UMass professors of engineering Shannon Roberts and Anuj Pradhan are working towards teaching teens driving safety. Research is being conducted through a series of training programs at UMass' Human Performance Lab, Toyota Risk-ATTEND programs, and high-tech eye tracking glasses.
Connecticut Department of Transportation is researching road marking and retro reflectivity with a brand-new pickup truck that collects data from highway lines. The vehicle is equipped with strobes, cameras, and sensors that allow it to determine which lines need to be repainted. Dr. Eric Jackson from UConn serves as the site director within the NEUTC consortium.
Researchers from UMass are studying road safety with drones in Somerville, a projected being funded by NEUTC. Leading the research effort is Dr. Eleni Christofa, a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.
NEUTC Professor Thad Miller’s article, “Planning for Uncertain Transportation Futures”, examines how Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the U.S. address the challenges of emerging transportation technologies and growing uncertainties. It highlights the critical role of adaptive transport planning and anticipatory governance in preparing regional transportation systems for future needs.
This year's challenge focused on "Innovations to Improve the Nighttime Visibility of Traffic Control Devices," a crucial area in traffic safety engineering.