Critical Issues - DVC Reduction Research and Data Collection

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 THE COUNTERMEASURES • Roadside Vegetation Management • Hunting or Herd Reduction • Exclusionary Fence • Roadway Development Decisions/Policies • Public Information and Education • Wildlife Crossings

5. GENERAL FINDINGS • Multitude of “References” (500+) • Comparably Few Valid, and Well Designed and Documented Studies • Many Conflicting or Inconclusive Research Results • Variability and/or Validity of Data and Approach • Time, Area, and Dollars

6. 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

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

8. …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)

9. …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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. …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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Questions and Discussion Website: www.deercrash.com