The neurocognitive test field was jointly founded in 2015 by the Systems Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Unit (SNN-Unit, Prof. Dr. Dr. Daniel J. Strauss) and the Research Group Traffic Telematics (FGVT, Prof. Dr. Horst Wieker) in Merzig/Saar.

The test field combines modern traffic telematics communication structures with dual neurocognitive monitoring, i.e. suitable for drivers and passengers. This makes it possible to measure and analyse attention and emotions in real, pre-classified driving sections ‘out-of-lab’ according to their complexity. The analysis techniques allow an objective and differentiated multimodal estimation of the cognitive effort caused by the senses during driving. In this way, the individual HMI modalities can be evaluated and optimized objectively, i.e. metrologically. The integration into the ITS test field Merzig (ITeM) enables the neurocognitive test field to access the possibilities of the current state of research in cooperative traffic telematics (C-ITS). In this way, the effects of the latest telematics-supported applications, such as traffic light information systems, electronic brake lights or false driver warnings, on the driver can be observed.

This will pursue a new approach to traffic telematics based on the neurocognitive assessment of road users (car drivers/passengers and pedestrians) outside laboratory situations using EEG methods.