Wildalert: a sustainable solar-powered infrared sensor-system for animal roadkill hotspots

Animal-vehicle collisions are a significant nationwide concern in Malaysia, particularly during low-light hours when visibility is severely limited. Recent statistics reveal that between 2016 and 2021, Malaysia recorded approximately 2562 wildlife roadkill incidents, with a high frequency of Malayan tapir deaths occurring at night. These incidents often lead to severe human casualties and property damage. WildAlert aims to reduce these collisions and protect biodiversity in line with SDG 15: Life on Land by providing a sustainable, solar-powered warning system. The project utilizes a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor for motion detection and a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) to ensure the system only activates in low-light conditions. The system triggers visual (LED) and audio (buzzer) alerts, powered by solar panels with battery storage for remote operation. Secondary findings indicate that similar detection systems can reduce vehicle speeds by 3.82 km/h to 4.80 km/h, significantly decreasing accident rates. WildAlert holds strong commercial potential through proposed IoT integration for real-time monitoring and collaborations with navigation apps like Waze to provide instant road hazard notifications for stakeholders such as JKR and PERHILITAN.