More on elk crossings
I’ve blogged on these before. I’m happy to see that they are finding them useful in preventing elk/human collisions.
From AZ Central
A road less taken . . . by wildlife
High-tech project near Payson is reducing auto-animal collisionsDeWayne Smith
Special For The Republic
Apr. 12, 2007 03:27 PM
Elk, much like the proverbial chicken, cross the road to get to the other side. But when the road is Arizona 260 east of Payson, there can be grave and expensive consequences to the jaywalking wildlife as well as to the motorists who hit them.However, a unique project to use regular and electrified fencing to “funnel” migrating elk through planned underpasses along the 3-mile stretch from east of Star Valley to where the highway begins to climb up the Mogollon Rim seems to be doing its job, according to Norris Dodd, a researcher for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
A part of the $700,000 project is the installation of what is being called an elk crosswalk in a favored migration area where a tunnel or bridge is not feasible. Basically, the animals milling about adjacent to the highway are detected electronically and warnings are flashed on signs along the highway.
“A sign tells motorists they are entering the elk crosswalk area, and when the system detects the animals in the vicinity the signs flash telling them animals are crossing ahead,” Dodd said.
“Basically, what we are saying is if the signs are flashing there are definitely elk in the area. If they were flashing all the time nobody would pay attention.” More here
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Having hit an elk in my truck late last summer, I learned first-hand just how quickly elk will walk onto roadways. Nice to see these elk warning devices used in problematic areas.
Simple lesson-learned for me. While in the woods driving — slow down and pay attention.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:08 pm