Elk movements associated with a high-traffic highway : Interstate 17.

PDFTech ReportFHWA-AZ-13-647SPR-PL-1(173) 647Interstate highwaysTraffic volumeWildlifeWildlife crossingsCollisionsFencesGlobal Positioning SystemAnimal migrationsArizonaArizona. Dept. of TransportationGagnon, Jeffrey W.Dodd, Norris L.Sprague, Scott C.Nelson, RobLoberger, ChadBoe, SusanSchweinsburg, Raymond E.Arizona. Game and Fish Dept. Research BranchUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-AccidentsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTUS Transportation CollectionThe authors evaluated wildlife-highway relationships from 2007 to 2010 along a 46-mi stretch of Interstate17 (I-17) in north-central Arizona (MP 294\ue2\u2c6\u2019340). This highway had an average annual daily traffic (AADT)volume of 16,100 vehicles/day during the study. The specific objectives of this research project were to:\uef\u201a\ub7 Assess elk movements, highway crossing patterns, and distribution, and determine permeability.\uef\u201a\ub7 Investigate spatial and temporal relationships of elk crossings and distribution to traffic volume.\uef\u201a\ub7 Investigate spatial and temporal wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) patterns and traffic relationships.\uef\u201a\ub7 Investigate elk crossings and WVC in relation to riparian-meadow habitats.\uef\u201a\ub7 Develop recommendations to reduce WVC and promote highway permeability.The research team instrumented 71 elk (Cervus elaphus) with GPS receiver collars along I-17. Elk crossedthe highway 912 times and had a mean passage rate of 0.09 crossings/approach. Compared to other Arizonahighways with lower AADT, I-17 was a significant barrier to elk passage. Passage rates were significantlyhigher along stretches with wide medians and near the Munds Canyon Bridge. In total, 395 WVC wereanalyzed, and an average of 79.0 elk-vehicle collisions occurred each year. Traffic volume influenced elkdistribution, permeability, and WVC patterns. Proximity to riparian-meadow habitats also influenced elkcrossing, approach, and WVC locations. The team recommended 17 wildlife passage structures andungulate-proof fencing along the length of I-17 to reduce WVC and promote permeability, largely validatingthe recommendations in the draft environmental assessment (DEA)