Critical Issues - DVC Reduction Research and Data Collection 2005 Fall Meeting Madison, WI October 24-25, 2005 Keith K. Knapp UW-Madison Deer-Vehicle Crash.

Critical Issues - DVC Reduction Research and Data Collection

2005 Fall MeetingMadison, WI

October 24-25, 2005

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Keith K. KnappUW-Madison

Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghousewww.deercrash.com

PRESENTATION CONTENT• Research: Deer-Vehicle Crash

Countermeasure Toolbox Objective and Content General Findings, Category Conclusions, and

General Recommendations (Safety Focus)

• Data Collection: Regional Data Management and Information Survey

Recall Objectives Conclusions and Concerns Recommendations

THE TOOLBOX• Objective: Provide Detail Needed to

Support/Defend DVC Countermeasure Application Decisions and Choices

• Current Knowledge Related to DVC Reduction Effectiveness

• Exec. Summary and Three Chapters

• 16 Countermeasures Considered

THE COUNTERMEASURES• Noise/Sound/Whistle

Devices• Reflectors/Mirrors• Deer-Flagging Models• Deer Crossing Signs• Intercept Feeding• Speed Limit Reduction• Highway Lighting• Repellants• Deicing Salt Alternatives• In-Vehicle Technologies

• Roadside Vegetation Management

• Hunting or Herd Reduction• Exclusionary Fence• Roadway Development

Decisions/Policies• Public Information and

Education• Wildlife Crossings

GENERAL FINDINGS

• Multitude of “References” (500+)

• Comparably Few Valid, and Well Designed and Documented Studies

• Many Conflicting or Inconclusive Research ResultsVariability and/or Validity of Data and

Approach

Time, Area, and Dollars

GENERAL FINDINGS (Cont.)

• Definitive Studies of Countermeasure DVC-Reduction Effectiveness are Rare

• One Common Solution Unlikely

• Work Required to Match/Focus Measure(s) to Locations

• Definitively Exclude/Include Widely Used Measures, and Properly Evaluate New Measures Upfront

COUNTERMEASURE CATEGORIES

Deer Whistles Roadside

Reflectors/Mirrors Speed Limit Reduction Signs and Sign

Technology Hunting and Herd

Reduction

Roadside Vegetation Management

In-Vehicle Technologies Deicing Salt Alternatives Public Information and

Education Roadway Maintenance,

Design, and Planning Policies

10 of 16 Measures Used but Rarely/Never Been Studied or with Conflicting Results:

…CATEGORIES (Cont.)2 of 16 Measures Used with Generally Positive Results:

Exclusionary Fencing Wildlife Crossings

4 of 16 Measures Not Generally Used but Rarely Studied:

Roadway Lighting Deer-Flagging Models Intercept Feeding Repellents (on Roadways)

…CATEGORIES (Cont.)• AASHTO Safety Plan Strategy Categories

“Experimental” “Tried” “Proven”

• Concluded all But 2 DVC Countermeasures were “Experimental” or “Tried”

• Fencing and Crossing Safety Analysis Work also Stills Need Improvement

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Measures Used with Conflicting Results and “Tried” - Definitively Determine Positive/Negative Safety Impacts

• Measures Used with Positive Results and Generally “Proven” - Apply Currently Accepted Standards of Safety Data Analysis and Answer more Detailed Application Questions

RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont.)• Measures Used but Rarely Studied

and “Tried” - Proper Study of Effectiveness (Replicate and Improve on Past Limited Evaluations)

• Measures Used but Rarely Studied and “Experimental” - Pilot Study Application with Currently Accepted Standards of Safety Data Analysis

RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont.)• Measures Used but Not Studied and

“Tried” or “Experimental” - Initial Evaluations and/or Pilot Study Applications Required

• Measures Not Generally Used but Rarely Studied and “Experimental - Proper Evaluation at a Pilot Study Level to Refute/Confirm Previous Individual Study Results

REGIONAL SURVEY OBJECTIVES

• Share DVC-Related Data Characteristics and Collection/Management Procedures Used by Individual States with DVCIC Partners and Beyond

• Allow Proper DVC-Related Data Comparisons Between and Within States

• Allow Proper DVC-Related Data Combinations within Region Annually and from Year to Year within States

SURVEY CONCLUSIONS• Annual Deer Population Estimates done Pre-

or Post-Hunt at DMU or County Level

• DNRs Rarely Consulted on Roadway Planning Projects about Animal/Vehicle Conflicts

• DNR Officers and Others Issue/Record Carcass Salvage/Possession Permits

• A Few Combine/Summarize Permits and Removals if Data is Collected as Estimate of “Actual” DVCs (Some Also Collect Location)

SURVEY CONCLUSIONS (Cont.)

• For Most States Carcass Removal is Primarily a State and Local DOT Job - Done When Needed, but Usually not Recorded

• “Reported” DVC often Means Something Different to DNR and DOT

• DNRs Typically Not Consulted about Deer Crossing Sign Locations

• Similar Issues Occur Nationwide

DVC DATA CONCERNS• Typical PDO Data Characteristics

Under-Reporting Specificity of Location Different Minimum Reporting Thresholds

• Relevant Database Locations Intra-agency Interagency Interdisciplinary Public, Private, and Non-Profit Federal, State, County, and Local

…DVC DATA CONCERNS (CONT.)

• Poor Documentation of Data/Terminology in “DVC” Summaries and Research

• For Example in Past Reports: “DVC” = “Roadkill” Observed, Roadside

Permit Numbers, and Officially Reported Crashes

These are NOT Equal in Magnitude or Location

• Possible that “Best” Data is not Generally Collected/Recorded by Location

• Lack of Species-Specific Crash Input

DVC DATA CONCERN IMPACTS• Definition of Overall Problem

and Problem Locations• Spatial and Temporal

Combinations and Comparisons• Understandability and

Usefulness of DVC Safety Research Results

• The “What” and “Where” Questions of Implementation

RECOMMENDATIONS• Continue to Encourage Activities that

Increase Reporting and Locational Accuracy

• Properly Define Available DVC-Related Databases Statewide, Regionally, and Nationally

• Properly Document Magnitude, Trends, and/or Location of DVC Problem Statewide, Regionally, and/or Nationally

RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont.)• Encourage Quality Control of Standard

DVC Countermeasure Research and its Documentation

• Pilot Study Collection/Recording of Roadside Carcass Locations - Compare to Reported DVCs

• Encourage DVC Countermeasure Implementation and Monitoring by Multidisciplinary Teams

Questions and Discussion

Website: www.deercrash.com