Colorado State Highway 13, Craig, Wildlife Mitigation Monitoring Project

The Colorado State Highway 13 Wildlife Mitigation Monitoring Project

This SH 13 Wildlife Mitigation Measures Research Study evaluates the effectiveness of wildlife mitigation measures installed in CDOT’s SH 13 Fortification Creek Improvement Project. The main objective is to determine the effectiveness of the wildlife mitigation on wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs). The five-mile project includes the following wildlife mitigation measures: four low (4 feet) fence sections, one with a wildlife- detection driver warning system; three high (8 feet) fence sections, one with a wildlife crossing structure underpass; 11 dual sided escape ramps; and two electrified ZapCreteTM wildlife deterrent mats at intersections. The research uses camera traps on the underpass, four escape ramps, three fence ends, a ZapCrete mat, and the wildlife-detection driver warning system. The researchers also analyze video data from the detection system to evaluate it efficacy in illuminating lights and signs to slow down drivers when medium-to-large sized wildlife are present.

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