Task analysis of soft control operations using simulation data in nuclear power plants

Abstract

Soft control is one of the major characteristics of advanced main control rooms (MCRs) in nuclear power plants, which have been recently developed using digital and computer technologies. Various kinds of advanced MCR designs have been proposed with their own features, and every design has advantageous and disadvantageous effects on operator performance. In this work, to observe operator behaviors using soft controls, the simulation data were analyzed. The analysis results showed that the interface management tasks occupy a large portion compared to the primary tasks in providing control inputs to the devices. These additional tasks required for performing an operation cause further possibility of human errors. Therefore, it is necessary to design an interface that can optimize the additional tasks for preventing errors. Through human error analyses for interface designs, a more human error preventive design is achievable. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.