Optimal Highway Fencing to Mitigate Deer-Vehicle Collisions

1. Development & Evaluation of Devices for Minimizing Deer-vehicle Collisions (Phase II) • High Value Research Workshop • David M. Jared, P.E. • Senior Research Engineer, Georgia DOT

2. Phase I Recap (2004-2007) • Confirmation of deer vision and hearing • Evaluation of highway warning reflectors and whistles • General recommendations on optimal strategies

3. Phase II, Task 1: Comparison of Fencing Designs For Excluding Deer From Roadways • Woven-wire fencing: 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-ft. • Opaque fencing: 4-, 5-, 6-ft. • Outrigger fence • Tactile barrier

4. Phase II, Task 2: Effects of Roadside Fencing on Deer Movements and Home Ranges • Efficacy of 8 ft. and outrigger fences on free-ranging deer • Effect of roadside fences on home ranges

5. Fence Location: Berry College, Rome, GA

6. Fence Construction Fence treatment (2 mi.) • 1 mi. 8-ft woven-wire • 1 mi. outrigger

7. Construction Costs • Materials • 8-ft woven-wire: $9,461.11/mi • Outrigger fence: $10,868/mi • Labor • 8-ft woven-wire: 552 man-hrs/mi • Outrigger fence: 100 man-hrs/mi • Total Costs/Mile • 8-ft woven-wire: $15,063/mi • Outrigger fence: $11,866/mi • The Bottom Line: Outrigger design 21% cheaper

8. Findings (I) • 8-ft & outrigger fences had similar efficacies: 98%/90% reduced crossings • Multiple observations suggest outrigger an effective deterrent • Circumvention followed by pacing • 2-ft wide deer path along outrigger toward side • Use of gap from flood event • No statistical difference in outrigger efficacy in toward vs. away direction

9. Findings (II) • Circumvention lowered need for crossing • Less substantial fences more effective when motivation to cross low • Deer behavior more important than barrier efficacy • Need to study fence ends at natural barriers or safe crossings • Phase III study planned for FY 2012

10. Thank You!