Design Firm: AZTEC Engineering
Client: Arizona Department of Transportation
Owner: AZ Game & Fish Dept. Award Category:
Special Projects
Population growth and the expanding network of rural
highways in Arizona have led to increasing wildlife-vehicle collisions
on some of the state's most traveled routes. These safety and
wildlife concerns led to a multi-agency demonstration project,
with unprecedented cooperation by the AZ Dept. of Transportation,
the Federal Highway Admin., and AZ Game & Fish Dept.
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AZTEC Engineering facilitated the process of bringing diverse
stakeholders together. The result was a successful cutting-edge
Animal Detection System, wildlife fencing, and underpass system.
This project has gained tremendous public interest, and represents
one of the most comprehensive efforts in North America to reduce
the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions and enhance wildlife
movement across a high speed rural highway.
Highlights AZTEC incorporated include:
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Three fence types: Electric fence supplied by ElectroBraid
Fence Inc.; Retrofitted Barbed Wire Fence; and Standard Wire-Mesh
Game Fence.
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State of the art military-grade thermal image detection cameras
targeting large wildlife attempting to cross at the "end
of fence" area. The cameras then send images to computers
with software capable of determining if the object is large
enough - such as an elk or deer - to be a risk to motorists.
The detection system activates VMS and solar powered flashing
warning signs serve to alert motorists with real time information
of wildlife within the ROW. Solar Traffic Systems was instrumental
in developing and assisting with the electronic communication
between the detection system and warning signs.
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Design and location of ramps and jumps to provide an escape
mechanism for wildlife.
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