Flashing posts protect wildlife from road deaths
When a wild animal is near the roadside guide posts, the orange lights begin to flash.
In the canton of Zurich, there are too many road accidents involving wildlife. The canton is therefore testing a new type of wildlife warning system: flashing posts are designed not to deter animals from crossing the road, but to prompt drivers to adjust their driving behaviour.
In 2017, around 4’500 road accidents involving wildlife were recorded in the canton of Zurich. These accidents caused costs of around seven million francs per year, as the Directorate of Civil Engineering announced on Monday. These figures are set to fall — despite the fact that the number of road users on Zurich’s roads increases by 10’000 per year.
Prevention measures designed to keep wildlife away from roads using light, sound, or scent signals often achieve only limited success, as animals tend to become accustomed to them over time. According to the latest findings, systems that warn road users of wildlife near roads have proven more effective. More on this in the category Environment & Nature Conservation.
Reduce speed when lights are flashing
In the wildlife warning system, which will be deployed on four cantonal roads from March onwards, sensors mounted on the roadside guide posts detect wild animals approaching to within approximately 30 metres of the road.
Orange flashing lights, also fitted to the posts, then alert road users to the potential hazard. When roadside guide posts are flashing, speed must be reduced.
On the four test sections, each around 500 metres long, modules fitted with the corresponding sensors and flashing lights will be mounted on both sides of the roadside guide posts. A signage board reading «Electronic Wildlife Warning System» will alert road users to the test section.
The wildlife warning systems will be operational from March 11 in the Sihl Valley between Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg, and in Nürensdorf between Nürensdorf and Breite. From March 25, the two systems in Wil ZH between Hüntwangen and the German border, as well as in Truttikon between Truttikon and Schlatt, will also be in operation.
Bavaria tests identical wildlife warning system
Starting in February 2019, a new warning system that detects wildlife at the roadside and alerts drivers through light signals will be tested on four pilot routes in the districts of Schweinfurt, Wunsiedel, and Erding/Landshut.
Three-year trial
New technologies can make our lives easier and safer. «AniMot» also offers a new approach to preventing wildlife accidents. On various routes in Bavaria, we want to put the system to the test and, after the trial phase, evaluate whether the number of wildlife accidents has decreased.
Transport Minister Reichhart
Transport Minister Reichhart will have the Bavarian Road Administration test the wildlife warning system developed by start-up «AniMot» for an initial period of three years. A roadside announcement sign will inform road users about the pilot project.
Warning instead of deterrence
Interior State Secretary Eck expects the project to provide valuable insights for reducing wildlife accident figures: “Our goal is to warn drivers in good time when there is a danger, so that they can prevent a collision with crossing wildlife by adjusting their driving behaviour.” Unlike other wildlife warning systems, AniMot does not rely on deterring animals, but on efficiently warning drivers. A small device on the roadside guide post monitors the area around the road and activates an integrated yellow warning light as soon as it detects wildlife at the roadside. At the same time, AniMot sends a warning to the modules on neighbouring guide posts, which also light up. Road users are thus warned at a sufficient distance and reminded to drive slowly and with anticipation. More articles can be found in the category Wildlife.
