New animal detection system to help reduce highway crashes

Two new wildlife detection systems have been installed along Highway 3 with the hopes of reducing the number of collisions between motorists and wildlife.

The new made-in British Columbia systems are now operational near Elko and Sparwood, locations known for the high concentration of elk and deer in the area.

“About one in 25 crashes are caused by wildlife collisions often leading to fatal injuries of these animals and causing serious injuries to those in the vehicle as well as contributing to increased injury and collision claims,” Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone said. “Our government should always be looking at and implementing cutting-edge technology to keep costs low and make B.C. highways safer for both people and wildlife.”

Motorists along Highway 3 will see flashing warning signs when a large animal approaches the roadway. This will allow the driver to slow down and avoid a collision. The components of the systems were largely designed and manufactured in B.C., including the software which was developed in Victoria.

“Highway 3 is a busy highway, used by mining workers, tourists, commercial vehicles and locals,” Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett said. “It is also home to large populations of elk and deer that sometimes migrate onto the highway. We’ll be looking very carefully at the results of this pilot project to see if we can implement this technology in other areas around the province.”

This pilot project has been in the works since late 2015 and ministry staff will monitor the data from the systems to see if there is a decrease in wildlife related crashes as a result of the new technology.

B.C. already has a number of measures in place to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. These include wildlife exclusion systems with more than 500 km of fencing, overpasses and underpasses, roadside mowing and clearing and static and flashing advisory signs.