Type:

CGAR Active

Project Area:

Project Status:

Active

Project Title:

Automated Laser-Based Bird Dispersion System

Sponsoring Organization:

Research Team Lead or Point of Contact:

James Dunlop

Research Team Lead or Point of Contact Email:

dunlop@aero.und.edu

Abstract (Brief Description of Research Project Initiative including Past Accomplishments):

This research project will test the feasibility of utilizing automated laser systems for wildlife abatement of waterfowl near the Grand Forks, North Dakota International Airport. The results of this research may make aviation safer by greatly decreasing bird strikes around airports. The Grand Forks International Airport proposed this project to the FAA because of a waterfowl trouble area near the airport. Since the University of North Dakota's (UND) John D. Odegard School for Aerospace Sciences is based at this airport, it seems appropriate for UND to do research on alternative methods of wildlife abatement in an effort to decrease bird strikes at the Grand Forks Airport as well as airports with similar problems. The concept is to use a laser (Avian Dissuader) in an automated system. The hand held version of this product has proven effective on a small scale, shown through FAA testing. An Avian Dissuader is a low powered laser that, when shined at the waterfowl or reflected off of the water, causes annoyance to the birds and, thus, forces them to leave. The hand held version has been proven to work on small areas.

Description of Proposed Activities:

This research will require the use of SEA Tech's Avian Dissuader (SEA Tech, 5651-B Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87190) laser to deter birds from a five hundred yard quarter circle area of one of the Grand Forks sewage treatment ponds. Thus, an area will be marked off and observed where the laser is located. A marked section of the same pond will be used as the control area. A count of bird activity will be made once a week visually by the research assistant and once a day via webcam. The webcam will be maintained throughout the months of March through May for the spring migratory season and September through November for the fall season. Required completion time will be 15 months (one complete migratory cycle, one south and one north) for a complete analysis of the systems' effectiveness.

Objectives/Outcomes/Benefits:

Approach/Statement of Work:

List of Tasks: - Prototype of Automated Dissuader shall be made - Prototype of Automated Dissuader shall be installed - Meeting with Mr. George Johnson from SEA Tech to learn of operations of the equipment and how to maintain it - Webcam shall be purchased and installed - Test runs shall be completed - Research design shall be made and maintained for both the control area and the research area once the research is started - Bird counts shall be made and maintained for both the control area and the research area once the research is started - Server space for webcam operation shall be obtained - Quarterly reports shall be made to the FAA - Conclusions shall be drawn - A final report shall be submitted to the FAA Expectations: The expected results of the research are that the waterfowl will be forced out of the approximately 500 yard radius from the Dissuader and will remain clear of this area.