Federal Lands Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Data Coordination Project – Phase 3
WTI Welcomes New Researchers
![headshot of Danae Giannetti in 2019](https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190923-NRH-3670-DanaeGiannetti-QE2-683x1024.jpg)
This summer, WTI welcomed two new researchers who will provide multi-disciplinary expertise and support across several program areas. Matthew Bell is a new Research Associate, but his connection to WTI dates back to 2012 when he worked on a Road Ecology project with one of Marcel Huijser’s grad students in Missoula, Montana. In 2017, while […]
Wolverine Research Featured on MSU Website
![Black and white image of a wolverine walking through snowy forest](https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Wolverine-pic_cropped2.jpg)
Montana State University News Service published a feature story last week on Tony Clevenger’s wolverine research and also highlighted the story on the MSU website homepage. “MSU research shows impact of major transportation corridor on wolverine movement” summarizes the findings from a multi-year study by Clevenger and his colleagues in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National […]
NEW REPORT: Hot Spot Analysis of Large Mammal-Vehicle Collisions in California
The final report is now available for a wildlife vehicle collision study conducted for the California Department of Transportation. Road Ecology Research Ecologist Marcel Huijser and Research Associate James Begley authored the final report for “Large Mammal-Vehicle Collision Hot Spot Analysis,” which provides guidance on the implementation of mitigation measures aimed at reducing collisions with […]
MSU News Highlights Fish Passage Research on Yellowstone River
![Haley Tupen and Katey Plymesser with monitoring equipment next to Yellowstone River](https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/asg-20190726-yellowstone-river-natural-fish-ladder-265_smaller-1024x682.jpg)
Graduate students at Montana State University had a great opportunity to participate in aquatics field research this summer, which was captured in feature article by the Montana State University (MSU) News Service. “MSU engineers, ecologists seek to improve fish passage on Yellowstone River” profiles grad students Haley Tupin and Ian Anderson, who gathered data at […]
USFWS Sponsors New Phase of Fish Passage Research
WTI, the MSU College of Engineering, and the Bozeman Fish Technology Center (BFTC) will continue their partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study fish passage and the barriers that limit fish movements. Under a 5-year cooperative agreement, USFWS will sponsor a new phase of fish passage research projects, using the open channel […]
NEW PROJECT: Assessing the Costs and Benefits of an Animal Detection System
WTI Road Ecologist Marcel Huijser will lead a cost-benefit analysis of an animal detection system (ADS) for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). MDT is considering a possible installation of an ADS along U.S. Highway 89, near Livingston, Montana. The analysis will investigate factors such as the number of wildlife vehicle collisions (WVCs) on the […]
Research Update – Are Wyoming Deer and Antelope Using Existing Underpasses to Cross Highways?
WTI is conducting a research on behalf of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) to explore mitigation options for reducing wildlife vehicle collisions along Interstate 25 in central Wyoming. WYDOT and WGFD would like to explore the possibility of funneling large mammals, particularly mule deer and pronghorn, […]
Fish Passage Research (Phase 2)
New Publication: How do wildlife fencing and crossing structures affect small mammals?
While wildlife fencing and crossing structures have been shown to reduce the effect of roads on medium and large animals, less is known about how these structures affect the movements of small mammals. The Canadian Journal of Zoology has published “Factors affecting the permeability of road mitigation measures to the movement of small mammals,” an […]