Date: 7/28/2021

To: North Carolina Wildlife Federation

From: Max Carey

Subject: Wildlife Highway Management

This memo is intended to have the federation board discuss offer a solution to the large amounts of
wildlife injured or killed on American highways. Earlier this week, an emailAn email sent earlier this
week discussed a possible resolution specifically for wildlife in North Carolina that could utilize natural
bridges to assist wildlife in crossing freeways while also reducing the amount of animal-related traffic
accidents that occur daily. The response from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation showed interest in
the proposed solution, so I intend to give more information on the plan based on my prior research on this
topic.

Affordability
One topic that had been brought up was the question of affordability, how much a structure like this
would cost. Huijser et al. (2009) summarize the cost of such a structure to be anywhere from ~$20,000 a
year to ~$5,000,000, depending on the severity of actions taken in construction. While this seems steep at
first, the number of animals, namely deer, being removed from potential danger mitigates this cost
significantly. The average amount of deer/US dollar cost per collision totals out to ~$6,500. At the most
expensive option of $4,981,333 per year to build and maintain a structure this size, the costs (per amount
of accidents avoided) brings the total down to the thousands. Using the average amount for vehicle repair,
human injury, and carcass removal, the mitigated costs come out to $4,981,277 in damages prevented.
While there aren’t as many in every part of North Carolina, this amount doesn’t account for elk and
moose accidents, which average around ~$17,000 and ~$30,000 respectively each year. A study from the
Virginia Department of Transportation calculates that these structures eventually do become cost-
effective in preventingthe prevention of property damage, leading this solution to be manageable in terms
of monetary value.

Alternatives
Depending on the location, a bridge or overpass may not be feasible depending on the surrounding
landscape. A wildlife underpass may be an easier solution with this in mind, which works similarly. The
road above is left intact while the land underneath is hollowed out to create a walkway. For busy
interstates, this could mitigate traffic around the construction site while keeping the same goals intact.
While there are other options in preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions, Huijser et al. have done a similar
study on the accident reduction rate, with similar prevention methods being not nearly as effective.
Warning signs, fences, and habitat relocation have resulted in a 26-50% reduction in wildlife deaths.
Underpasses and overpasses, however, have shown an 87% reduction in collisions and deaths. While
alternative options exist, bridges and pathways through major roadways seem to be the most effective
treatment to alleviate these types of accidents.

Summary
I’ve messaged the board specifically to try and reiterate a plan of action. The main benefit of this project
is its affordability. These overpasses should provide a reasonable solution to wildlife-vehicle collisions
that occur on North Carolonian highways. Through my research, this has been the most feasible option,
though alternative options are available (depending on company resource and fund management). I’d
appreicate this memo being shared with the rest of the board, if possible, to try and build ideas off of my
own.

Recommendations
● Discuss this option and the alternatives with the board
● Discuss funding and the resources the federation has to provide this project
● Compare this option to others constructed in other states/regions.

Urgency and Closing

While this issue isn’t the most pressing of the times, I feel as if roadkill and wildlife-vehicle accidents are
preventable and can easily be tuned as technologies advance. If further studies are needed to prove its
effectiveness, I’d suggest wildlife cameras set up on either end of the overpass or underpass to show its
use where it’s constructed.
If possible, I’d like to speak to a federation member in person. Please let me know what date and time
work best for you, if at all, and please let me know if you have any questions regarding this topic. I
eagerly await your response and thank you for your time and consideration of my proposal.

Links for Further Information

● http://www.highwaywilding.org/d_costs.php
● https://www.conteches.com/knowledge-center/pdh-articles/design-considerations-for-wildlife-
crossings