WTI

Animal Detection System Project - UTC

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

There are no reports associated with this project.

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to investigate the reliability of a microwave radio signal break-the-beam animal detection system at the TRANSCEND facility in Lewistown, Montana.

Project Abstract

WTI is currently evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of a specific animal detection system for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The system is a third generation microwave radio signal break-the-beam system from ICx Radar Systems (formerly STS), which Caltrans plans to install near Ft. Jones, California. Through the original project (begun in 2005), WTI will be conducting field tests along a real roadside in northern California. This project will allow WTI to conduct additional reliability testing of the system at the testbed for animal detection systems at the TRANSCEND facility in Lewistown, Montana, which was not yet available when the Caltrans project was initiated. Reliability tests will be conducted during different seasons over the course of one year, to test for the impact of environmental factors. The tests will also use domesticated animals of various species in an enclosed pen, which will allow researchers to evaluate a large number of animal movements, and the impact of animals of different sizes.

Task Descriptions

1. Adapt Testbed
   1. The team will make adaptations to the testing facility according to the animal species selected. For example, researchers may install a finer mesh around the enclosure at the test bed in Lewistown to accommodate sheep and or goats.
2. Conduct tests
   1. Researchers will conduct 4 test periods (each test period is 10 consecutive days) over the course of one year to test the reliability of the system during different seasons.
3. Final Report
   1. The team will prepare a final report that summarizes the findings of the evaluation.
4. Develop testing plan
   1. The research team will develop a plan to test the reliability of the animal detection system at the TRANSCEND facility. The tests will be designed to evaluate the number of valid detections, the number of false positive detections, and the number of false negative detections. In addition, the tests will evaluate the impact of environmental conditions on system reliability.
5. Project Management
   1. The Principal Investigator will conduct project management tasks, including communication with sponsors, coordination with field research activities, and progress reports.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Road Ecology, animal detection systems, road mortality, break the beam system

Partners

Research and Innovative Technologies Administration (USDOT), California Department of Transportation