The Incorporation of Wildlife Crossing Structures into TxDOT’s Projects and Operations: White Paper
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2019-06-01
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Abstract:Each year an average of 7,585 crashes that involve either wild or domestic animals are reported to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) (TxDOT crash data, 2010–2017). From 2010 to 2017, 160 people lost their lives in these crashes and hundreds more sustained injuries. To reduce these collisions, and make Texas roads safer for the traveling public, it is important to provide opportunities for wildlife to cross beneath or above the roadway via wildlife crossing structures. TxDOT commissioned the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at the University of Texas at Austin to conduct this research project to review the state of the practice in animal-vehicle conflict mitigation options and provide guidance. This research project summarized national and statewide efforts to reduce animal-vehicle conflict, analyzed the animal-involved crash data in Texas, developed a methodology to identify animal-vehicle crash hot spots, and evaluated the benefits and costs of developing certain wildlife crossing structures. To make consideration of wildlife crossings a routine part of the TxDOT project development procedure, this project also recommended language modifications to 18 TxDOT manuals and developed a guidelines document on wildlife crossing structures. The project findings demonstrate that data-driven, carefully planned, and well-designed wildlife crossing structures can enhance traffic safety significantly, are cost-effective, and ensure that TxDOT plays a considerable role in preserving wildlife for the benefit of future Texans. The purpose of this white paper is to provide a high-level overview concerning animal-vehicle conflict, including these elements: What are the safety and economic impacts of animal-vehicle conflict? Under what conditions should wildlife crossing structures be considered? How can planners identify the optimal mitigation strategies and what implementation issues need to be considered? What are some successful experiences from Texas and other states? Developing wildlife crossing structures or other mitigation strategies is a complicated process, one that needs to be supported by detailed data analysis. Its success is highly dependent on the collaboration within and among different divisions within TxDOT and also other relevant wildlife and resource agencies. The findings and final products of this project are expected to help make wildlife crossing structure consideration and creation a regular part of TxDOT’s project development procedure and contribute to TxDOT’s role as a leading state in reducing animal-vehicle conflict issues.
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