Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Research Project Statement 17-94
FY 2017 Annual Program
Title:
Incorporating Wildlife Crossings into TxDOT's Project Development, Design and Operations
Processes (Deliverable Based)
The Problem:
This project will examine TxDOT’s current practices in relation to the national guidelines and
make recommendations on how to systematically incorporate these design practices into TxDOT
projects. The low permeability of transportation infrastructure to wildlife brings the travelling
public into conflict with animals. This conflict results in harm to both road users and wildlife. The
harm can be costly in terms of damage to vehicles, loss of life of people and wildlife, and
improving or retrofitting facilities to avoid these adverse interactions. If the wildlife involved is
endangered, then these costs can escalate rapidly (e.g., SH 100 in Pharr District). In recent
years, TRB and FHWA have published national guidelines for crossing structures, data
collection, and fencing. These design recommendations have yet to be adopted by Texas, but
have been adopted by other state DOTs.
Technical
Objectives:
This project will deliver suggested updates and additions for implementing FHWA and AASHTO
recommendations for incorporating wildlife crossings into to TxDOT’s manuals and
documentation. This will be undertaken by reviewing available national research and finding out
how this will apply to Texas. This project will synthesize TxDOT’s institutional knowledge and
undertake reviews to compare TxDOT’s efforts to other state DOT and FHWA recommendations,
to determine which practices for initial design and retrofitting will work best in the context of
Texas’ unique natural diversity and transportation infrastructure. The project will then identify
appropriate techniques for different species in different Texas biogeographic contexts, and
provide the costs and benefits. Overall, the research will:
1. Synthesize existing reports and recommendations that are likely to apply to TxDOT’s project
development, design and operations manuals and guidance documents.
2. Correlate specific Texas needs with the TRB findings on crossing structures.
3. Assess where manual and document changes would have the highest likelihood for
successful creation and operation of reasonable and effective wildlife crossing structures.
4. Develop suggested language and graphics for particular updates and additions.
Desired
Deliverables:
1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
2. Research report documenting work accomplished and results achieved.
3. White Paper for use by decision makers within TxDOT, as well as fully annotated excerpts
from manuals and documentation showing the recommended additions and updates.
Proposal
Requirements:
1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University
Handbook).
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical
evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in
RTI’s University Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should
include project name and university abbreviation.
Project Statement 17-94
Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Pre-Proposal
Meeting
Information:
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Webex Information:
1. Go to
https://txdot.webex.com/mw0401lsp13/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=txdot&rnd=0.9091095085622
569
2. Meeting Number: 735 915 144
3. If requested, enter your name and email address.
4. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: FY 17
5. Click "Join".
Teleconference Information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you
can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-637-1408 (US)
Conference Code: 951 211 7290
Notifying RTI of
Intent to
Propose:
Notify your University Liaison of your intent to submit a proposal. Your Liaison will provide
information regarding the RFP.
Proposal
Deadline:
Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, April 14, 2016. Email
submissions should be sent to rtimain@txdot.gov.
Project Statement 17-94