Animal Detection System Project - UTC

The objective of this project is to investigate the reliability of a microwave radio signal break-the-beam animal detection system at the TRANSCEND facility in Lewistown, Montana.

WTI is currently evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of a specific animal detection system for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The system is a third generation microwave radio signal break-the-beam system from ICx Radar Systems (formerly STS), which Caltrans plans to install near Ft. Jones, California. Through the original project (begun in 2005), WTI will be conducting field tests along a real roadside in northern California. This project will allow WTI to conduct additional reliability testing of the system at the testbed for animal detection systems at the TRANSCEND facility in Lewistown, Montana, which was not yet available when the Caltrans project was initiated. Reliability tests will be conducted during different seasons over the course of one year, to test for the impact of environmental factors. The tests will also use domesticated animals of various species in an enclosed pen, which will allow researchers to evaluate a large number of animal movements, and the impact of animals of different sizes.