Road safety effects of wildlife- vehicle collision mitigation measures

Wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation measures include measures that aim at changing the behavior of either motorists or animals, vehicle safety measures, and measures related to forestry and wildlife administration. Fencing with safe and attractive wildlife crossings was found to be effective, while no effects were found for warning signs, except possibly variable signs. The latter can be effective if motorists experience a relationship between activated signs and animals at the roadside. Reduced speed limits and road lighting may reduce wildlife collisions, but results from empirical studies are inconsistent. Measures that aim at changing the animals` behavior (such as mirrors and reflectors) have for the most part no (long term) effects. Improved vehicle crashworthiness can reduce the severity of vehicle-wildlife collisions. Crash mitigation effects of active vehicle safety measures have not been empirically documented. Removing vegetation from roadsides may reduce wildlife collisions, but the results from empirical studies are inconsistent. Hunting and feeding can keep moose away from roads, especially in winter and thereby reduce the number of collisions.