Reducing animal vehicle collisions

A driver alert system for an automobile includes a global positioning system adapted to monitor a location of an automobile, and a processor adapted to receive data from the global positioning system, receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range from the automobile, calculate a distance from the automobile to an area of wildlife activity as indicated by the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within the pre-determined range from the automobile, and provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile and the automobile is within a triggering distance of such wildlife movement.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for providing an alert to a driver of an automobile when the automobile is traveling in an area where there is high wildlife activity.

Animals usually have erratic and unpredictable behavior that can put drivers and themselves in dangerous situations. Animal-automobile collisions can happen abruptly, especially in low-light conditions when drivers can't see the road ahead clearly. Such accidents not only cause harm and injury to the driver and passengers, but also to the animal that the automobile collided with.

Often, in areas where there is a known high level of wildlife activity, measures can be taken to prevent animal-automobile collisions. Signs are typically posted along roadsides where there is a known high level of wildlife activity. Unfortunately, drivers may fail to notice such signs or ignore them altogether as a normal fixture. In extreme situations, communities can construct barriers in an attempt to prevent wildlife from crossing roadways at a location and force wildlife to travel a different path. Such measures are expensive and cause interference with normal wildlife migration patterns.

Thus, while current measures achieve their intended purpose, more or less, there is a need for a new system and method for providing an alert to a driver of an automobile when the automobile is traveling in an area with high wildlife activity.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a driver alert system for an automobile includes a global positioning system adapted to monitor a location of an automobile, and a processor adapted to receive data from the global positioning system, receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range from the automobile, calculate a distance from the automobile to an area of wildlife activity as indicated by the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within the pre-determined range from the automobile, and provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile and the automobile is within a triggering distance of such wildlife movement.

According to another aspect, the system further includes a driver interface adapted to receive the alert from the processor and display the alert to the driver of the automobile.

According to another aspect, the driver interface is one of a head-up display and an instrument cluster display.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to monitor a current time and to provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile at the current time.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to monitor a current date and to provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile on the current date.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits by downloading data from a first publicly available database via the internet.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to download data of historical wildlife position and migration habits in one of real time and when prompted in anticipation of off-grid travel.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to receive real-time information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a reporting system and to provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when an automobile-wildlife collision has occurred within the pre-determined range of the automobile.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to receive historical information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a second publicly available database and to provide an alert to a driver of the automobile when automobile-wildlife collisions have occurred within the pre-determined range of the automobile.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to provide an enhanced alert when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile at the current time and on the current date and directionality of the data indicates movement of wildlife toward the automobile.

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method of providing an alert to a driver of an automobile includes determining a current location of the automobile with a global positioning system, communicating the location of the automobile to a processor, receiving, with the processor, data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range from the automobile, calculating, with the processor, a distance from the automobile to an area of wildlife activity as indicated by the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within the pre-determined range from the automobile, and providing an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile and the automobile is within a triggering distance of such wildlife movement.

According to another aspect, the providing an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile further includes communicating the alert from the processor to a driver interface that is adapted to receive the alert from the processor and display the alert to the driver of the automobile.

According to another aspect, the method includes monitoring, with the processor, a current time, and providing an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile at the current time.

According to another aspect, the method includes monitoring, with the processor, a current date, and providing an alert to a driver of the automobile when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile on the current date.

According to another aspect, the receiving, with the processor, data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range from the automobile further includes downloading data from a first publicly available database via the internet.

According to another aspect, the processor is adapted to download data of historical wildlife position and migration habits in one of real time and when prompted in anticipation of off-grid travel.

According to another aspect, the method further includes receiving, with the processor, one of real-time information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a reporting system and historical data of automobile-wildlife collisions from a second publicly available database, and providing an alert to a driver of the automobile when an automobile-wildlife collision has occurred within the pre-determined range of the automobile.

According to another aspect, the method further includes providing an enhanced alert when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range of the automobile at the current time and on the current date and directionality of the data indicates movement of wildlife toward the automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, a driver alert system10for an automobile12, in accordance with the present disclosure includes a global positioning system (GPS)14that is adapted to monitor a location of the automobile12. The GPS14is in communication with GPS satellites16, and tracks the position of the automobile12and parameters such as direction of travel and speed.

A processor18is in communication with the GPS14and receives information from the GPS14relative to the location of the automobile12. The processor18is also adapted to receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range20from the automobile12, calculate a distance22from the automobile12to an area24of wildlife activity as indicated by the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within the pre-determined range20from the automobile12, and provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12and the automobile is within a triggering distance28of such wildlife movement.

Referring toFIG.2, the system includes a driver interface30adapted to receive the alert26from the processor18and display the alert26to the driver of the automobile12. In one exemplary embodiment, the driver interface30is an instrument cluster display screen30A positioned within an instrument panel32of the automobile12. In another exemplary embodiment, the driver interface30is a head-up display30B projected onto an inner surface of a windshield34of the automobile12.

Referring again toFIG.1, the processor18is in communication with the internet36via a wireless local area network (WLAN)38. The processor18communicates with the WLAN 38 via known methods such as, but not limited to a GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile communication/General Packet Radio Service modem). When the automobile12is connected to the internet36, the processor18is adapted to receive data of historical wildlife position and migration habits by downloading data from a first publicly available database40via the internet36. One example of such a database40is provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) which has recently begun mapping herd location and migration routes of ungulates (hooved mammals such as deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bison).

The migration mapping effort was facilitated by the Department of the Interior, which has brought greater focus to the need to manage and conserve big-game migrations. It builds on more than two decades of wildlife research enhanced by a technological revolution in GPS tracking collars. The research shows ungulates need to migrate in order to access the best food, which in the warmer months is in the mountains. They then need to retreat seasonally to lower elevations to escape the deep winter snow. Big-game migrations have grown more difficult as expanding human populations alter habitats and constrain the ability of migrating animals to find the best forage. The herds must now contend with the increasing footprint of fences, roads, subdivisions, energy production and mineral development. Additionally, an increased frequency of droughts due to climate change has reduced the duration of the typical springtime foraging bonanza.

Fortunately, maps of migration habitat, seasonal ranges and stopovers are leading to better conservation of big-game herds in the face of all these changes. Detailed maps can help identify key infrastructure that affect migration patterns and allow conservation officials to work with private landowners to protect vital habitats and maintain the functionality of corridors. Tracking of this information provides useful data on when and where movement of such animals is likely to intersect with roadways42.

When the automobile12is connected to the internet36, the processor18can download data from the first publicly available database40in real time to identify areas within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12that are known to have high wildlife activity. Alternatively, if a driver of the automobile12plans to travel on off-grid roads or trails, where connectivity will be limited, the driver may prompt the system10to download data of historical wildlife position and migration habits ahead of time.

Referring toFIG.3, the processor18collects data from the first publicly available database40via the internet36for an area44within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12. For example, the processor18may collect data to identify wildlife activity within a 50-mile radius of the automobile12. As shown inFIG.3, the processor18collects data of wildlife activity within the 50 mile radius of the automobile12. As shown in this example, the data indicates a migration path24of wildlife that crosses the roadway42. As the automobile12approaches the migration path24, when the automobile12is within the triggering distance28, such as 1 mile, from the migration path24, the processor18sends an alert26to the driver interface30to let the driver know there is a likelihood of wildlife activity in the area44and increase the driver's awareness toward the roadway42. The system10downloads data periodically, such as once an hour, to update the data as the automobile12travels.

The travel habits of many animals are dependent upon the time of day. Nocturnal animals, like bats, are active at night. Diurnal animals, like humans, are active during the day. Many ungulates are crepuscular, meaning they are active primarily at dawn and dusk. There's a very smart reason for picking these dimly lit in-between hours to be active. Crepuscular animals are avoiding predators. Many predators are most active at the peak hours of daylight and darkness, so animals which are a prey species for carnivores, are active during twilight hours when predators are already tired from a night of hunting, or are just waking up. Plus, it's tough to see during these hours, a fact that gives prey species an added edge in hiding from or escaping predators. Crepuscular activity also allows animals to be active when the temperature is most reasonable. Desert animals can escape the heat of midday and the chill of midnight by being active at dawn and dusk instead. And some species may shift from being nocturnal or diurnal to being crepuscular due to environmental factors such as competition with other species. Crepuscular activity is further broken down into matutinal animals, which are most active in the morning, and vespertine animals, which are most active at dusk.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor18is adapted to monitor a current time and to provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current time. For example, whitetail deer are crepuscular, and are most active during the early morning and early evening hours. If the automobile12is traveling in an area44known to have a large population of whitetail deer, the processor18may provide an alert26only during the early morning and early evening periods. Alternatively, the processor18may provide a general alert26when the automobile is traveling through this area44during mid-day and mid-night times to alert the driver to the presence of whitetail deer in the area44and draw the driver's attention to the roadway42, and provide an enhanced alert46during the early morning and early evening times to provide a more noticeable alert to the driver during those times. The enhanced alert46may appear on the driver interface at more rapid intervals, or may appear in larger print or brighter colors, or may include an audible component to provide a more noticeable alert.

In another exemplary embodiment, the processor18is adapted to monitor a current date and to provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12on the current date. For example, some ungulates migrate great distances depending on the season. Some species migrate from a summer feeding area to a wintering area during the fall, and migrate in the opposite direction from the wintering area to the summer feeding area in the spring. The likelihood of such wildlife crossing a roadway42that passes between their summer feeding area and their wintering area is only significant during the spring and fall seasons. The processor18will only provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12during the spring and fall seasons. In some instances, the timing of such migrations is highly predictable, and the data collected by the processor18from the first publicly available database40can provide precise information on when an alert26should be provided within a given area.

In another exemplary embodiment, the processor18is adapted to receive real-time information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a reporting system48and to provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12when an automobile-wildlife collision has occurred within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12. Such a reporting system48may gather real time data via vehicle to vehicle communications, or as entered by other drivers related to incidents of automobile-wildlife collisions.

Alternatively, the processor18may be adapted to receive historical information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a second publicly available database50and to provide an alert26to a driver of the automobile12when automobile-wildlife collisions have occurred within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12. One example of such a database50is the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This second publicly available database50may include relevant information regarding wildlife collisions indicating possible wildlife activity that is not reflected in the wildlife tracking data of the first publicly available database40.

Referring toFIG.4, in an exemplary embodiment the processor18provides an alert26that displays text on the driver interface30suggesting a reduced “45 MPH” speed due to being in a “Wildlife Hazard Area”. In another exemplary embodiment, the processor18is adapted to provide an enhanced alert46when the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current time and on the current date and directionality of the data indicates movement of wildlife toward the automobile12. Referring toFIG.5. An example of such an enhanced alert46includes text on the driver interface30suggesting a reduced “45 MPH” speed due to being in a “Wildlife Hazard Area” and also includes a graphic52and an arrow54indicating the direction that wildlife is likely to be traveling to provide additional guidance to the driver to be alert to wildlife coming from that direction.

Referring toFIG.6, a method of providing an alert26,46to a driver of an automobile12is shown schematically at100. Starting at block110, the method includes determining a current location of the automobile12with a global positioning system14. Moving to block112, the location of the automobile12is communicated to the processor18. Moving to block114, the method includes receiving, with the processor18, data of historical wildlife position and migration habits within a pre-determined range20from the automobile12. When the automobile12is connected to the internet36, the processor18downloads data from the first publicly available database40in real time. If prompted by the driver, the processor18downloads data of historical wildlife position and migration habits ahead of time for travel on off-grid roads or trails.

Referring toFIG.3, the processor18collects data from the first publicly available database40via the internet36for an area44within a pre-determined range20of the automobile12. For example, the processor18may collect data to identify wildlife activity within a 50-mile radius of the automobile12. As shown inFIG.3, the processor18collects data of wildlife activity within the 50 mile radius of the automobile12. As shown in this example, the data indicates a migration path24of wildlife that crosses the roadway42.

Referring again toFIG.6, moving to block116, the method includes calculating the distance22from the automobile12to the area24of wildlife activity. Moving to block118, if the distance22between the automobile12and the area24of wildlife activity is greater than the triggering distance28, moving to block120, no alert26is sent. If the distance22between the automobile12and the area24of wildlife activity is less than the triggering distance28, moving to block122, the method100includes providing an alert26to the driver interface30and the driver of the automobile12. Referring again toFIG.3, as the automobile12approaches the migration path24, when the automobile12is within the triggering distance28, such as 1 mile, from the migration path24, the processor18sends an alert26to the driver interface30to let the driver know there is a likelihood of wildlife activity in the area and increase the driver's awareness toward the roadway42.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method100, at block118, if the distance22between the automobile12and the area24of wildlife activity is less than the triggering distance28, moving to block124, the method100includes monitoring, with the processor18, a current time. Moving to block126, if the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits does not indicate wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current time, moving to block128, no alert26is sent. Moving again to block122, if the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current time the method includes providing an alert26to the driver of the automobile12.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method100, at block118, if the distance22between the automobile12and the area24of wildlife activity is less than the triggering distance28, moving to block132, the method100includes monitoring, with the processor18, a current date. Moving to block134, if the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits does not indicate wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current date, moving to block136, no alert26is sent. Moving again to block122, if the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current date the method100includes providing an alert26to the driver of the automobile12.

Beginning at any of blocks120,128and136, moving to block140, the method100includes receiving, with the processor18, one of real-time information of automobile-wildlife collisions from a reporting system48and historical data of automobile-wildlife collisions from a second publicly available database50of automobile-wildlife collisions. Moving to block142, if no real time information or historical data of automobile-wildlife collisions is received, then moving to block144, no alert26is sent. If either real time information or historical data is received by the processor18indicating that automobile-wildlife collisions have occurred within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12, then, moving to block146, the method100includes providing an alert26to the driver of the automobile12.

Referring again to block122and moving to block148, if the data of historical wildlife position and migration habits indicates wildlife movement within the pre-determined range20of the automobile12at the current time and on the current date and directionality of the data indicates movement of wildlife toward the automobile12, moving to block150, the method100includes providing an enhanced alert46to the driver interface30and the driver of the automobile12. Referring toFIG.5, an example of such an enhanced alert46includes text on the driver interface30suggesting a reduced “45 MPH” speed due to being in a “Wildlife Hazard Area” and also includes a graphic52and an arrow54indicating the direction that wildlife is likely to be traveling to provide additional guidance to the driver to be alert to wildlife coming from that direction.

A method100and system10of the present disclosure offers several advantages. These include providing an active alert26,46to the driver of an automobile12when there is a likelihood of wildlife activity within a pre-determined range20of the automobile12. This will alert the driver to the possibility of encountering wildlife so the driver can be more alert and potentially see such wildlife in the path of the automobile12prior to a collision.