Rosell, C., Fernández-Bou, M., Camps, F., Boronat, C., Navàs, F., Martínez, M.A. y Sorolla, A. Animal-vehicle collisions: a new cooperative strategy is needed to reduce the conflict. Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh: Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University. 2013, Vol. 206, pag. 24.
Animal-vehicle collisions are a major issue for traffic safety. Despite the measures applied to reduce the conflict, the numbers of accidents involving wildlife are still increasing in many European countries. Wild ungulates (mainly roe deer and, in Mediterranean countries, wild boar) are often involved in accidents. The road and environment administrations of the regional government of Catalonia (northeastern Spain) are carrying out a project that includes i) data collection on accidents involving animals, ii) the identification by GIS analysis of spatial clusters of accidents caused by animals (Kernel density estimation), and iii) the design and application of measures to reduce accidents at road hotspots. In 2007, an analysis was carried out of data from 3,057 accidents involving ungulates registered in the period 2000-2006. The data have now been updated and 6,123 animal-vehicle collisions registered from 2007 to 2011 have been analyzed. The effectiveness of measures applied at several hotspots that were identified 5 years ago has also been evaluated. Some of the most effective measures to reduce the conflict have been the construction of wildlife passages combined with perimeter fences along main roads. However, these measures are frequently not applicable to secondary roads with low traffic intensities, where signs to raise awareness, speed limits or verge management have been introduced. Nevertheless, there has not been such a great reduction in the number of accidents involving wildlife on secondary roads. A strategy for the management and reduction of the risk of animal-vehicle collisions must focus on stakeholders as well as on measures applied to roads. Traffic police who register accident data could help to improve the collection procedures that are the basis for correct identification and prioritization of the most conflictive points. Environmental administrations dealing with big game species and hunters must also be involved, as the management of deer and wild boar populations can also help to reduce the conflict. Transport and environment authorities take part in the design of local measures to be applied at the most conflictive points. Last but not least, drivers are key stakeholders because their awareness and behavior is a strategic factor in avoiding collisions. A new collaborative approach is the basis for improving practices to mitigate the conflict in the network of secondary roads. Sharing knowledge can help to identify the most innovative solutions. In addition, communication campaigns can contribute to achieving driver cooperation.
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