|  |
|
| |
By: rorschach
Date: 8/9/98 5:31:17 PM
# Replies: 6
July 20, 1998 Design News
BREAKTIME The lighter side of engineering
Laser zaps roadkill hazards
Butte, MT--A Montana Wildlife Bureau laser-equipped truck is being used to reduce the rising incidence of roadkill-induced automobile accidents on the state's highways. The vehicle, equipped with a small industrial laser from Laser Test (Covina, CA), is being used in a pilot program to eliminate small animals in overpopulated habitats near heavily traveled highways. The effort is co-sponsored by WildAmerica, a Montana-based activist group advocating responsible wildlands and wildlife preservation and maintenance.
Overpopulation of several species, such as woodchuck, raccoon, porcupine, and opossum, in recent years has resulted in proportional increases in roadkill tonnage on Montana highways. Because these animals grow rather big in Big Sky country--some weigh in at 15 lb--a run-in with them on the road can damage a vehicle or even cause a driver to lose control. (Rorschach's Note: they also don't have speed limits up there. I wonder if THAT might have something to do with it...) Subsequent vehicles passing the roadkill site often swerve to avoid the remains, generating further accidents. Officials estimate that in the last two years, nearly 1,000 accidents have resulted from initial and secondary roadkill incidents--20 involving fatalities to drivers and passengers, in addition to the animals.
The truck-mounted laser, pointed out the right side, can eliminate nuisance animals up to 50 ft from the roadway. The laser is computer-controlled and boresighted to aim within the field of view an infrared camera that detects any animal. Data Exclusive (Gardner, MA) image-acquisition shape-recognition software determines if an animal is within the field of view and within effective range of the laser, triggering the beam. Backup is provided by an operator who activates the system when a prospective target is seen as the truck drives along at around 30 mph. Initially a visible-light camera was used, but developers say it gave more false positives, resulting in small brush being set alight. The infrared system homes in on an animal's body heat for virtually 100% effectiveness.
WildAmerica, when approached initially by the commission, was nonplused at the idea. But when shown the accident statistics, as well as the quickness of the device, the group felt it was more humane than the alternative, which could leave animal accident victims thrashing about the pavement for minutes and even hours before succumbing. Lance Piech, head of the group, says, "This system balances our concern for nature as well as our most precious resource, people."
An interesting sidelight to three months of testing this past spring was that operators noticed vultures and buzzards quickly learned to follow the van on its test runs in the Brazos and Butte areas. WildCom officer Curt Freeze says it was apparent that "the fresh killed and cooked carrion is a gourmet treat to these buzzards." The test crew also was able to provide itself with lunches of partridge and quail on several occasions, which tasted somewhat like flavorful barbecued chicken.
Several other states are considering the roadkill eliminating system. Texas has a particular problem with prairie dog communities of several hundred animals. System tests beginning in August will determine how the laser system functions in such a target-rich environment.
--A Design News crack staff report
Response #1
By: Da Sissop
Date: 8/10/98 8:49:56 PM
"In other news, the new numbers on the homeless in Montana were released today, and for reasons as yet undetermined, they show a sharp decline."
Response #2
By: rorschach
Date: 8/11/98 12:44:07 PM
I wonder if houston is among the localities interested in this device....
Response #3
By: Gowan McGland
Date: 8/11/98 10:28:27 PM
Hmm. I wonder if anyone's thought about buying those for the border patrol.
Response #4
By: Ralf
Date: 8/13/98 12:02:13 PM
If Darwin's right, we're just breeding laser-proof bunnies. Soon the current lasers will become ineffective, and they will have to use bigger lasers, then particle beams, then rockets.
And eventually, the critters will learn to shoot back...
There's a Mel Gibson movie in there someplace.
Response #5
By: The Sorcerer
Date: 8/14/98 11:52:27 PM
Gowan Sez:
------------
Hmm. I wonder if anyone's thought about buying those for the border patrol.
What make you think they haven't...hmm??? *Cue mysterious Twilight Zone music*
Sorc'(Rev)
Response #6
By: rorschach
Date: 8/15/98 7:50:10 PM
really! what about that kid that was shot by the marine.... nobody said what he was shot WITH.....