Research Report 2019-01 and related documents. Authors: Julia Kintsch, Pat Basting, Meredith McClure and Jim O. Clarke. Keywords: Wildlife crossings, decision-support, transportation planning, wildlife mitigation, wildlife prioritization, wildlife-vehicle collision, traffic safety
Colorado Wildlife Prioritization Studies
Research Reports 2022-03 and 2019-01. CDOT and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) launched the Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study (WSWPS) in 2016 to address the issue of wildlife-vehicle collisions. The Prioritization approach provided proactive tools for pursuing strategic wildlife-highway mitigation where it is needed most. The WSWPS report (2019-01) was completed in 2019, focusing on CDOT Regions 3 & 5 which make up the western portion of CO. Shortly after completion, CDOT and CPW partnered again, launching the Eastern Slope and Plains Wildlife Prioritization Study (2022-03) which was completed in 2022. Together they provide a statewide perspective on priority wildlife-highway conflict areas and mitigation needs. The two final reports and supporting documents are included here. Keywords: Wildlife crossings, decision-support, transportation planning, wildlife mitigation, wildlife prioritization, wildlife-vehicle collision, traffic safety.
Sortable version of 2019 WSWPS APPENDIX I: Implementation Considerations Matrix
2019 Spreadsheet with prioritization criteria used to identify areas of greatest need for wildlife-highway mitigation for each 0.5-mile segment of CDOT-administered highways in the Western Slope.
Report 2022-03. Authors: Julia Kintsch, Pat Basting, Teresa Smithson and George Woolley. Keywords: Wildlife crossings, decision-support, transportation planning, wildlife mitigation, wildlife prioritization, wildlife-vehicle collision, traffic safety.
This compilation of site-specific recommendations is provided as a standalone chapter accompanying the ESPWPS final report. Preliminary wildlife crossing mitigation recommendations for the top 5 percent highway segments in CDOT Regions 1, 2, and 4 were developed based on the findings of the field surveys and the latest research on the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies. These preliminary recommendations may be used to inform initial project planning and budgeting, although recommendations may be revised upon further project analysis.
This addendum to the ESPWPS contains findings and mitigation recommendations for the area around Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge to support targeted efforts by CDOT, CPW, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this area.
The Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Worksheet was first developed for the WSWPS and updated for the 2022 ESPWPS. It functions as a tool for determining the benefits and costs of wildlife crossing mitigation. The output of the tool is a BCA ratio, which is calculated in three ways: (1) using current CDOT Traffic and Safety Engineering’s methods and valuations; (2) using current U.S. Department of Transportation methods and valuations; and (3) using the Wildlife Prioritization Study hybrid benefit-cost methods and valuations. For Wildlife Valuation see ESWPS Appendix E. This spreadsheet should be utilized for planning only. The calculations do not imply or provide any approval for grant funding and/or safety funding. Requests for grant funding and safety funding will still need to be completed through the process governed by CDOT via DTD and the Traffic & Safety Engineering Branch, respectively.
Instructions for using the BCA Spreadsheet
This matrix is a compilation of additional considerations that may influence the likelihood of mitigation in a given highway segment, including factors that affect the opportunity, urgency, and feasibility of mitigation.
2022 Spreadsheet with prioritization criteria used to identify areas of greatest need for wildlife-highway mitigation for each 0.5-mile segment of CDOT-administered highways in the Eastern Slope and Plains of Colorado.
