Wildlife Detection System

Each year, thousands of collisions with wildlife are reported on highways in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Animal Vehicle Collisions (AVCs) often result in serious personal injuries, endanger wildlife species, and cost millions of dollars annually. BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) identified two corridors with the highest densities of AVCs in BC. To protect the surrounding wildlife and improve driver safety, MoTI sought to reduce AVCs through the application of a technology solution.
Potential mitigation options were examined, ranging from civil infrastructure improvements to fencing. The most appropriate solution was determined to be an effective technology to detect the presence of wildlife and employ dynamic message signing to advise motorists to slow down.
The solution consists of Intelligent Transportation System components integrated with high-performance security technologies. Detectors monitor the 3-dimensional area of the roadway and the immediately adjacent shoulders to detect the presence of animals on or near the roadway. Thermal and color cameras record the presence of the animals and the overall operation of the system to assist with calibration and verification. The radar detectors are augmented with specialized video analytics in key areas to mitigate detection challenges posed by terrain or other features. A field-located central control system analyzes the detection data from all sensors. When an animal is detected, the control system activates warning signs advising motorists of the presence of animals on or near the roadway.
Extensive testing and data validation was undertaken to verify the correct performance and accuracy of the system. Due to the remote nature of the sites, particular attention was paid to the reliability and resiliency of the system. Each corridor operates autonomously, with system notifications and performance monitored remotely by MoTI.
Factors such as weather, terrain, the unpredictable nature of wildlife, and the remoteness of these locations combine to make deploying an effective system very challenging. This problem is not limited to BC. PBX conducted significant research on approaches taken by other jurisdictions in North America. Numerous possible technical solutions were identified and analyzed. The engineered solution is a highly effective driver notification system from the transportation field, combined with sophisticated detection and analysis technologies from the security field.
Extensive field testing confirmed high degree of accuracy of the system, providing drivers with confidence that when the signs are activated, wildlife is nearby. The system has a demonstrated impact on driver behavior resulting in a reduction of AVCs by 79% and 23% along the two corridors.
In overcoming the challenges inherent to developing and deploying this solution, the WDS holds potential for AVC-prone highways across North America. The project was recognized by a number of awards.