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Traffic and Safety

moose

Wildlife and Highways Workgroup

With an estimated population of 175,000 moose in Alaska, it’s inevitable that conflicts with vehicles will occur on our highways . Alaska experiences about 765 animal-vehicle collisions a year, 85 percent of which involve moose.  About 11 of these collisions result in serious injury or death to a motorist. The average human and societal cost of each crash is estimated to be about $34,000.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is teaming with the Department of Fish and Game to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving moose on Alaska roadways.  Crash data analysis shows that moose-vehicle collisions are most prevalent on higher volume roadways in Alaska where favorable habitat for moose exists.  When motorists are aware of the high likelihood of moose in the roadway, they can exercise appropriate caution.

The two departments seek ways to help motorists more safely transit “moose country,” work cooperatively with each other during highway project development to identify improvements and countermeasures that reduce collisions, and collaborate on research to better understand moose populations and habitat in ways that help avoid or reduce the risk of moose collisions.

The Wildlife and Highways Workgroup is currently comprised of three staff from each agency:

DOT&PF

Doug Kolwaite, Statewide Environmental Program Manager

Ben White, Director, Program Development

Mary McRae,  Assistant State Traffic and Safety Engineer

ADF&G

Mark Burch, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife Conservation

Ron Benkert, Habitat Biologist, Division of Habitat

Tony Kavalok, Assistant Director, Division of Wildlife Conservation

Resources

Wildlife and Highway Memorandum of Understanding PDf document

DOT&PF and ADF&G Regional Contacts PDf document

Vegetation Management exit DOT&PF site

Animal Jams exit DOT&PF site

Driving In Moose Country exit DOT&PF site

Moose Safety -- DOT&PF Highway Safety Office exit DOT&PF site

Public Service Announcements (mp3)

See the Moose, Don't Hit the Moose

Hitting a Moose Can be Hazardous to Your ... Pocketbook