TxDOT Research Library - TxDOT Research Project

Show:

Assessing Traffic Threats for Amphibian and Reptile Species of Greater Conservation Need on Texas Roadways

amphibians logged in the Texas Roadkills database in iNaturalist

Planning Ahead for Endangered Species

What Was the Need?

In Texas, there are 46 amphibian and reptile species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) that can be found crossing roads. Five of these species are being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act, and an additional species has recently been designated as threatened. TxDOT is required to offset potential harm to those species in areas where traffic is identified as a threat. Without prior knowledge of where these species are, TxDOT cannot determine if they will be affected by traffic—and may find out about the presences of these SGCNs only after a project has started. This will delay project completion and increase project budgets.

What's the Solution?

The researchers at the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute created a road crossing database capable of mapping where the greatest frequency of road crossings occurs for all SGCN and by species (a series of "heat" maps) throughout Texas. If dead SGCNs are frequently sighted on a roadway, TxDOT can use the database to help determine whether traffic volumes in those areas explain that frequency. The database is populated by data from the iNaturalist, a community-based nature app in which citizens can log sightings of these animals.

Research Benefits

This database will help TxDOT save time and money, as planners can find out about potential conflicts with SGCN populations before a road project begins.

Project Number

0-6972

Status

Completed

link icon Copy link to this project.

Project Details

Start Date

6/6/2018

End Date

7/31/2019

Performing Institution(s)

Texas AgriLife Research

Research Team

RS: Roel Lopez

Sponsor

Project Manager

Chris Glancy

Contract Specialist

Patti Dathe

TxDOT Advisor

Mark Fisher, ENV

Amount Funded

FY18: $26,645
FY19: $61,331

Source

TxDOT RFP 18-45, FY 2018

Publications from this Project

Page:

More TxDOT Projects Like This

Functional Area

Safety and Operations

Index Terms

Amphibians
Animal behavior
Animal vehicle crashes
Road kill
Roadside fauna
Safety
Wildlife crossings

Lead University

TAR

Researcher

Lopez, Roel R., 1969-

User Feedback

Registered users may add comments. Comments will be shown with usernames.

Comments

Record Added:

11/7/2018

Record Updated:

1/8/2024 9:34 AM EST

Report a broken link or error ».