The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and Land Learning Foundation obtained grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program to conduct a statewide wildlife vehicle collision (WVC) hotspot study. The purpose of the study is to identify high WVC priority road segments for prioritization and development of mitigation measures to reduce WVCs and improve the safety of the traveling public while maintaining habitat connectivity. The study was conducted by HDR Engineering, Inc. and Wildlife Connectivity Institute; it evaluated data from wildlife-vehicle crashes, carcass reports, previously completed studies, and wildlife habitat, along with evaluation of transportation ecology best management practices. The study ranked statewide priority areas and developed site-specific recommendations for cost effective WVC mitigation at the top 10 road segments. The Missouri Statewide Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study provides a blueprint for Missouri to plan and build future wildlife crossing infrastructure and accommodations.
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was established to closely coordinate the Study and provide project reviews, comments, and recommendations. The TAC consisted of representatives from the following groups:
- MoDOT (https://www.modot.org/programs)
- Missouri Department of Conservation (https://mdc.mo.gov)
- Missouri State Highway Patrol (http://mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/FOB)
- Animal Road Crossing (ARC) Solutions (https://arc-solutions.org/)
- National Wildlife Federation (https://www.nwf.org/South-Central-Region)
- US Forest Service (https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/wfwarp/wildlife)
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (https://www.fws.gov/office/missouri-ecological-services)
- US Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
- National Park Service (www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca)
- Federal Highway Administration (https://highways.dot.gov/safety)
The report details recommendations to retrofit existing structures and develop, design, and construct WVC mitigation projects, with the overall goal of reducing WVCs statewide while promoting roadway safety and improving habitat connectivity. Also included in the report:
- A statewide list of top wildlife-vehicle conflict locations where mitigation is most warranted.
- A list of priority species that would benefit most from protected connectivity across roads.
- Conceptual mitigation solutions for the 10 segments based on current best practices, including benefit-cost analysis of the mitigation recommendations.
- Implementation plan for the WVC report results, including next steps and recommendations for a standardized approach to consider WVCs and habitat connectivity during planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations of the state transportation system.
Study-based Interactive Map
Results of the Statewide WVC study are shown in an interactive map. This map was developed to display data from the Study, including transportation safety roadway data, such as WVC locations, and ecological factors, like suitable and occupied wildlife habitat and their impact on collisions. Within the map, you can find the statewide priority segments, along with the top 10 priority segments. Each segment contains more detailed information on the scoring criteria. The map will be used to view priority WVC roadway segments to inform MoDOT planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations of the state transportation system to reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity in Missouri.
Study Milestones
September 2024
May 2025 Completion Target
October 2025 Completion Target
December 2025 Completion Target