United States Department of Transportation
i
Wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation for safer wildlife movement across highways : State Route 260.
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2012-12-01
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[PDF-2.87 MB]
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Edition:Final report.
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Abstract:Researchers investigated wildlife-highway relationships in central Arizona from 2002 to 2008 along a 17-mile stretch
of State Route (SR) 260, which is being reconstructed in five phases and will have 11 wildlife underpasses and
6 bridges. Phased reconstruction allowed researchers to use a before-after-control experimental approach to their
research. The objectives of the project were to:
Assess and compare wildlife use of underpasses (UPs)
Evaluate highway permeability and wildlife movements among reconstruction classes
Characterize wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) patterns and changes with reconstruction
Assess relationships among traffic volume and WVCs, wildlife crossing patterns, and UP use
Assess the role of ungulate-proof fencing with WVCs, wildlife UP use, and wildlife permeability
Researchers used video surveillance to assess and compare wildlife use of six UPs, at which 15,134 animals and 11
species were recorded; 67.5 percent crossed through UPs. Modeling found that UP structure type and placement was
the most important factor influencing the probability of successful crossings by elk (Cervus elaphus) and Coues whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Researchers used Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry tracking of 100 elk
and 13 white-tailed deer to assess and compare permeability. Elk permeability on reconstructed sections was 39
percent lower than controls, while deer permeability was 433 percent higher on reconstructed sections. The elkvehicle collision (EVC) rate on fenced reconstructed sections was the same as before-reconstruction levels, but on
unfenced sections the EVC rate was nearly four times higher. In addition to a safer and more environmentally friendly
highway, the economic benefit from reduced EVCs on SR 260 averaged $2 million/year since the completion of
three reconstructed highway sections.
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