SD2019-02_WVC_Research_Final_Report (002).pdf

SD2019-02-F

Guidelines for Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Study SD2019-02

DRAFT Final Report

Prepared by Kit Bramblee, Environmental Scientist, SDDOT

South Dakota Department of Transportation Office of Research

Connecting South Dakota and the Nation

In South Dakota SD2019-02 ii July 7, 2021

DISCLAIMER

The contents of this report, funded in part through grant(s) from the Federal Highway Administration, reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the State Transportation Commission, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation provides services without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age or disability, according to the provisions contained in SDCL 20F13, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 1994. Any person who has questions concerning this policy or who believes he or she has been discriminated against should contact the Department’s Civil Rights Office at 605.773.3540.

In South Dakota SD2019-02 iii July 7, 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was performed under the direction of the SD2019-02 Technical Panel:

Christina Bennett ............... SDDOT Operations Patrick Brueggeman .............. SDDOT Research Keith Fisk .......................... Game, Fish & Parks Trenton Haffley ................. Game, Fish & Parks Joanne Hight ................ SDDOT Environmental Tom Horan ............... SDDOT Rapid City Region

Dave Huft .............................. SDDOT Research Chris Kwilinski ....................................... FHWA Bruce Hunt ............................................ FHWA Brad Norrid ..................... SDDOT Winner Area Andy Vandel ...... SDDOT Project Development Kimberly Zerr .... SDDOT Trans. Inventory Mgt.

In South Dakota SD2019-02 iv July 7, 2021

TECHNICAL REPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE

1. Report No.

SD2019-02

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Guidelines for Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation

5. Report Date

July 7, 2021

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Kit Bramblee

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

South Dakota Department of Transportation 700 East Broadway Avenue Pierre, SD 57501

10. Work Unit No.

11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

South Dakota Department of Transportation Office of Research 700 East Broadway Avenue Pierre, SD 57501

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract

Vehicle collisions with wildlife are a national problem that affects motorists in every U.S.

state, and challenges state DOTs seeking to minimize these crashes. New data shows U.S.

drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal. The company estimates there were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S.

between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 (State Farm 2019). Wildlife vehicle collisions represent a substantial safety and economic concern for the traveling public in South Dakota. During the five-year span of 2014-2018 there were 22,955 reported wildlife vehicle collisions on South Dakota roadways (SD-DPS, 2019). Estimates show that tens of thousands of large ungulates are killed on South Dakota roadways each year. Large ungulates are a valuable resource to the state. Annually, an estimated $683 million dollars attributed to hunting are directly spent in South Dakota (Southwick Associates, 2017). The value of individual animals is difficult to assess and can vary greatly depending on factors used in the determination. This proposed research is a stepping-stone on the road to South Dakota becoming more proactive in identifying problem areas where wildlife moves across roads and creating the necessary mitigation to ensure the safety of the traveling public and preserve wildlife populations.

17. Keywords wildlife, WVC, wildlife-vehicle collisions, AVC, animal-vehicle collisions, wildlife crossing, mitigation

18. Distribution Statement

No restrictions. This document is available to the public from the sponsoring agency.

19. Security Classification (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classification (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No. of Pages

22. Price

In South Dakota SD2019-02 v July 7, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DISCLAIMER ......................................................................................................................................ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................................... iii

TECHNICAL REPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE ...................................................................................... iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... v

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... ix

TABLE OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................ x

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

Financial Costs to South Dakota Citizens of Reported WVC Crashes

Estimated Costs to Society of Wildlife Killed in Collisions

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Develop a methodology to evaluate mitigation needs and options in planned construction projects

Apply the methodology to one or more locations

Develop guidance premised on best practices for reducing WVC in South Dakota

RESEARCH TASK DESCRIPTIONS

Task 1. Kick Off Meeting

Task 2. Through a review of the literature and consultation with experts, describe prevailing and best practices across the nation for mitigation of WVCs and application of models of wildlife habitat and ecosystems and WVC occurrence and distribution

Task 3. Describe SDDOT’s current methodology for identifying animal collision mitigation needs, selecting mitigation treatments, and evaluating effectiveness

Task 4. Based on the findings of Task 2, design a more comprehensive methodology for identifying animal collision mitigation needs, selecting mitigation treatments, and evaluating effectiveness, including benefit-cost analysis of mitigation strategies

Task 5. Interim Report and Second Meeting Between Researcher and Technical Panel

Task 6. To the extent possible within the study duration, apply the improved methodology on projects IM-FP 0901(195)36 Meade PCN 021G, Rapid City Area Wildlife Fencing project PCN 06Y4, and US16 from Rapid City to the Keystone Wye PCN 073F

Task 7. Develop guidance and outreach materials documenting the methodology and illustrating its application in the case study projects

Task 8. Meet with Technical Panel to Review and Approve Materials

Task 9. Final Report

Task 10. Executive Presentation

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FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

An Extensive Literature Review

Electronic Literature Review

Resource Agency Contacts

Outreach Questionnaire

South Dakota Department of Transportation Guidance Documents

WVC Mitigation Guidance Development

WVC Guidance Incorporation into Established SDDOT Project

WVC SDDOT Guidance Review Requests

Inclusion of WVC Guidance into SDDOT Standards

Wildlife Mitigation Standard Plates

Standard Plates Outreach

Standard Plate Design

Transportation Project Trials

IM 0902(175) Lawrence PCN 06Y4, Rapid City Area, Wildlife Fence……………………………………………………24

IM-FP 0901(195)36 Meade PCN 021G, I90 EBL - Fm W of Exit 37 (Pleasant Valley) to Exit 40 (Tilford)

Grading, Interchange Reconstruction (Exit 37), PCC Surfacing, Replace Str Bridge, Tilford Port of Entry…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..26

PL 0100(79) Pennington PCN 073F, US16 Corridor Study, Rapid City to Keystone Wye

Monitoring

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1: Incorporate Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation into the SDDOT Environmental Procedures Manual

Recommendation 2: SDDOT Includes, at Minimum, Annual Discussions or Coordination with Cooperative Federal, State, and Local Agencies and Interest Groups Focused on Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation

Recommendation 3: SDDOT Continues to Develop and Updated Existing Standard Plates for Construction of Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Measures

Recommendation 4: SDDOT Creates an Electronic Carcass Data Entry Method for All Employees, Law Enforcement, and Designated Supporting Agencies

Recommendation 5: SDDOT Creates a Pre- and Post-Construction Monitoring Plan for Each Transportation Project Implementing Wildlife Vehicle Collision Mitigation Measures

Recommendation 6: SDDOT Integrates WVC Priority Areas into Environmental Review

Recommendations Summary

RESEARCH BENEFITS

REFERENCES

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APPENDICES

A. Literature Review

B. WVC Mitigation Agency Contacts 2020

C. WVC Survey

D. SDDOT Wildlife and Roads Decision Guides

D.1 SDDOT Wildlife and Roads Decision Guide Project Development

D.2 SDDOT Wildlife and Roads Decision Guide Environmental

D.3 SDDOT Wildlife and Roads Decision Guide Design

E. SDPS Accident Records 2020

F. Agency Coordination Letters

F.1 SDGFP Coordination Letter Draft

F.2 USFWS Coordination Letter Draft

H. SDDOT Wildlife Fencing Standard Plates

I. WVC Survey Results

J. Study Advisory Team Meeting HDR Presentation

K. SDDOT & SDGFP Wildlife Scoping Meeting Minutes

L. Project IM 0902(175), Lawrence County, PCN 06Y4 Interstate 90 E & W, Wildlife Fence Plans

M. Project IM 0902(175), Lawrence County, PCN 06Y4 Interstate 90 E & W, Wildlife Fence Stakeholder Letter

N. Wildlife Camera Trap Data

N.1 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Ft. Meade

N.2 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Spearfish Golf Course

N.3 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Pleasant Valley

N.4 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Spearfish Creek East

N.5 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Spearfish Creek West

N.6 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Spearfish Fence End

N.7 Wildlife Camera Trap Data Tilford Railroad

M. Wildlife Camera Trap Photo Examples

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Number of WVC Crashes of Different Severity Types Reported to SDDPS 2014 through 2018 Table 2. Average Annual Estimated Costs to Society of WVC Reported to South Dakota Department of Public Safety

2014 through 2018

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. State Farm 2019-2020 Animal Collision Likelihood by State

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TABLE OF ACRONYMS

Acronym Definition AVC Animal Vehicle Collisions

DOT Department of Transportation

FHWA Federal Highway Administration

HWY Highway

MRM Mile Reference Marker

NDOT Nevada DOT, and Nebraska DOT

PAS Passage Assessment System

PI Primary Investigator

PDO Property Damage Only Crashes

QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control

SAT Study Advisory Team

SDARS South Dakota Accident Reporting System

SDDOT South Dakota Department of Transportation

SDGFP South Dakota Game Fish and Parks

SDDPS South Dakota Department of Public Safety

STIP Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

USDOT United State Department of Transportation UDOT Utah Department of Transportation

WYDOT Wyoming DOT

WVC Wildlife-vehicle Collision

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) recognizes that wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) are a safety problem for motorists and an ecological problem for wildlife populations across the state. This research project was initiated to help identify solutions for reducing these collisions through sound decision-making within the SDDOT project development and design offices. Research results provide examples and guidance to address the problem of WVC and the work being conducted and needed to help reduce these collisions.

2 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

Wildlife-vehicle collisions in South Dakota account for more than 25% of all crashes. Over 60% of these crashes occur on SDDOT-administered highways. It is estimated that on average over 20,000 large ungulates are lost to vehicle collisions throughout the state each year. Previous research has identified areas with the highest WVC rates in the state. Although locations in the Black Hills area rate the highest, additional information has shown that WVC occurrences are a statewide issue. To improve the safety of the traveling public and help maintain wildlife populations in South Dakota, SDDOT would need to identify locations with the most potential to incorporate WVC mitigation measures and to plan projects to implement those measures. To date there is no known guidance within SDDOT to assist in the planning, design, and implementation of WVC mitigation strategies and measures.

Work has been done nationally, resulting in wildlife collision avoidance strategies with a wide range of approaches. For the consideration of WVC mitigation within South Dakota priorities will be focused on the use of physical strategies (e.g. fencing, underpass, obstacles, habitat manipulation, etc.) Selecting the optimal, most cost-effective approach to mitigation is an involved process relying on an accurate and comprehensive assessment of site-specific characteristics, wildlife species, habitat and ecosystem, property ownership, and traffic conditions.

Research is needed to look at ways to reduce WVCs in South Dakota through:

• identification of key wildlife crossing locations

• creation of guidelines for scoping, investigation, design, and development

• creation of a methodology to evaluate mitigation needs

• determination of whether existing structures can be retrofitted or included for the use of wildlife crossings

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• incorporation of wildlife crossings, fencing, or other useful techniques into currently planned transportation projects

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state DOTs are increasingly recognizing that WVCs are a serious problem for motorists and wildlife alike. Reducing these collisions necessitates several important steps for DOTs that include incorporation of initial planning, collaboration among agencies, and the creation of scientifically and engineer-based wildlife mitigation along transportation corridors.

Finally, successfully reducing WVCs requires access to the best available scientific and engineer-supported WVC mitigation techniques and their efficacy for protecting motorists. This can help create wildlife mitigation for different situations across the different ecoregions present in South Dakota. In turn early identification of WVC mitigation needs and the incorporation of specified data could help SDDOT create the most cost-effective wildlife mitigation for South Dakota’s transportation networks. Tailored guidance for implementing mitigation techniques will be essential to achieving WVC reduction goals across South Dakota.

With this project, SDDOT will be positioning itself to incorporate a guide to assist in the early identification, research applicability of mitigation needs, design, and implementation of WVC mitigation into transportation planning and projects. This will allow SDDOT as an agency to better address the WVC problem in the state in a research-based, cost-effective, and efficient manner.

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2.1 Financial Costs to South Dakota Citizens of Reported WVC Crashes

South Dakota averages close to 5,000 reported WVC on its roads and highways each year (data from South Dakota Department of Public Safety, SDDPS). The total accurate crash entries with codes for the severity of the WVC’s were tallied for 2014 through 2018. In the 5-year period, 22,955 collisions with wildlife were reported, and 9 people died as a result of those collisions (Table 1).

Table 1. Number of WVC Crashes of Different Severity Types Reported to

SDDPS 2014 through 2018.

CRASH INJURY TYPE NUMBER OF REPORTED

WVC 2014 - 2018

AVERAGE REPORTED

WVC PER YEAR

Fatal to Human 9 1.8

Serious, Visible, and Possible Injury to Human

288 57.6

Property Damage Only 22,658 4,532

Totals 22,955 4,591

These crashes can be translated into monetary costs to the South Dakota public, based on SDDOT use of national standards for average monetary values for each crash type. South Dakota uses the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) values as a base for costs of each crash type (U.S. Department of Transportation 2020). Fatal Crash Cost was based on "Guidance on Treatment of the Economic Value of a Statistical Life in US Department of Transportation Analyses." The US DOT estimates a human fatality and/or an crash with injury costs an average $395,313 per incident with the lowest value of $18,491 for the average value of a property damage only crash (U.S. Department of Transportation 2020). These costs include medical bills, vehicle repair and towing, loss of income, crash cleanup and other factors. Vehicle insurance industry estimated costs are strictly those claimed for insurance purposes. Costs for the associated impacts to travel congestion and impedance on other drivers can only be estimated for impact purposes.

Table 2. Average Annual Estimated Costs to Society of WVC Reported to South

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Dakota Department of Public Safety 2014 through 2018

CRASH INJURY

TYPE

AVERAGE

REPORTED

CRASHES PER

YEAR

SDDOT

AVERAGE $

VALUE PER

CRASH

TOTAL

MONETARY

VALUE

Fatal 1.8 $395,313 $711,563

Serious, Visible, and Possible Injury to Human

57.6 $395,313 $22,770,029

Property Damage Only

4,532 $18,491 $83,801,212

Totals 4,591 $107,282,804

2.2 Estimated Costs to Society of Wildlife Killed in Collisions

Estimates of the number of large ungulates killed and their monetary worth lost to WVC are difficult but not impossible to generalize. The above crash value estimates are calculated based on transportation agency estimates and are considered costs to society. The value of wildlife is not listed as a factor in these calculations. Research in Utah investigating the ratio of mule deer and other large wildlife carcasses found along the road as related to reported crashes generated a ratio of 5.26 carcasses found for every single reported crash (Olson 2013, Olson et al. 2014a).

In Virginia, the ratio was as high as 9.7 white-tailed deer carcasses collected for every reported WVC crash (Donaldson and Lafon 2008). The magnitude of unreported collisions with wildlife is potentially due to factors such as under insured motorists, or those lacking insurance have little to gain in reporting collisions, limited damage to a motor vehicle, or that tractor-trailer trucks receive little to no damage from large ungulate collisions and their drivers may incur punitive actions if they report collisions. Notably, there is a time investment for motorists to report collisions that may hinder on scene reporting.

Reported WVC crashes on all South Dakota roads cost the public an average of $107.2 million every year.

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Large ungulates are a valuable resource to South Dakota. Annually, an estimated $734 billion attributed to hunting and wildlife watching are directly spent in South Dakota (Southwick Associates, 2017). The value of individual animals is difficult to assess and can vary greatly depending on factors used in the determination. The South Dakota legislature set the civil damage liability at $1,000 per non-trophy deer and $5,000 per non-trophy elk to be assessed in instances of poaching. Bissonette and Hammer (2000) estimated the value of deer in Utah to be $2,420 based on the amount hunters spent to harvest deer in that year. Applying that methodology to South Dakota using information estimated by Southwick Associates (2017) and South Dakota GFP (2017), deer hunters directly spent $160,312,211 to harvest 51,932 deer in 2017. Using the total spent directly by deer hunters in 2017 divided by the total take of deer in 2017 yields a value of $3,086 per animal.

In Utah, 65% of deer killed in vehicle collisions have been documented to be female with 40% being adult female (Olson, 2013). The proportion of female-male deer mortality on roadways could have a significant effect on overall population abundance and have implications for game managers. Lowering WVCs should be a safety, biological, and economic concern of the state of South Dakota. WVC also involve elk and bighorn sheep, which are valued more highly by SDGFP, as well as other species, and it is likely that this lost value of wildlife remains an underestimate.

These costs are presented separately from the SDDOT crash cost estimates because US DOT crash cost estimates, which are the base of SDDOT estimates, are considered the overall cost to society; they do not include the value of wildlife. The value of the wildlife is presented as an individual number so wildlife management agencies such as SDGFP can better understand the toll of WVC on ungulates and include these figures in proactive steps to reduce costs to wildlife populations and to South Dakota revenue provided by the harvest of large ungulates each year.

With such large monetary consequences and impacts to both the traveling public and the

If the 5.26 correction value from Utah is used, South Dakota's yearly average of 4,591 WVC reported crashes may equate to as many as 24,149 large ungulates lost to WVC in South Dakota annually.

It is estimated that each year South Dakota loses an average of over 24,000 large ungulates due to collisions with vehicles, at a cost of over $74 million to potential South Dakota revenue.

6 July 7, 2021 survival of wildlife populations, it is recommended that SDDOT create standardized guidance documents for evaluating and addressing WVC mitigation. These guidance documents should include a systematic, reliable system for identifying transportation improvement projects throughout the state of South Dakota that would benefit from the inclusion of WVC mitigation measures.

This study is another step for SDDOT to becoming more proactive in identifying problem areas where wildlife needs to move across roads and in developing the necessary mitigation to protect the traveling public and help preserve wildlife populations. SDDOT has the opportunity to integrate scientific and research-based guidance documents and training into their transportation planning and project designs to assist in creating wildlife mitigation infrastructure. This will allow SDDOT and its partners to better address the WVC problem in the state in a scientifically, cost-effective, and efficient manner. In turn, these actions have the potential to save South Dakotans millions of dollars with reduced WVC occurrences, and to save the state’s wildlife populations from further mortality incidents due to vehicle collisions.

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3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This study addressed three primary objectives:

3.1 Develop a methodology to evaluate mitigation needs and options in planned construction projects

Evaluate existing SDDOT WVC mitigation measures implemented in past construction projects and the processes to identify these needs. Analyze current methodology and expand on the processes that are currently working for SDDOT.

3.2 Apply the methodology to one or more locations

Apply the methodology identified during objective one to planned construction projects to determine the viability.

3.3 Develop guidance premised on best practices for reducing WVC in South Dakota

Develop guidance premised on best practices for reducing WVC in South Dakota

The objectives were accomplished through the completion of the tasks of this study. The first objective, develop a methodology to evaluate mitigation needs and options in planned construction projects, was accomplished through Tasks 2 through 4. This resulted in the review and evaluation of the current methodologies throughout the nation and within SDDOT. This includes the current processes to incorporate WVC mitigation into SD transportation planning.

The development of guidance and outreach materials documenting the methodology and illustrating its application in the case study projects was completed in Task 7. Objective two, apply the methodology to one or more locations, was accomplished through the completion of Task 6 where current SDDOT transportation projects were utilized to determine the effectiveness of draft guidance documents developed in the previous objective. Objective three, develop guidance premised on best practices for reducing WVC in South Dakota, was based on the data and information gathered in the previous two objectives where the team examined the best practices and mitigation measures throughout the nation and implemented these measures into current SDDOT transportation projects. The completion of objective three was accomplished throughout Tasks 6 and 7.

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4 RESEARCH TASK DESCRIPTIONS

4.1 Task 1. Kickoff Meeting

Meet with project technical panel to review project scope and work plan.

Kit Bramblee, the Principal Investigator (PI), met with the project technical panel in Pierre, South Dakota on June 27th, 2019. This meeting resulted in:

1. An agreed-upon scope of work and detailed work plan

2. Initial assessment of WVC reporting and mitigation planning processes in South Dakota;

and the primary outcome of the guidance being developed for SDDOT

4.2 Task 2. Through a review of the literature and consultation with experts, describe prevailing and best practices across the nation for mitigation of WVCs and application of models of wildlife habitat and ecosystems and WVC occurrence and distribution.

Task 2 included an extensive literature review that included research documents and planning materials from multiple government agencies, educational institutes, private research consultants, and many other professional organizations. Consultations with other state DOTs were a main focal point in determining best practices across the nation. Contacts were made with multiple agencies in determining methods to utilize in analyzing wildlife habitat and ecosystems for the occurrence of wildlife crossings and implementation of mitigation measures.

The research team collected as much literature pertaining to the use and implementation of wildlife crossings as they could via internet searches, reference documents for wildlife professionals and suggestions from wildlife education experts. The research team also conducted informal interviews with environmental personnel within select western and plains states known to be most progressive in dealing with WVCs and wildlife mitigation.

The research team completed a brief literature overview to document the effort. Pertinent information was included in this literature review. The literature review breakdown can be found as Appendix A. A list of agency personnel contacted for information pertinent to WVC mitigation can be found as Appendix B. From the information gathered during this task, a draft SDDOT guidance document was started. The evolution of these documents changed as

9 July 7, 2021 correspondence and sharing of the document occurred within SDDOT and with outside agency personnel.

4.3 Task 3. Describe SDDOT’s current methodology for identifying animal collision mitigation needs, selecting mitigation treatments, and evaluating effectiveness.

Contacts to primary SDDOT personnel and cooperating agencies in person, by email, or by phone for interviews regarding past and current methodology used to identify WVC mitigation needs was completed. These identified stakeholders in reducing WVCs and protecting wildlife movements where they are bisected by roads were asked to provide information regarding their role in WVC mitigation.

Primary forms of contact for this task were via email, virtual meetings, and an online-based questionnaire due to the complexity of the required virtual workspace in 2020. Questions asked were broad in terms of methodology for WVC mitigation. The primary purpose of this task was to determine if there has been any implementation of WVC mitigation in South Dakota, what these methods have been, and their effectiveness. To reach a broad spectrum of participants, a list of questions was compiled and reviewed by the panel and SDDOT Research Department staff. A virtual questionnaire containing these approved questions was distributed on June 16, 2020 via the online tool Survey Monkey.

Results can be found in brief form in Chapter 5, Findings and Conclusions. Greater detail of personnel included in the distribution list for the questionnaire can be found in Appendix B. The complete questionnaire utilized to collect this data can be found in Appendix C.

4.4 Task 4. Based on the findings of Task 2, design a more

comprehensive methodology for identifying animal collision mitigation needs, selecting mitigation treatments, and evaluating effectiveness, including benefit-cost analysis of mitigation strategies.

Task 4 included the development and determination of proper implementation of WVC mitigations into the SDDOT transportation project cycle.

Methodology for the development of guidance for SDDOT at all project levels was drafted from the results of Tasks 2 and 3. Data collected during the previous tasks was used to determine the

10 July 7, 2021 triggers for the identification of WVC mitigation in a transportation project. Based on these triggers, additional investigation efforts for pertinent data collection were determined from correspondence and literature documentation in Tasks 2 and 3. The initial product of the investigative efforts for a transportation project identified will ultimately be the determination of a mitigation strategy that will be cost-effective and functional to increase the safety of the traveling public. A determination of whether mitigation is viable on a transportation project will either eliminate the need or support the implementation of a determined mitigation strategy.

If a WVC mitigation effort is deemed necessary for the transportation project a preferred design alternative or WVC mitigation measure will be identified with the cooperation of multiple SDDOT sections.

The work completed during Tasks 3 and 4 was key to the project addressing objective one:

develop a methodology to evaluate mitigation needs and options in planned construction projects. This primary objective will be used to move SDDOT forward into the future of WVC mitigation.

Results can be found in brief form in Chapter 5, Findings and Conclusions. Drafted guidance documents to be incorporated into SDDOT project development and design can be found in Appendix D.

4.5 Task 5. Interim Report and Second Meeting Between Researcher and

Technical Panel

Task 5 was to prepare an interim report summarizing findings and recommendations from Tasks 2 through 4 and to meet with the technical panel to review the report and discuss project direction. This task was completed with the submission of the interim report that summarized findings and recommendations from Tasks 2 through 4. A virtual meeting of the technical panel and the principal investigator, Kit Bramblee, occurred on August 10, 2020.

4.6 Task 6. To the extent possible within the study duration, apply the improved methodology on projects IM-FP 0901(195)36 Meade PCN 021G, Rapid City Area Wildlife Fencing project PCN 06Y4, and US16 from Rapid City to the Keystone Wye PCN 073F.

Task 6 was to implement the drafted methodology developed during Task 4 into currently active SDDOT projects to determine feasibility.

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Currently active SDDOT projects were reviewed for applicable actions to incorporate WVC mitigation. Utilizing the methodology developed in Task 4, the primary investigator was able to identify three current SDDOT transportation projects at varying levels of completeness and complexity to use as case studies for this task.

IM-FP 0901(195)36 Meade PCN 021G I90 EBL - Fm W of Exit 37 (Pleasant Valley) to Exit 40 (Tilford) Grading, Interchange Reconstruction (Exit 37), PCC Surfacing, Replace Str Bridge, Tilford Port of Entry

Executive Summary of Project Approved Scope:

The purpose of this project is to reconstruct the Interstate 90 eastbound lanes from west of exit 37 (Pleasant Valley Road) to the multi-plate culvert for the railroad underpass at MRM 38.34.

Also, the reconstruction of the westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp at Exit 40 (Tilford) due to the deteriorating pavement condition. This project will include replacing the interchange at Exit 37 (Pleasant Valley Road - Structure# 47-061-480), portland cement concrete (PCC) surfacing, and replacing all the pipe within the project limits under the eastbound lanes. This project will also include reconstructing the eastbound on and off-ramps at the Tilford Port of Entry. The work required for demolishing the existing Tilford Port of Entry inspection building, reconfiguring the layout and constructing a new inspection building at the current site is still being determined under a separate contract and may be included with this project or tied as a separate project.

This project also includes replacing structure# 47-064-484 over Pleasant Valley Creek with new structures under both the eastbound and westbound lanes. The Pleasant Valley Creek structure is currently a triple 10'x10' reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) constructed in 1956. An additional twin 7'x7' RCBC at approximately MRM 36.00+0.627 should also be replaced with a new structure under both the eastbound and westbound lanes. The Office of Bridge Design has determined that replacement is necessary, due to the structures nearing the end of their useful service life. The size and type of the new structures will be determined during design. Structure# 47-068-495 is a 38'x23'x397' steel multi-plate culvert located 1.6 miles northwest of the Tilford Interchange over the RCP&E railroad constructed in 1981 and extended on the westbound lanes in 2008. The multi-plate culvert will not be replaced with this project but may need to be extended depending on design. Structure# 47-068-501 is a triple 8’ x 4’ x 226.4’ RCBC that may need to be extended if the acceleration lane exiting the Tilford Port of Entry is reconstructed and lengthened.

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IM 0902(175) Lawrence PCN 06Y4 Rapid City Area Wildlife Fence

Executive Summary of Project Approved Scope:

An on-site inspection was completed on February 22, 2019, on Interstate 90 from Exit 8 to Exit 14 near Spearfish to help identify locations that may benefit from installing wildlife fencing due to the high number of wildlife vehicle collisions. The recommendation from the inspection team was to install an 8' high wildlife fence only in locations where chain-link fence currently isn't in place on Interstate 90 eastbound and Interstate 90 westbound from Exit 8 to Exit 14 near Spearfish. The SDDOT Highway Safety Office calculated a B/C = 9 for installing wildlife fencing through this corridor.

Contact Kit Bramblee in the SDDOT Environmental Office for additional information.

PL 0100(79) Pennington PCN 073F US16 from Rapid City to the Keystone Wye Study

Project Background, Understanding, and Need for Study:

As part of the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard Intersection Alternatives Study completed in 2016, it was determined that the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard intersection would need to be modified to provide an acceptable traffic level of service.

SDDOT intends to let for construction a project to modify the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard intersection in federal fiscal year 2026. There are other intersections of concern along the US16 corridor in the vicinity of the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard intersection that may impact or be impacted by what happens at that intersection. One of these intersections, Neck Yoke Road, has been identified for a safety intersection improvement project also in federal fiscal year 2026.

Beyond these two intersections, the overall corridor, from Cathedral Drive/Fairmont Boulevard in Rapid City, to the Keystone Wye, will be reviewed for items such as: safety, operational, access, geometric, and ITS-related needs. This study will help determine those impacts and bring the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard intersection and US16/Neck Yoke Road intersection projects to fruition.

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This study will determine an ultimate recommendation for the intersections of US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard and US16/Neck Yoke Road while completing a planning level corridor analysis for the remainder of the corridor study area. Additional objectives include:

1. Determine the need for the addition or removal of access roads (frontage and/or rearage) and/or auxiliary lanes along the US16 mainline as part of the planning level corridor study. This should include a review of the roadways within the unincorporated community of Rockerville, SD that are under SDDOT jurisdiction and developing an access management plan along the entire corridor.

2. Create environmental documents for the US16/US16B/Catron Boulevard intersection and US 16/Neck Yoke Road intersection and an environmental overview for the entire US 16 corridor within the study limits.

3. Create final products for use by the City of Rapid City, the Rapid City Area MPO, and the SDDOT, which will provide guidance to implement recommended improvements for future construction.

This task was pertinent to meeting Objective 2: apply the methodology to one or more locations. The lessons learned from the incorporation of the draft methodology into action projects were a required step in the revision of the completed guidance documents in subsequent tasks.

4.7 Task 7. Develop guidance and outreach materials documenting the methodology and illustrating its application in the case study projects.

Building upon the summary of best practices and lessons learned from across North America, as well as the internal examination of current practices in South Dakota and extensive literature review, a specific set of guidelines was developed for SDDOT. The guidance covers protocols and methodology for incorporating WVC mitigation into a transportation project; investigating WVC data; primary contacts within SDDOT to inform of future involvement; types of WVC mitigation measures; design alternatives; determining the best and most cost-effective wildlife mitigation strategies for each location where mitigation is prioritized and effective monitoring strategies.

Results derived from previous tasks helped to develop Task 7. Information from Task 2, describing the mitigation options available to reduce WVC was used to develop guidance and options for South Dakota. WVC crash and carcass and other GIS layers gathered in Tasks 3 and 4 were used to develop informative maps and databases. Contacts with the SDDOT highway

14 July 7, 2021 safety engineer and the SDGFP chief conservation officer helped to develop values for the cost of WVCs and the value of the individual wild animals lost to such collisions. These, in turn, were used to document the extent of the WVC problem in monetary terms and to help evaluate how well potential wildlife mitigation measures would pay off over time in reduced collisions.

Section 5, Findings, sub section 3, presents guidance recommendations for future action.

The primary investigator provided electronic copies of the guidance documents and supporting materials to the research panel for review and comment in October of 2020. One panel member provided feedback and comment.

4.8 Task 8. Meet with Technical Panel to Review and Approve Materials

Primary Investigator met with Technical Panel to review and approve materials.

The primary investigator provided electronic copies of the guidance documents, supporting materials and the draft final report to the research panel for review and comment in January of 2020.

4.9 Task 9. Final Report

In accordance with Guidelines for Performing Research for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, prepare a final report and executive summary of the research methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

The draft final report was developed in accordance with the Guidelines for Performing Research for the South Dakota Department of Transportation and delivered to the Project Manager for this research in January 2020.

4.10 Task 10. Executive Presentation

Make an executive presentation to the SDDOT Research Review Board at the conclusion of the project.

The Principal Investigator for the project, Environmental Scientist Kit Bramblee, presented research results to the SDDOT Research Review Board.

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5 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

This section begins with results from Task 2, an extensive literature review of current and past research throughout North America and abroad to identify areas within the transportation project life cycle to integrate WVC mitigation. The literature review evolved into resource agency contacts, data collection and documentation of best-known practices and finally an outreach research questionnaire (5.1). The second part of this section (5.2) illustrates how more comprehensive methodologies for identifying animal collision mitigation needs; selecting mitigation treatments; and evaluating effectiveness, including benefit-cost analysis of mitigation strategies, was drafted for SDDOT’s primary offices involved in implementing mitigation measures. These guidance documents are intended to be a user-friendly way to assist SDDOT in progressing toward a more reliable process to address WVCs via the understanding of effective mitigation approaches. The start of a mitigation strategy hitting the ground is the design of the measure determined the most feasible and effective. To lead the design, a standard for construction needs to be determined. Part of this section (5.3) elaborates on the fulfillment of this need within SDDOT for a specific transportation project. An additional section (5.4) will elaborate on the findings and lessons learned from the implementation of previously developed draft guidance documents into active SDDOT transportation projects, helping to continue building a final product for this research. Final findings and conclusions for actions taken within this research for monitoring pre- and post-construction will be discussed in the last section (5.5).

5.1 An Extensive Literature Review

In Task 2 the researchers sought out literature from across North America and abroad to gain as much knowledge as possible to provide the most accurate and updated information to the users.

Information from across North America pertaining to WVC mitigation strategies design alternatives, data collection, field analysis, guidance, monitoring, and costs were the primary review topics. The results are presented in three parts:

5.1.1 Electronic Literature Reviews

5.1.2 Resource Agency Contacts

5.1.3 Outreach Questionnaire

5.1.1 Electronic Literature Review

Literature and research documents discovered and evaluated during an extensive search of multiple online resources were inventoried. From these online resources over twenty-three separate relevant documents were identified. Multiple other documents with additional information pertaining to WVC mitigation were deemed unnecessary as overlapping

16 July 7, 2021 information was discovered in the initial review.

The process of retaining and inventorying the most pertinent documents for relevance to this research was undertaken by the research team early in the course of review to establish a better understanding of past and current processes for transportation agencies to integrate WVC mitigation into the projects. Each electronic file was reviewed. Information from each document was compiled within a central repository to be utilized in future research plans, guidance, and reports. Trending and obvious duplicate data and resources were noted as likely future reference items for building the most accurate and prevailing guidance for SDDOT. A complete list of these resources can be found in Appendix A.

Finding: Research leads compiled a collection of literature to determine comprehensive methods for WVC mitigation previously documented and utilized throughout the nation.

Conclusion: Over twenty-three electronic documents stemming from a sorted search of pertinent information was reviewed and cataloged. From this review the research team resolved that previously applied methodology throughout the nation would be viable to incorporate into SDDOT’s future transportation improvement scoping, design and ultimately construction.

5.1.2 Resource Agency Contacts

A priority function of the literature review entailed outreach to supporting and specific resource agencies abroad. Contacts with local agencies within South Dakota were conducted to collect data on crash analysis involving wildlife. The research team collected data from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (SDDPS) for the most recent information and locations involving documented wildlife collisions throughout the state of South Dakota (Appendix E).

Data collected from this outreach was utilized in assessing monetary dollar amounts associated with wildlife collisions in South Dakota.

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) was consulted for information pertaining to wildlife movements and key habitat identification in the review of transportation projects. Information gathered from discussions with SDGFP personnel was utilized on a project by project basis.

Consultation with SDGFP Environmental Review Senior Biologist for future transportation consultation involving WVC mitigation was completed to ensure proper questions and review points were reached. Identification of proper SDGFP personnel to include in consultation was determined and an updated template for SDDOT’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) agency coordination letter was drafted to include such SDGFP staff (Appendix F).

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ecological Services, South Dakota Field Office’s

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Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist was contacted for input on a draft template NEPA agency coordination letter that included WVC mitigation language. No feedback or comment was received from the USFWS. A template NEPA agency coordination letter was completed for future transportation projects that include WVC mitigation measures. (Appendix F)

State Farm insurance company was contacted during the initial literature review for South Dakota Collision information and costs per crash. State Farm Insurance was found to be the only identified agency providing public records of wildlife collision data in the South Dakota area.

South Dakota ranked #4 in the 2019-2020 census for states most likely to have a wildlife involved collision with a 1 in 53 chance. Since 2015 South Dakota has hovered in the #4 through #6 rated state in the nation for the likelihood of travelers to be involved in a wildlife collision with West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania, Iowa, or Wisconsin helping to round out the top 5. This information leads the research team toward a conclusion that something should be done where feasible to show that South Dakota is taking an active role in protecting the traveling public and the wildlife this state is known for nationally.

https://newsroom.statefarm.com/animal-collision/

Figure 1. State Farm 2019-2020 Animal Collision Likelihood by State

Outreach to western US state transportation agencies provided key information to be included https://newsroom.statefarm.com/animal-collision/

18 July 7, 2021 in SDDOT guidance and design alternatives. These contacts with relevant transportation agencies currently implementing WVC mitigation into transportation project reviews were the primary consideration of agency contacts. Conversations via email and electronic correspondence occurred with Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Montana DOTs. Key takeaways on transportation project identification, design alternatives, maintenance, and past implementation of guidance into agency procedures were documented. Stemming from this correspondence SDDOT Standards Engineers were able to establish newly developed standard plates for wildlife fencing, wildlife escape ramps, and wildlife jump-outs to be used in current and future transportation projects (Appendix H).

Finding: Agency outreach is and will continue to be a key tool to be promoted in the advancement of WVC mitigation. Resource agencies from across the nation are willing to assist in the advancement and implementation of WVC mitigation. Over ten different agency personnel, from outside of the South Dakota resource agencies, were contacted. Each individual and agency provided key pieces of input to assist in the development of a final product for this research.

Conclusion: SDDOT’s responsibility to take advantage of its partnerships and peer contacts throughout the western US that have engaged in WVC mitigation is paramount to staying on the innovative side of mitigation practices. The knowledge gained from this outreach is, and can continue to be, a driving force in the integration and ultimately the construction of WVC mitigation within the SD transportation system.

5.1.3 Outreach Questionnaire

A research-based questionnaire was developed to collect information on current and past practices of WVC mitigation, anticipated struggles with implementing these practices, and agency interest in participating in the development of WVC mitigation with SDDOT partnering resource agencies. The research panel reviewed and provided feedback on the 7 questions and the 48 identified contact individuals. The final questionnaire was created utilizing the online resource Survey Monkey and distributed via email to the panel selected 48 agency personnel (Appendix C).

Although only a 38% response rate was seen, feedback from this questionnaire identified some key aspects of WVC mitigation in South Dakota.