This Simple Roadside System Helps Keep Animals Safe Without Sensors

A thoughtful roadside system in Japan offers a new way to keep both drivers and animals out of harm’s way.

On rural roads across Japan, animal-vehicle collisions are an ongoing safety concern. These accidents can be devastating for wildlife and dangerous for drivers, especially in forested areas where visibility is limited. To help address the issue, Nissan and its creative agency partner TBWA\HAKUHODO have introduced a pilot project called AnimaLert. It’s a sound-based system designed to gently redirect animals away from traffic, using cues inspired by nature.

How the System Works Without Startling Wildlife

AnimaLert uses sound-emitting roadside devices adapted from the same pedestrian alert system found in Nissan’s electric vehicles. These devices emit carefully selected sounds — such as bird calls or natural predator cues — designed to shift animal attention and encourage movement toward safer terrain. The goal isn’t to scare animals, but to give them a natural prompt to pause and turn around before stepping into the road.

Why Acoustic Ecology Matters Here

This approach is rooted in acoustic ecology, a field that studies how living things interact with their sound environment. By using insights from local wildlife research, the system plays audio cues that are likely to be noticed by native species. It’s a quiet, low-impact way to guide behavior, offering a different kind of roadside safety — one that listens more than it shouts.

Early Signs of Positive Impact

While official data hasn’t been released, early feedback from pilot areas suggests the system could help reduce wildlife encounters on certain stretches of road. Locals have noted fewer animal sightings along the test routes, and Nissan’s team sees potential in expanding the system’s reach. If the early response holds true, AnimaLert could offer a useful model for other regions facing similar challenges.

A Simpler, Gentler Path to Road Safety

What makes AnimaLert interesting isn’t just the technology — it’s the mindset. Instead of relying on loud deterrents, fencing, or high-tech sensors, it leans into simplicity. The system doesn’t need to track animals or react to traffic in real-time. Instead, it uses location-based sound in a way that respects the natural rhythm of the land it’s built on.

A Different Kind of Innovation

Automakers often focus on speed, performance, or entertainment. But here, Nissan is showing that innovation can also mean protecting the world around us. AnimaLert encourages a new kind of thinking — one where cars and wildlife don’t have to be at odds. It’s a reminder that technology, when guided by empathy and insight, can serve more than just the driver.