Optimization of Measures to Prevent Collisions of Animals and Road Traffic

Abstract

The movement of animals on roads often causes a collision with vehicles. This not only results in the loss of animal population, but also in social losses - consequences of road accidents. This issue can be dealt with by restricting the movement of animals across roads - most commonly by fencing along roads in combination with construction of overpasses for safe crossing over roads. However, these measures also have their drawbacks - fragmentation of landscape, costs on construction and maintenance. These measures should be designed on the basis of an analysis of migration routes of animals, migration potential of an area (and thus increased movement of animals over a road), and on the basis of characteristics of the traffic flow on a given road. In 2011-2014, EDIP co. together with HBH Projekt have been working on a research project focused on the methodology for optimization of designing measures which should guide/regulate the movement of animals across the road. EVERNIA co. also participates in the project. The project is financially supported by the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic. The outcome will come in the form of a methodology which becomes a part of the regulations for designing roads.

Keywords

• Traffic collision
• wildlife mitigation
• landscape fragmentation