The Effect of Speed Limit and Road Width on the Road Effect Zone of Roe Deer

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

The road effect zone (REZ) is the area where animal behavior is changed due to both direct and indirect ecological effects of roads. This study examines the relationship of speed limit and road width on REZ of roe deer through eight roads in central California. Zone of influence (ZOI) calculations, traffic noise measurements (drawn from existing literature), and statistical analyses such as Pearson's correlation and linear regression were used to examine data from these roads. The distance at which traffic noise returned to a baseline of 40 dB, representing typical roe deer habitat conditions, was used to calculate the ZOI. Results showed that both speed limit and road width had a positive correlation with the ZOI, with road width showing a stronger effect. Linear regression determined that the REZ was extended by roughly 78.5 meters for each lane increase and 19 meters for each 1 mph increase in speed limit. Strong positive relationships were indicated by correlation coefficients, and statistical tests verified the significance of both variables (p < .01). These results, showing that road features directly affect wildlife movement patterns, agree with earlier studies on road ecology and avoidance behaviors in large mammals. Understanding the relationship between roads and wildlife allows for better infrastructure planning, such as optimizing lane numbers and speed limits to reduce indirect ecological effects. Limitations include a small sample size and reliance on digital data. Future research could include diverse species, in-field measurements, and more sophisticated predictive models to improve conservation strategies and REZ estimates.

Location

Furman Hall 209

Start Date

3-28-2026 9:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 9:45 AM

The Effect of Speed Limit and Road Width on the Road Effect Zone of Roe Deer

Furman Hall 209

The road effect zone (REZ) is the area where animal behavior is changed due to both direct and indirect ecological effects of roads. This study examines the relationship of speed limit and road width on REZ of roe deer through eight roads in central California. Zone of influence (ZOI) calculations, traffic noise measurements (drawn from existing literature), and statistical analyses such as Pearson's correlation and linear regression were used to examine data from these roads. The distance at which traffic noise returned to a baseline of 40 dB, representing typical roe deer habitat conditions, was used to calculate the ZOI. Results showed that both speed limit and road width had a positive correlation with the ZOI, with road width showing a stronger effect. Linear regression determined that the REZ was extended by roughly 78.5 meters for each lane increase and 19 meters for each 1 mph increase in speed limit. Strong positive relationships were indicated by correlation coefficients, and statistical tests verified the significance of both variables (p < .01). These results, showing that road features directly affect wildlife movement patterns, agree with earlier studies on road ecology and avoidance behaviors in large mammals. Understanding the relationship between roads and wildlife allows for better infrastructure planning, such as optimizing lane numbers and speed limits to reduce indirect ecological effects. Limitations include a small sample size and reliance on digital data. Future research could include diverse species, in-field measurements, and more sophisticated predictive models to improve conservation strategies and REZ estimates.