The Smart Botts' Dot

According to the Department of Transportation, over 1,000,000 large animals and countless smaller animals die on U.S. roadways every year.  An alarming number of human deaths and injuries along with billions of dollars in property damage are also caused by animals in the roadway. In rural states, wildlife vs. vehicle crashes represent over 20% of reported collisions. The economic, physical and emotional losses have long been a problem waiting for a solution. Finally, the solution is here.

The “Smart Botts’ Dot” (S.B.D.) is the latest improvement to the existing reflective traffic safety device that CalTrans engineer Elbert Dysart Botts began testing in 1955.  Using currently available technology, the S.B.D. will alert drivers of the presence of wildlife in or near the roadway by flashing warning lights. It will also emit sound deterrents that can be programmed to be audible to wildlife alone, or humans as well.

     Future designs can be programed to help influence animals towards safer wildlife crossings along with the ability to upload statistics for traffic safety research. This is valuable when monitoring the problem of migration patterns that cross roadways.

When triggered, the SBD flashes warning lights to alert approaching vehicles of the hazard and emits a frequency of “noise” that’s known to repel animals. It is triggered by the heat signature & motion of wildlife in combination with the sound, vibration and or headlights of approaching vehicles. It can also be programmed to be triggered by animals of any size range, mammals or reptiles. The SBD is battery operated and solar charged.

A special project of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), the NCHRP Highway IDEA Program seeks proposals on innovative concepts, which if proven feasible, have the potential to significantly advance the state of the art and practice of the nation’s highway systems. The program is sponsored by the state departments of transportation (DOTs) through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and guided by an oversight panel of experts from state DOTs, academia, and the private sector who volunteer their time and effort. The panel reviews proposals twice a year and selects the most promising ones that meet the program’s proposal selection criteria.

Click the link below to learn more.

https://www.trb.org/IDEAProgram/IDEAHighway.aspx