As described in the final report, Phase 2 of the project developed three recommendations for preliminary national standards for WVC data collection systems – 1) A standardized national species list, 2) a spatial accuracy requirement for observation locations, and 3) a means for expert review of the species identified in each observation via a geo-synched photo. In phase 2, the research team also made recommendations to modify the ROaDS survey so it is shorter, easier to use and more efficient. In addition, the team also determined that the ROaDS survey can simultaneously capture the observer’s survey route and link each individual observation to the route taken. Thus, for research or monitoring projects, ROaDS can provide a function that captures the observer’s route, how long it took to complete the route and each individual observation made while on that route. Lastly, during Phase 2, the project began to engage other agencies and organizations to jointly develop national standards for WVC data collection systems via meetings, presentations and workshops at national conferences that will be continued in Phase 3.
The National Park Service (NPS) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have partnered with the Western Transportation Institute – Montana State University (WTI) to develop a federal lands wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) data collection system. This system is being designed to efficiently and effectively collect information on large animal – vehicle crashes, to address motorist safety concerns on federal land management agency (FLMA) roads, as well as carcass data of medium- and smaller-sized fauna relevant to FLMAs’ conservation missions. This project offers user-friendly tools to collect and manage data key for analyses identifying specific areas where measures may be used to reduce WVCs on roads in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.
Phase 1 of the project entailed developing “ROaDS” (Roadkill Observation and Data System) as a mobile device application (an “app” for smart phones and tablets) for collecting WVC data in the field. In this Phase 2 project, the research team will continue development of the application, by developing data standards and refining the data collection fields that will be incorporated into the next version of the app. The final system will help agencies identify and monitor locations where wildlife vehicle collisions occur, and facilitate the planning and implementation of transportation, conservation, and safety efforts on federal lands.
The objective of this project is to continue development of a wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) data collection system for federal land management agencies.
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