Nature Lab

Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study

MoDOT and MDC are working together to make roads safer for people and wildlife

February 2026 marked the completion of a first-of-its-kind study for the state of Missouri — the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Statewide Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study, which was funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

“This was a very collaborative study between MoDOT and MDC,” said MoDOT Senior Environmental Specialist Caleb Knerr. “The goal was to have a systematic way of analyzing wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots and then prioritizing those locations.” 

MDC’s role, explained Knerr, was providing ecological data to help rank those hotspots. With top sites identified, he said, MoDOT can look at “existing structures that can be retrofitted or have fencing added to facilitate wildlife movement under those roads or bridges.” 

Data for the study fell into three main categories: safety (number and severity of crashes involving wildlife), ecological (habitat type and quality, presence/likelihood of priority species), and feasibility (benefits vs. costs, landscape suitability, current structures, and future development). 

Of the 33,811 miles of roads that MoDOT maintains, 627 segments were identified as wildlife-vehicle conflict hotspots. The top 10 sites will be prioritized for mitigation work (pending funding). Study data will also be incorporated into MoDOT’s overall work plans so mitigation can be completed at other locations as opportunities arise.

While data for collisions with large animals like deer can be obtained from police reports, information on collisions with small animals is harder to find. To begin filling this gap, in October 2025 MoDOT launched the Roadkill and Observation Data System (ROaDS), an app for the public to report roadkill and live animals spotted along roads. 

“We’re hoping the ROaDS app will help with recording amphibians, reptiles, and other species that go unnoticed because they don’t cause enough damage or injuries to have the highway patrol or insurance involved,” said MoDOT Senior Environmental Specialist Tayler MacDonald. 

MDC Policy Coordinator Jordan Meyer noted that the study also has value for MDC staff. “These results,” he said, “provide a strong foundation for both MoDOT and MDC to integrate wildlife connectivity and public safety considerations into upcoming projects.

At a Glance

MoDOT’s Statewide Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study is a grant-funded project completed in collaboration with MDC to pinpoint priority locations for making roads safer by facilitating wildlife crossings. The study shows where future mitigation could have the biggest impact for both wildlife and people.

Examples of mitigation:

• Tracking Fencing to keep wildlife off roads or guide them to areas for crossing under the road 
• Adding materials under bridges and culverts to create pathways that wildlife can easily walk on
• Removal of vegetation that attracts deer to roadsides or that hides underpasses

Learn more at modot.org/wildlife-vehicle-collision-study