Human-System Integration
Human-system integration research concerns the integration of human
capabilities/intelligence into design of complex systems to support safe,
efficient operations. The research is mainly directed toward issues
related to technologically advanced, computer-based systems and their
effects on operating crew performance.
There are many important trends in advanced control room development, including:
- Increased automation
- Development of compact, computer-based workstations as the locus of
CR operations
- Development of intelligent operator aids based on expert systems and
other artificial intelligence-based technologies for use in tasks such
as alarm processing, diagnostics, accident management, plant monitoring,
and procedure tracking.
Related to these trends is a tremendous increase in the range of
technological approaches to developing human-system interfaces, such as
computer-based controls and graphics displays. These trends have
significant implications for plant safety in that they will affect the
role of operators in the plant, what operators will be required to know
about the plant and plant systems, and the ways in which operators
interact with such systems. The objective of the human-systems integration
research program is to evaluate these issues with respect to their effects
on crew performance and reliability, and to investigate how to best
integrate operations, testing, and maintenance personnel into advanced
systems.
For example, the following subjects are being examined in specific
research projects:
- Working with the Department of Homeland Security to develop
standardized displays and controls for the Advanced Spectroscopic
Portal, the Human Portable Radiation Detection System, and other systems
designed to detect and identify radioactive isotopes.
- Providing support to the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR)
staff with respect to the control room upgrade for the NIST research
reactor, including the development of an overall vision for the new
control room, human factors engineering plans, and a purchase
specification for the new digital Integrated Display and Control System
(ICS).
- Development of the Human Factors Engineering Program Review Model
which provides an evaluation framework and acceptance criteria for the
design process of advanced human-machine systems.
- Development of human factors guidelines for the design of
advanced
control rooms and the organization of the guidelines into an electronic document
to improve access to information and to provide additional evaluation
and report generation support functions.
- Evaluation of the effects of advanced alarm system design features
(such as processing and display methodologies) on operator performance.
- Evaluation of the impact of local control station design
characteristics on operator and plant reliability.
Last Modified: February 1, 2008
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