Application Tool for Assessing Wildlife Passage

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(287)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 1341
Partners: TX, VA, WA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 18, 2017
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $160,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Jon Peterson
peterjn@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 360-705-7499
Study Champion(s): Jon Peterson
peterjn@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 360-705-7499
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Texas Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila
Texas Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila
Texas Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2016 $0.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Washington State Department of Transportation 2013 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas
Washington State Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas
Washington State Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas

Study Description

Animals moving across the landscape present a hazard to drivers and to themselves when their movements take them over a road. Sometimes, animals won’t attempt a crossing if traffic volumes are high, preventing them from reaching important seasonal habitat or finding a mate. While new bridges and culverts with fencing specifically designed for wildlife passage (wildlife crossings) can be constructed to facilitate safe passages, new infrastructure is expensive and should be constructed where it will do the most good. Therefore, the functionality of existing structures should be factored into the need for and design of new structures. These existing structures often provide a variety of safe crossing opportunities along a stretch of highway that can contribute to the movement needs of a diversity of species. Additionally, it is often more expedient and economical to upgrade existing bridges and culverts to provide for wildlife and ecosystem processes rather than design and build new structures.

Objectives

Recent research resulted in a new tool called the Passage Assessment System (PAS). This tool is designed for highway staff to use to assess how well existing highway structures are likely perform at passing a wide range of wildlife. The result will help direct investments to the highest priority projects and identify opportunities for making modifications to existing structures to facilitate wildlife movements. The PAS was field tested and showed promising results. This study seeks to develop a digital version of the PAS or application for use on a hand held device and a database structure for storing the data entered on hand held units. Accomplishing these objectives will make it easier to use PAS to evaluate existing transportation infrastructure and to store the information for easy access for multiple transportation planning purposes. Field verification of the PAS application would be completed in participating member states.

Scope of Work

Development of the study scope of work would involve all of the participating states. It is anticipated that the participating states would convene periodically to share expectations, review product development and provide feedback to ensure a quality end product.

Comments

WSDOT will commit an initial $20,000 in FFY 2013, and will request approval for an additional $20,000 in FFY 2014. State participation is suggested at $20,000 for each of two years.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
TPF-5(287) Closeout Letter TPF-5(287) Closeout Letter-Signed.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2017-10-24
TPF-5(287) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(287) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Other Public 2017-10-18
Quarterly Progress Report for 4th Quarter 2015 - Final Report TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - 4th Quarter 2015.docx Deliverable Final Report Public 2016-01-07
Quarterly Progress Report - 3rd Quarter 2015 TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - 3rd Quarter 2015.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-10-05
Quarterly Progress Report June 2015 TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - Apr to June 2015.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-07-23
Quarterly Progress Report March 31, 2015 TPF Quarterly Report - March 2015.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-04-06
Quarterly Progress Report January 2015 TPF Quarterly Report - January 2014.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-01-31
Quarterly Progress Report September 30, 2013 TPF Quarterly Report - TPF 5- 287 September 2013.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-10-09
Acceptance Memo TPF-5(287) Acceptance Memo.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2013-08-08
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Permeability of Existing Structures for Terrestrial Wildlife A Passage Assessment System TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2013-01-28

Application Tool for Assessing Wildlife Passage

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(287)
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 1341
Partners: TX, VA, WA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 18, 2017
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Total Commitments Received: $160,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Jon Peterson
peterjn@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 360-705-7499
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Texas Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Dennis Markwardt Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2016 $0.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2013 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas VargasK@wsdot.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2014 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas VargasK@wsdot.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2015 $20,000.00 Rhonda Brooks Kristy Vargas VargasK@wsdot.wa.gov

Study Description

Study Description

Animals moving across the landscape present a hazard to drivers and to themselves when their movements take them over a road. Sometimes, animals won’t attempt a crossing if traffic volumes are high, preventing them from reaching important seasonal habitat or finding a mate. While new bridges and culverts with fencing specifically designed for wildlife passage (wildlife crossings) can be constructed to facilitate safe passages, new infrastructure is expensive and should be constructed where it will do the most good. Therefore, the functionality of existing structures should be factored into the need for and design of new structures. These existing structures often provide a variety of safe crossing opportunities along a stretch of highway that can contribute to the movement needs of a diversity of species. Additionally, it is often more expedient and economical to upgrade existing bridges and culverts to provide for wildlife and ecosystem processes rather than design and build new structures.

Objectives

Recent research resulted in a new tool called the Passage Assessment System (PAS). This tool is designed for highway staff to use to assess how well existing highway structures are likely perform at passing a wide range of wildlife. The result will help direct investments to the highest priority projects and identify opportunities for making modifications to existing structures to facilitate wildlife movements. The PAS was field tested and showed promising results. This study seeks to develop a digital version of the PAS or application for use on a hand held device and a database structure for storing the data entered on hand held units. Accomplishing these objectives will make it easier to use PAS to evaluate existing transportation infrastructure and to store the information for easy access for multiple transportation planning purposes. Field verification of the PAS application would be completed in participating member states.

Scope of Work

Development of the study scope of work would involve all of the participating states. It is anticipated that the participating states would convene periodically to share expectations, review product development and provide feedback to ensure a quality end product.

Comments

WSDOT will commit an initial $20,000 in FFY 2013, and will request approval for an additional $20,000 in FFY 2014. State participation is suggested at $20,000 for each of two years.

Title File/Link Type Private
TPF-5(287) Closeout Letter TPF-5(287) Closeout Letter-Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(287) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(287) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Public
Quarterly Progress Report for 4th Quarter 2015 - Final Report TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - 4th Quarter 2015.docx Deliverable Public
Quarterly Progress Report - 3rd Quarter 2015 TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - 3rd Quarter 2015.docx Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report June 2015 TPF Quarterly Report TPF-5(287) - Apr to June 2015.docx Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report March 31, 2015 TPF Quarterly Report - March 2015.docx Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report January 2015 TPF Quarterly Report - January 2014.docx Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report September 30, 2013 TPF Quarterly Report - TPF 5- 287 September 2013.docx Progress Report Public
Acceptance Memo TPF-5(287) Acceptance Memo.pdf Memorandum Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Permeability of Existing Structures for Terrestrial Wildlife A Passage Assessment System TPF Study Documentation Public

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