United States Department of Transportation
i
Development and evaluation of devices designed to minimize deer-vehicle collisions : phase II.
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2010-12-01
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[PDF-2.59 MB]
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Edition:Final; Mar. 2007-Dec. 2010.
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Abstract:We evaluated behavioral responses of captive white-tailed deer to visual and physical barriers designed to minimize deer-vehicle collisions, determined effects of exclusion fencing on movements of free-ranging deer, and further tested the visual capabilities of deer, as related to potential mitigation strategies. We tested the efficacy of several fencing designs and that of a layer of rip-rap rock for restricting movements of captive deer. Woven-wire fences <1.8 m tall, similar heights of opaque fencing, and rip-rap rock each were ineffective. Both 1.8-m and 2.4-m woven-wire fences were relatively more effective. Woven-wire fences >2.1-m tall and 1.2-m woven-wire fences with a top-mounted outrigger were most effective. We studied movements of free-ranging deer before and after construction of 1.6-km of 2.4-m woven-wire and 1.6-km of 1.2-m woven-wire with a top-mounted outrigger. Fencing did not affect deer home range size, and deer often circumvented fence ends. Daily deer movements in response to fencing were reduced by 98% and 90% for the 2.4-m and outrigger designs, respectively. The outrigger design has potential for reducing collisions because of its relative affordability and ability to function as a 1-way barrier. To further test deer vision, as related to deterrents to roadway crossing, we developed an automated system for training deer to associate a white-light stimulus with a food reward. Each of six captive deer correctly identified the positive reward in >75% of trials by Day 19. We will use this system to further characterize the visual thresholds of deer, and to test innovative roadside mitigation strategies.
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