Data Concerns Related to Defining and Solving the Deer-Vehicle Crash Problem Traffic Records Forum Nashville, TN July 25-29, 2004 Keith K. Knapp UW-Madison Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse PRESENTATION CONTENT The DVC Information Clearinghouse What We Think We Know The Problem The Solutions Some DVC Data Concerns: Its Not Just DOT Crash Data Suggestions for the Future THE DVCIC National DVC Reduction Working Group Conference (2000) WisDOT Funded DVCIC: July 2001 Regional Participation: IA, IL, MI, MN, and WI DOT and DNR Technical Advisory Committee and Board Members DVCIC OBJECTIVES Compile Current Knowledge Develop/Promote Standard Research Investigate Data Collection/Estimates Collect, Analyze, Evaluate, and Summarize Regional DVC-Related Data Disseminate and Distribute Information Long Term - Contribute to a Decrease PUT MORE SIMPLY Clearly Define the Significance of the Problem - Safety and Cost Distribute What we Really Know and Dont Know about Countermeasures (in an Unbiased Manner) Help Folks make More Informed Decisions with Respect to Countermeasure Installation/Evaluation More Effective Use of Limited Funds NOT A NEW PROBLEM 1929 BUT IT IS AN ONGOING ONE 2002 THE PROBLEM - NATIONAL National DVC Estimates Maybe Around 1.5 Million Maybe More than $1 Billion Basis is Murky Estimated that Reported DVCs Only Represent About Half of Those that Occur THE PROBLEM - REGIONAL Notes: 1) ) Deer or Animal (IA) Crashes. 3) Reported versus Estimated. 4) Min. Reporting Thresholds Differ: $400, $500, & $1,000. 5) $1,700/Crash Vehicle Damage. THE PROBLEM - WISCONSIN One of Six or Seven Crashes About 20,000/year Reported Some Counties > 45 or 50% More than 40,000/year Carcasses Removed THE SOLUTIONS- MITIGATION 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 Public Information and Education Wildlife Crossings MITIGATION & CRASH REDUCTION 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: CRASH REDUCTION (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) GENERAL SOLUTION FINDINGS AASHTO Safety Plan Strategy Categories - All Tried or Experimental, but none Proven Many References: Some Helpful and Others Detrimental Definitive Studies of Countermeasure DVC-Reduction Effectiveness are Non-Existent for the Most Part FINDINGS (CONT.) Need to Match/Focus Potential Mitigation Measure(s) to Roadway Locations - Define the Problem Need to More Properly Evaluate Existing/New Measures - Solve the Problem Properly Defined Data is Vital to the Activities Above SOME 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 State, County, and Local [Federal] DVC DATA CONCERNS (CONT.) Typical DVC-Related Databases and Locations Reported DVCs: DOT, State Patrol, DPS Self-Reported DVCs: DOT State Patrol, DPS Volume/Travel Estimates: DOT, Local Govt Carcass Removal Permits: DNR, Possibly DOT Carcass Removals: DNR, Contractors, Local/State Maintenance Crews Insurance Reports (Comprehensive): Private Internal Trucking Crash Records: Private Other Factors - Land Use/Cover, Deer Pop., Human Pop.: Multiple Locations 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 CONFOUNDING 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 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE 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 SUGGESTIONS(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: