Abstract

The human-machine interface (HMI) of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Main Control Room (MCR) is complex. Understanding HMI factors that influence Reactor Operator (RO) performance and workload when controlling an NPP is important. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began a program of research known as the Human Performance Test Facility (HPTF) with the goal of collecting human performance data to better understand cognitive and physical elements that support safe control room operation. The HPTF team developed an experimental methodology to evaluate workload using perceived ratings, performance measures, and physiological correlates. This methodology focuses on tasks commonly performed during operations in an NPP. These tasks include monitoring plant parameters, following defined procedures, and manipulating controls to change the state of the NPP. O'Hara and colleagues developed a framework for task classification. Reinerman-Jones and colleagues modified this framework such that monitoring and detection are separate task types. The task types (i.e., checking, detection, and response implementation) selected for experimentation are composed of steps within defined operating procedures that are rule-based. Testing workload using sufficient numbers of ROs is impractical due to limited availability. The HPTF has developed the "equal but different" principle. This principle attempts to simplify complex tasks, such that novices can perform them and experience equivalent workload trends as an expert would when performing the original task. The validity of using the "equal but different" principle with novices in place of experts is uncertain. This research addresses this uncertainty by comparing novices and experts using the "equal but different" principle. Novices performed four tasks within each of the three task types using a simplified Instrument and Control (I&C) panel and a reduced 3-way communication instruction set. Experts performed the same four tasks within each task type with a fully configured I&C panel and a complete 3-way instruction set. Overall, the experts across the three task types tended to rate level of perceived workload lower than novices. However, experts also rated themselves as performing worse for the three task types than novices. Experts performed better than novices when it came to identifying correct I&C; however, their 3-way communication performance was worse. Physiological measures from EEG between the two groups were not statistically different. ECG findings did show a slight difference. The methodology and associated findings has applicability for MCR designs and regulation recommendations. Novice populations are easier to access than experts and the present research shows that when properly designed, novices can serve in complex operator positions.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2017

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Reinerman, Lauren

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Industrial Engineering and Management Systems

Degree Program

Industrial Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0006946

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0006946

Language

English

Release Date

November 2022

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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