Warning systems triggered by trains could reduce collisions with wildlife

摘要: Abstract Ecosystems are degraded by transportation infrastructure partly because wildlife mortality from collisions with vehicles can threaten the viability of sensitive populations and alter ecosystem dynamics. This problem has attracted extensive study mitigation on roads, but little similar work been done for railways despite occurrence wildlife–train worldwide. We propose a method reducing losses providing animals warning signals that triggered approaching trains, particularly in areas high strike risk. Analogous to provided people at road–rail crossings, our system emits flashes light bell sounds approximately 20 s before train arrival location where is deployed. Learning theory predicts will associate these if signal (conditioned stimulus) consistently precedes (unconditioned stimulus). tested two designs system: one detects passing trains wirelessly relays this information devices further along track, integrates detection distance single device. The most reliable design detected magnetic or vibration sensors relayed devices. have developed an affordable publicly available prototype be built material cost US$225. With refinement, technology could become inexpensive means protecting around world fatal strikes wherever risk known predicted unusually high.