What is the Toolbox?

In July 2001 the Deer-Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse (DVCIC) was created by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. During the last two years an extensive review of deer-vehicle crash (DVC) countermeasure documentation has been completed. This toolbox contains what is believed to be the most detailed summary and evaluation of DVC countermeasure information. Three levels of discussion are provided that focus on the current state-of-the knowledge related to 16 potential DVC countermeasures. Specific findings and conclusions for each countermeasure are discussed in Chapter 2 and summarized in the Executive Summary. Each of the summaries in Chapter 2 can be acquired from the DVCIC webpage. More broad-based conclusions and recommendations are provided in Chapter 3. It was generally concluded that it is difficult to define the magnitude of the DVC problem in the United States, and that the collection of roadside deer carcass locations may provide a more accurate measure of the problem. The 16 countermeasures are grouped into five categories based on their apparent use and how much they had been studied. It was not considered appropriate, given the current limited state-of-the-knowledge and lack of definitive studies, to group the countermeasures by their apparent DVC reduction capabilities. The majority of the potential countermeasures are used in the field, but the safety impacts of few have been evaluated rigorously. Only studies of properly installed/maintained exclusionary fencing and wildlife crossing installations have consistently shown DVC reductions. The DVC reduction capabilities of the other 14 countermeasures appear to still be in question. Different types of evaluations are recommended for each of the five categories defined. It is also recommended that a national or regional DVC database be created and that the value of a similar database of roadside carcass locations be evaluated. It is proposed that all DVC countermeasure installations and evaluations be completed by a team of transportation safety and ecology professionals. A national or regional DVC or large ungulate-vehicle crash safety research center should also be created to fund/promote appropriately designed research in the DVC area.

Countermeasure Toolbox Downloads (PDF and Word .DOC files)

COMPLETE REPORT - PDF , .DOC (Executive Summary, Chapters 1, 2, 3)

Executive Summary - PDF , .DOC
Chapter 1 - Introduction - PDF , .DOC
Chapter 2 - Countermeasure Summaries- PDF , .DOC (individual countermeasure summaries can be downloaded below)

In-Vehicle Technologies - PDF , .DOC
Deer Whistles - PDF , .DOC
Roadway Lighting - PDF , .DOC
Speed Limit Reduction - PDF , .DOC
Deicing Salt Alternatives - PDF , .DOC
Deer-Flagging Models - PDF , .DOC
Intercept Feeding - PDF , .DOC
Deer Crossing Signs and Technologies - PDF , .DOC
Roadside Reflectors and Mirrors - PDF , .DOC
Repellents - PDF , .DOC
Hunting or Herd Reduction - PDF , .DOC
Public Information and Education - PDF , .DOC
Roadside Vegetation Management - PDF , .DOC
Exclusionary Fencing - PDF , .DOC
Roadway Maintenance, Design, and Planning Policies - PDF , .DOC
Wildlife Crossings - PDF , .DOC

Chapter 3 - PDF , .DOC