Overview
- The Protective Animal Warning System (PAWS) will operate on a 300‑metre stretch of the Monaro Highway at Michelago from August as a short trial to test effectiveness.
- PAWS uses thermal and optical roadside cameras and an AI computer‑vision model to identify kangaroos, wombats and deer and trigger illuminated signs that flash ‘Animal on road slow down’ in real time.
- Local volunteer rescuers call the site a wildlife hot spot and say animal strikes there impose heavy costs, with rescues costing about $1,200 and volunteers spending large hours on response.
- Transport for NSW developed the AI in house using footage and animal data from Symbio Wildlife Park and invested about A$500,000 in building and testing the system.
- Transport for NSW will track reductions in wildlife strikes, motorist response and cost‑effectiveness and stakeholders have flagged possible rollout to other hotspots and future in‑car alert integration if the system proves successful.