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A Review of Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions: A Multidisciplinary Path to Sustainable Transportation and Wildlife Protection

Author

Listed:
  • Linas Balčiauskas

    (State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Andrius Kučas

    (State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Laima Balčiauskienė

    (State Scientific Research Institute Nature Research Centre, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

This review synthesizes historical and contemporary research on wildlife–vehicle collisions and roadkill, outlining its evolution from early documentation to modern road ecology. It discusses how early efforts in North America and Europe that quantified animal casualties and developed standardized methodologies formed current studies that use advanced geospatial tools, citizen science, and artificial intelligence to analyze spatiotemporal patterns. We examine key ecological, methodological, and economic impacts of roadkill on wildlife populations and human safety, highlighting the role of road density, vehicle speed, and seasonal factors. The framework presented also underscores a commitment to sustainability by integrating environmental conservation with infrastructural development and socio-economic resilience. The review details various mitigation strategies, from fencing and wildlife crossings to dynamic signage, and evaluates their effectiveness in reducing mortality rates, thereby supporting sustainable development in transportation infrastructure and wildlife management. It also identifies research gaps and outlines future directions, advocating for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to improve wildlife conservation, infrastructure planning, and public awareness in the context of rapidly expanding road networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Linas Balčiauskas & Andrius Kučas & Laima Balčiauskienė, 2025. "A Review of Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions: A Multidisciplinary Path to Sustainable Transportation and Wildlife Protection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-31, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4644-:d:1658892
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salvini, Pericle & Kunze, Lars & Jirotka, Marina, 2024. "On self-driving cars and its (broken?) promises. A case study analysis of the German Act on Autonomous Driving," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Ascensão, Fernando & Clevenger, Anthony & Santos-Reis, Margarida & Urbano, Paulo & Jackson, Nathan, 2013. "Wildlife–vehicle collision mitigation: Is partial fencing the answer? An agent-based model approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 257(C), pages 36-43.
    3. Sungwon Hong & Hee-Bok Park & Mihyun Kim & Hyo Gyeom Kim, 2022. "History and Future Challenges of Roadkill Research in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Tzu-Ming Liu, 2025. "Using Snake Roadkill Patterns to Indicate Effects of Climate Change on Snakes in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Minkyung Kim & Sangdon Lee, 2023. "Identification of Emerging Roadkill Hotspots on Korean Expressways Using Space–Time Cubes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
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