Testing an Integrated PDA-GPS System to Collect Standardized Animal Carcass Removal Data on Virginia Roadways

Testing an Integrated PDA-GPS System to Collect Standardized Animal Carcass Removal Data on Virginia Roadways PDF Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deer
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) have a growing impact in the United States in terms of safety, economic loss, and species conservation. According to estimates from insurance claims, Virginia has consistently ranked as one of the top seven states for deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) since 2002. Of the state's estimated 43,500 to 47,700 DVCs in 2006, less than 14% were reported to the police and stored in the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) accident database. Virginia has no standardized method of sufficiently tracking AVC occurrences and locations, creating difficulty in researching and implementing mitigation efforts to reduce accidents. Valuable AVC data can be obtained from documenting the instances and locations of animal carcasses from the roadway, but most transportation organizations do not systematically record these removals. This project entailed testing a personal data assistant (PDA) enabled with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for the collection and analyses of animal carcass removals (CRs) from the roadway. Using GPS-enabled PDAs and software developed by Western Transportation Institute, maintenance personnel from a VDOT area headquarters in Rockbridge County collected 8 months of spatially accurate CR data. Rockbridge County DVC estimates derived from the CR data collected for this study were more than 9 times greater than the number of AVCs reported in police records. These spatial data can be easily used for density analyses to determine "hotspots" of AVCs. Implementing mitigation at these areas can ultimately lead to fewer AVCs and associated reductions of human deaths, injuries, and financial losses; improved traffic operations; a reduction in maintenance costs related to carcass removal and disposal; and wildlife conservation. VDOT is currently undergoing changes to its method of documenting roadway maintenance activities, including the deployment of GPS-enabled PDAs to all area headquarters. These PDAs provide a mechanism for collecting spatially accurate and standardized CR data, but collecting and reporting CRs are currently not requirements. Given the PDA's ease of use and the benefits these data would provide, the study recommends that this procedure be integrated into regular practice by VDOT area headquarters. As VDOT is receiving added regulatory pressure to implement measures to reduce AVCs, improving CR data collection using the technology described in this report can help provide an objective method for deciding whether and where mitigation is needed.

Testing an Integrated PDA-GPS System to Collect Standardized Animal Carcass Removal Data on Virginia Roadways

Testing an Integrated PDA-GPS System to Collect Standardized Animal Carcass Removal Data on Virginia Roadways PDF Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deer
Languages : en
Pages : 34

Get Book Here

Book Description
Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) have a growing impact in the United States in terms of safety, economic loss, and species conservation. According to estimates from insurance claims, Virginia has consistently ranked as one of the top seven states for deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) since 2002. Of the state's estimated 43,500 to 47,700 DVCs in 2006, less than 14% were reported to the police and stored in the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) accident database. Virginia has no standardized method of sufficiently tracking AVC occurrences and locations, creating difficulty in researching and implementing mitigation efforts to reduce accidents. Valuable AVC data can be obtained from documenting the instances and locations of animal carcasses from the roadway, but most transportation organizations do not systematically record these removals. This project entailed testing a personal data assistant (PDA) enabled with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for the collection and analyses of animal carcass removals (CRs) from the roadway. Using GPS-enabled PDAs and software developed by Western Transportation Institute, maintenance personnel from a VDOT area headquarters in Rockbridge County collected 8 months of spatially accurate CR data. Rockbridge County DVC estimates derived from the CR data collected for this study were more than 9 times greater than the number of AVCs reported in police records. These spatial data can be easily used for density analyses to determine "hotspots" of AVCs. Implementing mitigation at these areas can ultimately lead to fewer AVCs and associated reductions of human deaths, injuries, and financial losses; improved traffic operations; a reduction in maintenance costs related to carcass removal and disposal; and wildlife conservation. VDOT is currently undergoing changes to its method of documenting roadway maintenance activities, including the deployment of GPS-enabled PDAs to all area headquarters. These PDAs provide a mechanism for collecting spatially accurate and standardized CR data, but collecting and reporting CRs are currently not requirements. Given the PDA's ease of use and the benefits these data would provide, the study recommends that this procedure be integrated into regular practice by VDOT area headquarters. As VDOT is receiving added regulatory pressure to implement measures to reduce AVCs, improving CR data collection using the technology described in this report can help provide an objective method for deciding whether and where mitigation is needed.

Safe Passages

Safe Passages PDF Author: Jon P. Beckmann
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1597269670
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 419

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Book Description
Safe Passages brings together in a single volume the latest information on the emerging science of road ecology as it relates to mitigating interactions between roads and wildlife. This practical handbook of tools and examples is designed to assist individuals and organizations thinking about or working toward reducing road-wildlife impacts. The book provides: an overview of the importance of habitat connectivity with regard to roads current planning approaches and technologies for mitigating the impacts of highways on both terrestrial and aquatic species different facets of public participation in highway-wildlife connectivity mitigation projects case studies from partnerships across North America that highlight successful on-the-ground implementation of ecological and engineering solutions recent innovative highway-wildlife mitigation developments Detailed case studies span a range of scales, from site-specific wildlife crossing structures, to statewide planning for habitat connectivity, to national legislation. Contributors explore the cooperative efforts that are emerging as a result of diverse organizations—including transportation agencies, land and wildlife management agencies, and nongovernmental organizations—finding common ground to tackle important road ecology issues and problems. Safe Passages is an important new resource for local-, state-, and national-level managers and policymakers working on road-wildlife issues, and will appeal to a broad audience including scientists, agency personnel, planners, land managers, transportation consultants, students, conservation organizations, policymakers, and citizens engaged in road-wildlife mitigation projects.

Deer-vehicle Crash Countermeasure Toolbox

Deer-vehicle Crash Countermeasure Toolbox PDF Author: Keith K. Knapp
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deer
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
This toolbox contains what is believed to be the most detailed summary and evaluation of DVC countermeasure information. Three levels of discussion are provided that focus on the current state-of-the knowledge countermeasure related to 16 potential DVC countermeasures and specific findings and conclusions for each countermeasure are discussed.

Reptile Biodiversity

Reptile Biodiversity PDF Author: Roy W. McDiarmid
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520266714
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 424

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Book Description
“Authoritative and comprehensive—provides an up-to-date description of the tool box of methods for inventorying and monitoring the diverse spectrum of reptiles. All biodiversity scientists will want to have it during project planning and as study progresses. A must for field biologists, conservation planners, and biodiversity managers.”—Jay M. Savage, San Diego State University “Kudos to the editors and contributors to this book. From the perspective of a non-ecologist such as myself, who only occasionally needs to intensively sample a particular site or habitat, the quality and clarity of this book has been well worth the wait.”—Jack W. Sites, Jr.

DSCA Handbook

DSCA Handbook PDF Author: United States. Department of Defense
Publisher: United States Department of Defense
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 584

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Book Description
This two-in one resource includes the Tactical Commanders and Staff Toolkit plus the Liaison Officer Toolkit. Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)) enables tactical level Commanders and their Staffs to properly plan and execute assigned DSCA missions for all hazard operations, excluding Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, high yield Explosives (CBRNE) or acts of terrorism. Applies to all United States military forces, including Department of Defense (DOD) components (Active and Reserve forces and National Guard when in Federal Status). This hand-on resource also may be useful information for local and state first responders. Chapter 1 contains background information relative to Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) including legal, doctinal, and policy issues. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the incident management processes including National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management Systems (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS) as well as Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chapter 3 discuses the civilian and military responses to natural disaster. Chapter 4 provides a brief overview of Joint Operation Planning Process and mission analyis. Chapter 5 covers Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) planning factors for response to all hazard events. Chapter 6 is review of safety and operational composite risk management processes Chapters 7-11 contain Concepts of Operation (CONOPS) and details five natrual hazards/disasters and the pertinent planning factors for each within the scope of DSCA.

To Life!

To Life! PDF Author: Linda Weintraub
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520273613
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
This title documents the burgeoning eco art movement from A to Z, presenting a panorama of artistic responses to environmental concerns, from Ant Farms anti-consumer antics in the 1970s to Marina Zurkows 2007 animation that anticipates the havoc wreaked upon the planet by global warming.

Human Factors of Visual and Cognitive Performance in Driving

Human Factors of Visual and Cognitive Performance in Driving PDF Author: Candida Castro
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 142005533X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
Human error is involved in more than 90 percent of traffic accidents, and of those accidents, most are associated with visual distractions, or looking-but-failing-to-see errors. Human Factors of Visual and Cognitive Performance in Driving gathers knowledge from a human factors psychology standpoint and provides deeper insight into traffic -user beh

The Fingerprint

The Fingerprint PDF Author: U. S. Department Justice
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781500674151
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The idea of The Fingerprint Sourcebook originated during a meeting in April 2002. Individuals representing the fingerprint, academic, and scientific communities met in Chicago, Illinois, for a day and a half to discuss the state of fingerprint identification with a view toward the challenges raised by Daubert issues. The meeting was a joint project between the International Association for Identification (IAI) and West Virginia University (WVU). One recommendation that came out of that meeting was a suggestion to create a sourcebook for friction ridge examiners, that is, a single source of researched information regarding the subject. This sourcebook would provide educational, training, and research information for the international scientific community.

Fatal Accident Reporting System

Fatal Accident Reporting System PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mortality
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description


Learning Science in Informal Environments

Learning Science in Informal Environments PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309141133
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
Informal science is a burgeoning field that operates across a broad range of venues and envisages learning outcomes for individuals, schools, families, and society. The evidence base that describes informal science, its promise, and effects is informed by a range of disciplines and perspectives, including field-based research, visitor studies, and psychological and anthropological studies of learning. Learning Science in Informal Environments draws together disparate literatures, synthesizes the state of knowledge, and articulates a common framework for the next generation of research on learning science in informal environments across a life span. Contributors include recognized experts in a range of disciplines-research and evaluation, exhibit designers, program developers, and educators. They also have experience in a range of settings-museums, after-school programs, science and technology centers, media enterprises, aquariums, zoos, state parks, and botanical gardens. Learning Science in Informal Environments is an invaluable guide for program and exhibit designers, evaluators, staff of science-rich informal learning institutions and community-based organizations, scientists interested in educational outreach, federal science agency education staff, and K-12 science educators.