changes with reconstruction; 4) assess relationships among highway traffic volume and wildlife vehicle collisions, elk crossing patterns, and wildlife use of underpasses; 5) assess the role that ungulate-proof fencing plays in wildlife vehicle collisions, wildlife use of underpasses, and wildlife permeability; 6) provide ongoing highway reconstruction implementation guidance. The authors used video surveillance to assess and compare wildlife use of five underpasses at which they recorded 8,455 animals and 11 different species; 5,560 of these animals (65.8%) crossed through the underpass. The authors employed global positioning system telemetry to assess highway permeability across SR 260, with 65 elk fitted with receiver collars. Elk crossed State Route 260 5,749 times. Elk permeability on reconstructed highway (0.43 crossings/approach) was half that of control sections. Permeability increased 60% after ungulate-proof fencing was erected on a reconstructed section. Effective monitoring and adaptive management yielded benefits to highway safety and wildlife permeability alike.
Rosap ID dot:5630
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/5630
TRT Terms Crashes; Highways; Reconstruction; Underpasses; Ungulates; Wildlife
General Subjects Arizona State Route 260; Animal vehicle collisions; Elk; Wildlife fencing
Classification NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Accidents;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Highway Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY
Geographical
Coverage
Arizona
OCLC 213197278
TRIS Online
Accession No
01091792
Contract Number ECS File No. JPA 01-152; JPA 04-024T
Report Number FHWA-AZ-07-540
Resource type Research Paper
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/30000/30600/30618/AZ540.pdf
Alternative URL http://www.azdot.gov/TPD/ATRC/publications/project_reports/PDF/AZ540.pdf; https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/26000/26800/26859/AZ540.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository