Assessing methods of mitigating wildlife–vehicle collisions by accident characterization and spatial analysis

This paper addresses the identification of areas where wildlife–vehicle collisions mitigation measures can be adopted by the study of collision records for specific road sections on the regional road network in the province of Lugo, Galicia, Northwest Spain in 2006–2007. Accident concentration sections, or areas where wildlife–vehicle collisions are common are identified, and the relationships between species and factors associated with accident levels such as the time of year or day, road characteristics, and the intensity of traffic levels are explored.

Research highlights
► Wildlife–vehicles collisions vary according to the type of animal involved – roe deer, or wild boar.
► Collisions differ according to season and time of day because of the varying habits of the local fauna.
► Collision variability suggest that remedial measures need to be adapted to time and traffic context.
► Collision variability also suggest that measures should be tailored to the wildlife affected.