Common Trends in Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions 89 percent of - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Wildlife-vehicle Collision Mitigation in New Mexico Jim Hirsch Environmental Bureau - NMDOT

Common Trends in Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions • 89 percent of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) occur on two-lane low-volume roads. • WVCs occur more frequently in the early morning (5–9 a.m.) and evening (4 p.m.–12 a.m.). • WVCs occur more frequently in spring and fall. • Most reported WVCs involve deer (as high as 90 percent in some states).

Costs Associated with Wildlife-vehicle Collisions (WVC) • > 95% of WVC result in property damage only. • The estimated annual cost associated with WVCs is $8.3 billion. • $1,840 in vehicle repair costs. • $2,702 in medical costs. • $125 in towing and law enforcement services. • Costs increase substantially if a vehicle collides with a larger animal (such as an elk or moose).

U.S. 550 Deer Fencing Project Animas River to Colorado BEFORE AFTER Photos by Mark Watson

House Joint Memorial 3 (2003)

Critical Mass Results CRITICAL RISK AREAS · Tijeras Canyon/ I-40, Bernalillo Co. (District 3). · San Augustine Pass/ U.S. 70, Dona Ana Co., (District 1). · Raton Pass/ I-25, Colfax Co., (District 4) · Burro Mtns./Tyrone/ NM 90, Grant Co., (District 1). HIGH RISK AREAS · U.S. 84/ Tierra Amarilla to Colorado Border, Rio Arriba Co., (District 5). · I-25/Las Vegas to Glorieta, San Miguel and Santa Fe Counties, (Districts 4-5). · Abo Pass/ U.S. 60 (includes railroad), Torrance and Valencia Counties, (District 5). · NM 126/ Forest Road 12 (Jemez Mnts.), Sandoval Co., (District 6). · U.S. 54 from Ancho to Duran, Lincoln Co., (Districts 2, 5). · Cloudcroft to Mayhill, U.S. 82 and NM 130, Otero Co., (District 2). · Ruidoso area: U.S. 70 Hondo Valley from Ruidoso Downs to Riverside; NM 48 from Alto to Capitan; NM 37 from Angus to Nogal, Lincoln Co., (District 2). · Taos Canyon/ U.S. 64 (esp. Palo Flechado Pass/La Jara Canyon area), Taos Co., (District 5). · La Bajada/ I-25, Sandoval and Santa Fe Counties, (District 5). · I-10 through Steins Pass/Peloncillos Mtns., Hidalgo Co., (District 1). · U.S. 550 Animas River to Colorado Border, San Juan Co., (District 5). · U.S. 64 Farmington to Shiprock, San Juan Co., (District 5).

Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Project (2008) 3 drainage crossings and 2 at-grade crossings.

I-40 Game Fence Projects at Zuzax and Edgewood (2010)

Other Past Collision Mitigation Projects • House Joint Memorial 10 (2011) – NMDOT, NMDGF & NM State Police – US 64/84 between Tierra Amarilla and Chama – Vegetation control and illuminated warning signs • US 64 Game Fence Project near Lumberton (2012) – Done in conjunction with roadway reconstruction • US 54 Game Fence Project at Corona – Stand alone project with no passage (1 ¾ miles)

House Memorial 1, Senate Memorial 11 (2013) • Directed NMDOT and NMDGF to host a workshop to identify priority road segments for future wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation measures • At least one Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) application must be submitted in 2014

House Memorial 1, Senate Memorial 11 (2013) • 49 participants • State Police surveyed • 32 priority segments across NM identified for further investigations • Trend data was considered • Field visits conducted in each district • Two HSIP applications were submitted in 2014

NMDOT District 5 2013 Priority Areas

Future Wildlife Collision Mitigation Projects

I-25 Raton

US 550 Cuba

From P. Cramer 2012