Deer-Vehicle Crash Patterns and Proposed Warning Sign Installation Guidelines - Proposed installation guidelines - deer-vehicle crash safety

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel

Deer crossing signs are widely used to mitigate deer-vehicle crashes (DVCs), yet existing guidance offers mostly qualitative criteria and rarely documents defensible, DVC-related placement thresholds. This study analyzes DVC patterns near 38 deer crossing sign pairs across five Wisconsin counties using three years of reported crashes on roadway segments within and between two miles of the signs. Calculated segment frequencies and rates identify sign pairs likely located in proper positions. The results support general installation guidelines and note their limitations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Research Scope and Objective

Past Research

Factors Impacting DVCs

Deer-Vehicle Crash Patterns and Proposed Warning Sign Installation Guidelines Keith K. Knapp, P.E., Ph.D. Assistant Professor University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering Professional Development 432 North Lake Street \#713 Madison, WI 53706 Phone: 608-263-6314 Fax: 608-263-3160 [knapp@epd.engr.wisc.edu](knapp@epd.engr.wisc.edu) Xin Yi Graduate Student University of Wisconsin-Madison. 1415 Engineering Drive Madison, WI 53705 Phone: 608-262-3967 Fax: 608-262-5199 [uw_xinyi@hotmail.com](uw_xinyi@hotmail.com) Submitted on November 15, 2003 Word Count: 5,402 + 9 figures/tables = 7,652 Knapp and Yi 1 ABSTRACT Deer crossing signs are the most widely used potential countermeasure to deer-vehicle crashes (DVCs) . The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides qualitative guidance and indicates the installation of these signs where animal crossings are unexpected. Most drivers assume these signs designate roadway segments with larger than typical numbers of DVCsand/or deer crossings. Studies of deer crossing signs have generally focused on their enhancement and assumed that they are correctly located and ineffective at DVC reduction. No generally available, documented, and defensible DVC-related guidance criteria for the installation of deer crossing signs were found during this project. These signs, however, are numerous and their proper installation at locations with a DVC problem would be more consistent, use limited resources more efficiently, and maximize whatever potential impact these signs might have on drivers. The research summarized in this paper investigated DVC patterns near 38 pairs of deer crossing sign pairs in five Wisconsin counties. Three years of reported DVCs were collected and summarized for the roadway segments between and within two miles of these pairs. Overall, 1/4-mile and average segment DVC frequencies and rates were calculated between and outside each sign pair, and compared with each other and the county and state averages. Fourteen of the 38 sign pairs were further evaluated because their average and peak DVC measures were all located between the signs. The findings ofthis research were used to develop some general installation guidelines for deer crossing signs. The limitations of the guidelines are noted. KEYWORDS: Deer-vehicle crash, safety, deer crossing warning signs, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Knapp and Yi 2 INTRODUCTION A number of methods have been used to reduce deer-vehicle crashes (DVCs) (1, 2) . Some of these countermeasures included deer fencing, wildlife crossing structures, roadside reflectors, vehicle whistles, highway lighting, and speed limit reductions (2) . The installation of a deer crossing sign (W11-3) to warn drivers of a roadway segment with a potential problem, however, is the most widely used and familiar attempt at DVC mitigation (See Figure 1) . The primary objective of these signs is to warn the driver of that they are driving along a roadway segment that may experience unexpected animal crossings (3) . If anything, however, a typical driver assumes that these signs are installed in locations with a higher than normal number of DVCsand/or deer crossings. The installation of these signs along segments that do not have a DVCrelated problem is not only a waste of resources (e.g., funding, manpower, and time), but also reduces whatever impact these signs might have on the driver. RESEARCH SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE Deer crossing signs (See Figure 1) are used throughout the United States, but the proper placement of these signs has not been studied. Very few published documents were found that focused on the methods or criteria to properly locate these signs, and quantitative guidance on their installation is almost non-existent. In addition, those jurisdictions that do use some type of quantitative DVC-related installation criteria appear to rarely document the methodology and often do not know the basis of the c

FAQs

Why are deer crossing warning signs installed on roadways?

They are intended to warn drivers that they may experience unexpected animal crossings along a roadway segment. The goal is to influence driver behavior and reduce risk.

What does the research investigate in this paper?

It examines DVC patterns near 38 deer crossing sign pairs in five Wisconsin counties and analyzes crash peaking patterns along segments between and within two miles of the signs.

How are the proposed guidelines different from current practice?

Current guidance from the MUTCD is qualitative and allows local decision-making, while this paper uses documented DVC data to develop general installation guidelines and highlight limitations.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel