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Examining Patterns Of Animal–Vehicle Collisions In Alabama, Usa, Xiongwen Chen, Shuhong Wu

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Animal–vehicle collisions (AVCs) cause animal death, human injury, and vehicle damage. Uncovering the general patterns and related ecological processes of AVCs is useful for developing mitigation strategies. We examined some previous patterns about AVCs from records in Alabama during 2001 to 2011. The results confirm that: (1) there was a seasonal pattern, with >50% of AVCs occurring in winter; (2) AVCs occurred most frequently at dawn and dusk in the diurnal pattern; and (3) most AVCs occurred on county highways. However, interstate and federal highways had higher numbers of AVCs per km of road. Counties within metropolitan areas had more …