Collisions - New Mexico Avian Protection
Transcript of Collisions - New Mexico Avian Protection
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Collisions
Biological Factors Environmental Factors Engineering Factors Minimization
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Birds can exist near power lines without significant risk of collision Problems occur in specific, localized situations where certain biological, environmental or engineering factors create a higher risk • Collision is:
– Caused by a bird running into a power line or overhead shield wire • Injury or mortality due to impact with the line, or impact with the ground after
striking the line – Collision-electrocution
• Caused by a bird flying into a power line conductor and going phase to phase – Collisions typically occur near the center of the conductor span, but can
occur anywhere along the length of the wires
Collisions
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• Avian Vision – Very different between species
• Age and Sex – Less experience or distraction
• Body Size – Large, heavy-bodied birds have
decreased maneuverability
• Behavior – Interactions within or between
species
• Flocking – Reduced ability to see obstacles
• Disease or Injury – Decreased reaction time
Biological Factors
American white pelican
Forster’s tern
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• Habitat – Lines bisecting use areas
• Land Use – Management practices
• Flight Altitude – Low daily flights
• Time of Day – Nocturnal movements
• Topography – Navigation
Environmental Factors
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• Disturbance – Activity near lines
• Weather – Reduced visibility – Wind
Environmental Factors
Note: transmission line hidden in fog
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• Conductor Diameters – Thinner wire = less visible
• Line Configuration – Vertical vs. Horizontal Design
• Structure Design – Shared ROW, Visibility of poles
Engineering Factors
Shield wires
Energized conductors
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• Lack evidence of electrocution • Location of carcass
– Physics equation velocity, angle, height
• Specific pattern of injury – Linear indentations in feather and tissue – Linear lacerations – Unilateral broken bones
• Primarily wings, furcula, coracoid, and/or sternum – Deep tissue bruising – Decapitation – Secondary injuries from falling from flight
• Ruptured mesenteries, broken legs, skull fractures • Evidence of scavenging
*MBTA Protections* – Permit or oversight from Law Enforcement Officer needed before handling birds
Evidence of Collision
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• Route Selection for New Lines – Co-location with existing lines – Consider habitat, bird use areas, land
use, structure design, etc., when siting new lines to avoid collision risks
– Use vegetation, topography, or man-made structures to shield lines (consult with engineers & foresters to prevent line maintenance and reliability problems due to trees)
Collision Minimization
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• Habitat and land use modification for existing lines – Very difficult due to nature of ROW “ownership” – Modify habitats near power lines to reduce attractiveness to birds
• Work with land owners on crop rotations, haying, grazing, etc.
– Modify land use to minimize human activity and disturbance near lines • Decreased access to roads, development of educational materials (company and
public), signage
Collision Minimization
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• Marking lines – Purpose is to increase the visibility of the line – Varying effectiveness in different studies – May decrease but not eliminate collision risks
Collision Minimization
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• Static Devices – Aviation marker balls – Coils on wire
• Dynamic Devices – Clamp-on – Hanging
• Conductor Diameter – Bundled conductor – Covered conductor
Types of Marking Devices
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• Pros – 40-90% Reduction – Low maintenance – Durable – Injectable color – Minimal human visibility
Static Devices
• Cons – Labor intensive to install – Possible wind or ice loading
issues – Minimal human visibility – Cannot be used on voltages
over 230 kV
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• Pros – 60-90% Reduction – Hot stick installation – Incorporate movement – Some glow-in-the-dark – High human visibility
Dynamic Devices
• Cons – Moving parts shorten
durability on some products – High human visibility – Cannot be used on voltages
over 230 kV – May void warranty on
OPGW
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• Pros – Permanent installation – No added equipment – Increased reliability – Can help with brush-by contact
(trees or mid-span electrocution)
– Useful at higher voltages
Conductor Diameter
• Cons – Unpublished Reduction – Covered conductor may
require re-conductoring – May alter structure type – May not be considered by
regulatory agencies as minimization
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• Static or Conductor? – Voltage – Target species
• Spacing – Staggered – In-line
• Accessibility – Conductor height – Site conditions under line
Device Installation Considerations
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• Wind and ice loading • Weight
– Stagger products on alternating lines
• Colors may fade – Unknown if this impacts effectiveness
• Vandalism • Durability • Ease of installation • Effectiveness
• View shed concerns • Voltage rating of product
Additional Considerations When Marking Lines
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Line markers reduce but do not eliminate collision risk! • Land Uses or Changes
– Work with land owners and agency folks to minimize proposed land uses or changes that are incompatible with existing power lines
• Identified Problematic Lines – Repeat offenders may need to be relocated or reconfigured
• Burying Lines – Cost increases and feasibility decreases as voltages increase – Requires specific polyethylene cables (or oil filled conduits), splice vaults, trenches, specialized backfill, and the ability to rip it all back up to fix any issues – More details in the Construction section
Collision Reduction
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• Sage-grouse and Interstate Transmission Line Siting – Avoidance, predation and habitat fragmentation research – Development of interim BMPs
• Whooping Cranes and Interstate Transmission Lines – Collision risk assessments
• Prairie Chickens and Energy Development – Possible listing, avoidance and habitat fragmentation research
• Transmission construction - new – Siting, design, BMPs and avoidance
• Final Eagle Take Permit Rule – Guidance for compensatory mitigation and pole retrofit
Emerging Siting and Collision Issues