UMass Amherst researchers use drones to improve road safety in Cambridge [Video]

UMass Amherst researchers are using drones to study and improve safety measures for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on Beacon Street.Researchers from UMass Amherst and startup Mobilysis are sending hovering cameras high above Beacon Street.”We’re studying behaviors to see how we can implement as many protection layers as we can, so we can protect all users of our roadways,” said Eleni Christofa, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UMass Amherst.Christofa says they are focusing this study on the relationship between cyclists and drivers.”Additional visibility improves the awareness of drivers that there’s bicyclists there, and as I’m turning, I should probably be looking to the right to detect them,” Christofa explained.”If you have a left-hand turn stopping lane for bikes, those are of particular interest,” said Ryan Wicks from UMass Air.Researchers with Mobilysis take video from multiple drones and analyze it to see if changes need to be made.”The usage …