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New Jersey Turnpike 1999 Annual Report
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The following is an excerpt from the New Jersey Turnpike 1999 Annual Report:
Turnpike Steps Up Safety With Animal Deterrent System
The Turnpike Authority has taken steps to ensure the safety of its patrons and New Jersey's wildlife through a pilot program using the state-of-the-art Strieter-Lite Wild Animal Highway Warning Reflector System. The Authority embarked on this pilot program in mid-1999 based on a study of vehicle accidents resulting from deer attempting to cross the mainline. Installed in September 1999, the system will be evaluated over a two-year period to determine its effectiveness.
Located between Milepost 14.5 and 15.4, this system discourages deer from crossing the roadway by reflecting the headlights of oncoming vehicles onto the side of the roadway. These reflections frighten the deer and discourage them from entering the road.
The Strieter-Lite Wild Animal Warning Reflector is one of the few systems that does not affect deer migration patterns and does not present any physical barriers between the deer and their destination.
New Jersey Turnpike Authority Benefit/Cost Analysis
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Information Provided by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
Wildlife Reflectors Benefit/Cost Analysis
Anthony S. Nardone, Engineer Assistant
Benefit/Cost Analysis—20 year period
Unit cost per mile: $10,247
Annual maintenance cost: $1,255 per yr/per mile
| Costs (per 1.15 miles) | Disbenefits |
|---|---|
| Labor: $1,990 | Accidents: $5,000 each |
| Equipment: $641 | |
| Materials: $9,185 | |
| $11,816 / 1.15 miles = $10,274 per mile | |
Accidents
- Between milepost 0–95
- Based on 2 years (1997–1998)
Total number of accidents = 77
77 accidents / 2 years = 38.5 accidents/per year
38.5 accidents ($5,000) per accident = $192,500 average yearly payout for deer accidents.
Definitions
- EUAC—Equivalent Uniform Annual Cost
- P—Value or sum of money at a time denoted as the present
- A—A series of periodic, equal amounts of money
- n—Number of interest periods
- i—interest rate per interest period.
Summary
EUAC (a) = $10,274 (A/P, 6%, 20) + $1,255 = $2,150
EUAC (b) = $192,500
B/C Ratio: $192,500/2,150 = 89.5
Note: B/C > 1 Justifies Spending—B/C < 1 means that spending is not justified.
B/C Ratio Computed for Various Reductions in Accidents
100% Reduction:
$192,500/2,150=89:1
80% Reduction:
$154,000/2,150=71:1
60% Reduction:
$115,500/2,150=53:1
40% Reduction:
$77,00/2,150=35:1
New Jersey Turnpike Authority Report
Sean M. Hill, P.E., Projects Specification Engineer, New Jersey Turnpike Authority
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Reflectorized Section
September 1999–March 2001
| Location: | New Jersey Turnpike mp 14 to 15 |
| Length of Reflectorized Section: | 1.00 mile |
| Reflectors Installed: | September 1999 |
| Reflector Installation Design: | Directed across highway and staggered |
| Terrain: | Level |
| Deer-Vehicle After Dark Accident History Prior to Installation: | 19 crashes over 3 years |
| Deer-Vehicle After Dark Accident History After Installation: | 0 |
| Average Reduction: | 100% |
Reflector Purchases
| Initial Purchase | 8/99: 500 |
| Subsequent Purchases | 7/00: 100 |
