Tests seek to bring order to drone Wild West

Joseph Rios, NASA aerospace engineer, explains a live test of six active drones for the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management program on Oct. 19, 2016 at Reno-Stead Airport. RENO -- As increased adoption of drones raises concerns about safety, tests at a small airport in Reno this week could bring more order to the Wild West scenario seen with unmanned aerial vehicles. NASA, in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno's NUANCE Lab, held the second stage of testing Wednesday for an air traffic management system designed to coordinate multiple drones flown by different operators. Nevada is one of six official sites designated by the Federal Aviation Administration for testing unmanned aerial systems. The test of the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management, or UTM, program at the Reno-Stead Airport simulates a scenario where the system would need to make snap decisions during emergencies or unforeseen events with up to six drones flying in the immediate area.