Investigation of Swareflex Wildlife Warning Reflectors

摘要

The rise in the number of vehicle-deer accidents has increased the need for an effective means of keeping deer off of roadways when vehicles are present. This project evaluates the effectiveness of Swareflex Warning Reflectors. These red reflectors are claimed to frighten deer from the highway when illuminated by headlights of a passing vehicle. They are effective, the manufacturer argues, because deer are innately afraid of red. The research was conducted in two Phases. In Phase I the spectral sensitivity of the white-tailed deer was evaluated. The purpose was to understand some basic aspects of color vision in the white-tailed deer, since the color of the reflector was argued to be the reason for its effectiveness.