Citation

Reed DF, Beck TDI, Woodard TN. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 1982; 10(4): 349-354.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, Wildlife Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Benefit-cost (B:C) analysis was used to describe the cost efficiency of 2.4-m fencing and associated structures designed to reduce deer (Odocoileus spp.)-vehicle accidents. B:C ratios for 6, 2.4-m fences ranged from 2.59:1 to 12.37:1. Using a hypothetical fence model sensitivity analyses were conducted on cost of vehicle repair, value of deer, pre-fence mortality (dead deer), fence effectiveness, discount rate, cost of fence, and cost of fence maintenance. B:C ratios were calculated for 3 fence designs when varying pre-fence mortality (accidents/1.6 km/year) and when keeping most of the other values constant in the model. Considering a minimum B:C ratio of 1.36:1, 8, 16, and 24 dead deer/1.6 km/year were the minimums for justifying 2.4-m fencing on 1 side of the highway, on both sides, and on both sides with an underpass, respectively.