A new report by New Zealand Transport Agency draws on research from the Transport Research Centre (CDV), showing how Czech expertise supports safer transport infrastructure and biodiversity protection through evidence-based solutions.
How can transport infrastructure be designed to improve safety not only for road users but also for wildlife? This question is explored in a new research report published by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, which reviews current knowledge on bird–vehicle collisions and proposes evidence-based approaches to reducing their impacts.
The publication builds on the long-term research of experts from the Transport Research Centre (CDV), Czech Republic. Prof. Michal Bíl served as the international peer reviewer of the report, while numerous scientific publications authored by researchers from CDV were referenced throughout the study, particularly in the areas of spatial analysis of wildlife–vehicle collisions, identification of collision hotspots, and the application of geographic information systems in transport planning.
The report highlights that improving transport safety and protecting biodiversity are closely interconnected goals. Effective mitigation measures require reliable data, advanced spatial analyses and interdisciplinary cooperation—an approach that has long been central to CDV's research activities.
Among its recommendations, the report outlines best practices for monitoring bird–vehicle collisions, identifying high-risk locations, and implementing mitigation measures ranging from vegetation management and warning signage to integrating wildlife collision risks into transport planning and environmental assessments.
The inclusion of Czech research in an official report prepared for New Zealand's national transport authority demonstrates the international relevance of long-term, evidence-based research. It also reflects the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in developing transport systems that are safer, more resilient and environmentally responsible.