### Addressing Colorado’s Roadkill Dilemma: How Four Engineers Are Utilizing AI to Protect Lives
Colorado is famous for its stunning scenery, ranging from thick forests to majestic peaks, making it a sought-after spot for nature lovers. However, this state’s scenic allure brings with it a serious drawback: a disturbingly elevated number of collisions involving wildlife. Annually, thousands of accidents happen due to animals such as deer and elk straying onto roadways, resulting in injuries, tragic fatalities, and substantial property damage amounting to millions. Currently, four computer science engineers in Colorado are devising a groundbreaking approach to confront this challenge directly: **Project Deer**, an AI-enhanced system for detecting animals, aimed at preventing wildlife collisions.
#### The Extent of the Issue
As reported by the Colorado Department of Transportation, close to 4,000 accidents occur each year due to wildlife, leading to an estimated **$80 million** in property loss. The extensive road network throughout the state, which often traverses forests, mountainous areas, and locations near ski resorts, becomes a prime area for wildlife crossings. These incidents jeopardize human safety while also imposing a hefty toll on local wildlife populations.
Although measures such as wildlife passages and warning signage have been introduced, they have failed to sufficiently mitigate the increasing volume of incidents. That’s where **Project Deer** steps in, providing a technologically driven remedy to a longstanding problem.
#### What Is Project Deer?
**Project Deer** is a compact, AI-driven device developed to identify animals, especially deer, in a vehicle’s trajectory. The device alerts the driver, granting them sufficient time to evade a potential collision. The primary aim is to lessen the frequency of accidents triggered by wildlife crossing roads, thus safeguarding both human and animal lives.
What distinguishes **Project Deer** from other detection methods is its implementation of **artificial intelligence** (AI) to interpret thermal images of animals. Unlike conventional systems that depend solely on cameras to detect wildlife, this AI-centric model is capable of identifying animals even in low visibility scenarios, such as nighttime or fog. By detecting the heat signature of fauna, the system can offer more precise and prompt alerts to motorists.
#### How It Operates
The device employs a blend of **thermal imaging** and **machine learning algorithms** to observe animals in real-time. Thermal imaging enables the system to “detect” the heat emitted by animals, even in total darkness or when obscured by foliage. The AI model subsequently evaluates these thermal images to ascertain the presence of an animal and its proximity to the vehicle.
Once an animal is identified, the system promptly notifies the driver, who can then react accordingly. Future versions might integrate this technology with a vehicle’s braking system for automatic braking to avert collisions. Auto manufacturers and suppliers are already looking into a requirement that would mandate vehicles to incorporate animal detection and automatic braking features by **2029**.
#### Why AI Is Revolutionary
The integration of AI into **Project Deer** represents a major leap forward compared to traditional animal detection systems. While cameras can experience interference from darkness, fog, or other environmental considerations, thermal imaging stands out as far more dependable when detecting animals under adverse conditions. The AI model continuously adapts and enhances its recognition of various animal species, thereby becoming increasingly effective.
Furthermore, AI processes information significantly quicker than human drivers, facilitating swifter responses. This could be particularly advantageous in high-speed scenarios where even the slightest delay might determine whether a collision is avoided or leads to a serious incident.
#### The Potential Consequences
If successful, **Project Deer** could dramatically lower the occurrence of wildlife-related accidents in Colorado and similar regions. By alerting drivers in real-time about animals in their path, this system has the potential to save lives, decrease injuries, and avert expensive property damages.
The engineers involved in the project project that the device could eventually be available as a third-party accessory for vehicles, priced between **$1,000 and $2,000**. While this might appear costly, it is a fraction of the price of purchasing a new vehicle outfitted with comparable technology. Additionally, the expense of the device is minor when weighed against the potential savings in medical costs, vehicle repairs, and insurance premiums that could be achieved by avoiding accidents.
#### A Move Toward Safer Roads
The launch of **Project Deer** coincides with significant advancements in AI across various sectors, including automobile safety. As AI continues to evolve, we may witness even more advanced systems capable of not just detecting animals but also anticipating their movements and executing preemptive measures to avert collisions.
This technology could prove especially advantageous in states like Colorado, where wildlife is prevalent and roadways frequently intersect animal habitats. By mitigating the number of incidents involving wildlife, **Project Deer** may also contribute to the preservation of local ecosystems by preventing unnecessary animal fatalities.
#### Looking Ahead
Although **Project Deer** remains in the development phase, its promise of saving lives and decreasing accidents is evident.
