Deer Detection System: Solar-Powered Warning System Makes an Impact

With an estimated $1 to $1.5 million in property damage and nearly 10,000 deer/vehicle crashes each year in Minnesota, SRF’s idea for a deer detection system interested Mn/DOT. Funded through their Innovative Ideas Program, Mn/DOT sponsored SRF’s development of a solar-powered system that uses warning signs and a flashing light to alert motorists that a deer is near the roadway.

This warning system is particularly unique because of the low power and maintenance aspects – it will work until the solar-powered batteries can no longer be charged many years down the road. Additionally, it was relatively inexpensive to deploy; one mile of the system cost less than $30,000 in hardware, which is a third of the cost of other systems that have been deployed to date.

In April, the system was installed in Marshall, Minnesota, where a large number of deer/vehicle crashes occur. Prior to installation of the system, an average of at least one carcass was found per week. Results have been extremely positive: only four carcasses have been found in six months of continuous operation.

Solar power offers several advantages for ITS projects. In addition to reducing the pollution and greenhouse gases created by the generation of electricity, it can make projects simpler, cheaper, and quicker to install because no utility work is required.

Deer Detection in the News

This newsworthy project has been featured on national and local news broadcasts. Click the links below to see some of the media coverage:

CBS Evening News

KSTP

KARE 11