About

  1. The Problem being solved: Several wild animals are getting killed on highways and in hilly areas with forests on either sides of the roads due to vehicles and also humans are facing attacks from these animals. We are trying to prevent these occurrences (road kills). 2. Statistics and evidences of the problem: According to a survey conducted during January, 2007 and June, 2007, a total of 423 animals were killed which belonged to 29 different species on NH212 and NH67. 3. Current Solutions to the problem: • Wild life crossings involve allowing animals to travels over or underneath roads (prevalent in US and Canada). • Another existing solution in use by the US is Roadway Animal Detection System (RADS).A solar powered sensor can detect large animals such as deer, bear, elk, and moose near the roadway, and thereafter flash a light to alert oncoming drivers. • Fencing is another solution. • Reflective solution. Some animals’ horns are sprayed with reflective paint to help drivers see them in the dark. 4. Solution to the problem: We intend to put up sensors on the sides of the roads in order to the highway and there is a vehicle approaching, a group of LED bulbs glow to notify the vehicle about the animal activity so that the vehicle can slow down and hence avoid hitting the animal. 5. Way the solution is different from existing: • Fences are not placed at all the areas and at some places, fences fail to stop the bigger animals and thus get damaged. • Wild life crossings such as bridges and underground tunnels are not prevalent in India and even if they are used, they can be placed only at some places and not throughout the highway; the present solution can be implemented throughout the highway, in forest areas. • The RADS technology is not implemented in our country. 6. Key features of our solution: • Our solution covers all highways and railways (future scope) through forests. • It prevents the speeding vehicles on the highways from hitting the animals which are in the vicinity. • Helps in preserving ecological balance and saving endangered species. • Helps in protecting the people passing through roads in forests or hilly areas. 7. User Survey: • Users of this system are the forest departments. • Hence, we have reached out to some forest officials, people of NGOs and Wild Life conservation. • We spoke to Mr.Mallikarjun Rao (IFS) (APCCF, Wild Life), he said the idea can be implemented but he wasn’t aware of the technology and hence advised us to consult people having a good technology knowledge. • We were referred to Mr.Imraan Siddiqui, Co-Founder of Hyticos, he said that the idea was worth a shot, and agreed to give us a block of forest area as the primary implementation idea. • However, Mr. Mallikarjun Rao remarked that the Government would not be ready sanction funds unless the system turns out to be successful. • We also spoke to ARPF volunteer Mr. Nihar who pointed out some flaws in the idea, which we have rectified. 8. Key technologies used in the solution: • Motion Sensors that use passive infra-red rays (PIR) – to detect the animal activity and the vehicle movement. • Arduino expansion board/ Micro controller chips – to enable signal receiving and processing. • RF trans receivers – to enable data transfers. • LED Lights – to help notify the drivers about the animal activity. 9. Statistics or reports that justify the solution: According to a survey conducted during January, 2007 and June, 2007, a total of 423 animals were killed which belonged to 29 different species on NH212 and NH67. 10. Hardware/Software requirement for the solution: • Arduino Nano/PIC microcontroller chips (PIC16F887/PIC16F877A/PIC16F877B) • RF Trans receivers • PIR sensors • LED lights 11. Total Cost of Ownership of the solution: The solution costs around Rs.700 per unit(including one microcontroller chip, one Bluetooth module,3 PIR sensors, one 3V Li-battery and some wiring equipment), accounting to about 1 lakh per kilometer. 12. Strategy for getting the customers : • Animal savior is for the forest departments and private organizations. It is not hard to convince them about our idea as the problem is evident and the need for some solution is definitely in place. Therefore, we wish to discuss the technology and cost of the solution with them. • It is important to note that the cost will significantly decrease in future but the problem can only increase. We will a deep discussion about the existing solutions and how ours is different from them.

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