In these peri-urban areas, higher human densities are often coupled with higher traffic volumes and road densities, which increase the likelihood of wildlife coming into contact with roads and vehicles, and therefore the risk of wildlife–vehicle collisions. One such interaction that is particularly conspicuous is the wildlife–vehicle collisions that often occur in urban areas, especially where habitat remnants are still present in the landscape or the urbanised edge is expanding into rural or natural landscapes. Wildlife–human interactions can occur frequently in urban environments, particularly at the front of urban sprawl expansion. Extensive field trials of various sign designs are needed to further this research into optimizing wildlife warning sign designs. Animal-activated and vehicle speed-activated signs were ranked very highly by participants. The messages conveyed by these signs and their prominent features were explored.

Drivers’ responses to the eight signs were scaled separately at three speed limits and participants indicated the sign to which they were most likely to respond. The presence of temporal specifications and an updated count of road-killed animals on wildlife warning signs were assessed, as well as the position of the sign. Three currently used sign designs and five alternative sign designs were compared in the survey. This study aimed to examine and assess the opinions of drivers on wildlife warning sign designs through a public opinion survey. Improving the design of these signs to increase the likelihood of appropriate driver response has the potential to reduce the incidence of wildlife–vehicle collisions. Evidence of the effectiveness of currently used signs is rare and often indicates minimal change in driver behaviour. Wildlife warning signs are the most commonly used and widespread form of road impact mitigation, aimed at reducing the incidence of wildlife–vehicle collisions.

Funny wildlife road signs