This report reviews 39 mitigation measures that reduce animal vehicle collisions and that provide habitat connectivity for wildlife across highways. The overview is restricted to mitigation measures aimed at large terrestrial mammals (deer size and larger). However, this report also includes information regarding how such measures may affect or benefit federally endangered or threatened species in Montana, regardless of their size. In addition to the detailed information for each mitigation measure, a summary table is provided that provides at a glance information on the costs and benefits of the individual mitigation measures for which such data were available. Furthermore, the report graphically illustrates which measures have the best monetary balance (the difference between benefits and costs) and which measures reduce animal vehicle collisions and associated costs best. Based on the results, the authors of this report identified wildlife fencing, with or without wildlife underpasses or a combination of wildlife underpasses and overpasses, and animal detection systems with wildlife fencing, as the most cost effective mitigation measures. Animal detection systems without wildlife fences or wildlife fences with a high density of wildlife overpasses are also cost effective, but more data on system effectiveness are needed before these systems are recommended for implementation rather than further study. The final section of the report provides suggestions on the implementation or study for each of the 39 mitigation measures.

The US Highway 93 North reconstruction project on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana represents one of the most extensive wildlife sensitive highway design efforts to date in North America. The reconstruction of the 56 mile (90 km) long road section included the installation of wildlife crossing structures at 39 locations and approximately 8.71 miles (14.01 km) of road with wildlife exclusion fences on both sides. The mitigation measures were aimed at improving safety for the traveling public through reducing wildlife vehicle collisions and allowing wildlife to continue to move across the road. This report summarizes research conducted between 2002 and 2015. The research focused on the effectiveness of the mitigation measures in reducing collisions with large mammals, and the use of the crossing structures (specifically by white tailed deer, mule deer, and black bear). In addition, the effectiveness of wildlife guards (similar to cattle guards), wildlife jump outs and a human access point was evaluated. Finally, the researchers conducted cost benefit analyses and formulated recommendations.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions do not occur randomly along roads but are spatially clustered, because wildlife movements tend to be associated with specific habitats, terrain, and adjacent land use types. Thus, landscape spatial patterns would be expected to play an important role in determining locations where the probability of being involved in an animal-vehicle collision is higher compared to other locations. Explanatory factors of wildlife road-kill locations and rates vary widely between species and taxa, yet, to properly mitigate road impacts to wildlife and increase motorist safety, transportation departments need to be able to identify where particular individuals, species taxa, and vertebrate communities are susceptible to high road-kill rates along roads. Quality field data documenting locations and frequencies of wildlife-vehicle collisions can offer empirical insights to help address this challenging safety and ecological issue.

Animal-vehicle collisions are a growing concern in terms of human safety; costs related to injury, property damage, and disposal; and the viability of wildlife populations. These collisions are rapidly increasing throughout the United States, and Virginia is consistently ranked among the states with the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions, in particular. Federal and state agencies have consequently placed added pressure on transportation departments to implement measures to reduce these incidents. It is often unclear to transportation practitioners, however, which mitigation measures are effective and where, how, and under what circumstances to use a measure for a particular road project. Although determining a definitive solution for any particular situation is difficult, the toolkit developed in this study is intended as a "quick" guide to provide information on the latest research available on the effectiveness of various mitigation measures to reduce animal-vehicle collisions. More extensive information on one particularly effective technique, wildlife crossings, is provided to assist in implementation and design decisions.

Winner of the IENE Project Award 2016. This authoritative volume brings together some of the world’s leading researchers, academics, practitioners and transportation agency personnel to present the current status of the ecological sustainability of the linear infrastructure – primarily road, rail and utility easements – that dissect and fragment landscapes globally. It outlines the potential impacts, demonstrates how this infrastructure is being improved, and how broad ecological principles are applied to mitigate the impact of road networks on wildlife. Research and monitoring is an important aspect of road ecology, encompassing all phases of a transportation project. This book covers research and monitoring to span the entire project continuum – starting with planning and design, through construction and into maintenance and management. It focuses on impacts and solutions for species groups and specific regions, with particular emphasis on the unique challenges facing Asia, South America and Africa. Other key features: Contributions from authors originating from over 25 countries, including from all continents Each chapter summarizes important lessons, and includes lists of further reading and thoroughly up to date references Highlights principles that address key points relevant to all phases in all road projects Explains best-practices based on a number of successful international case studies Chapters are "stand-alone", but they also build upon and complement each other; extensive cross-referencing directs the reader to relevant material elsewhere in the book Handbook of Road Ecology offers a comprehensive summary of approximately 30 years of global efforts to quantify the impacts of roads and traffic and implement effective mitigation. As such, it is essential reading for those involved in the planning, design, assessment and construction of new roads; the management and maintenance of existing roads; and the modifying or retrofitting of existing roads and problem locations. This handbook is an accessible resource for both developed and developing countries, including government transportation agencies, Government environmental/conservation agencies, NGOs, and road funding and donor organisations.