Trends in HFE Methods and Tools and Their Applicability to Safety Reviews

O'Hara, J.M. ; Plott, C. ; Milanski, J. ; Ronan, A. ; Scheff, S. ; Laux, L. ; and Bzostek, J.

关键词: COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN;    DESIGN;    EVALUATION;    HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING;    NUCLEAR INDUSTRY;    PERFORMANCE;    REVIEWS;    SAFETY human factors engineering;    control rooms;    human-systems interfaces;    safety;    safety reviews;    design evaluation;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1013433
RP-ID  :  BNL--90424-2009
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1013433
Others  :  R&D Project: 15351
Others  :  Y-6529
Others  :  Other: 401001060
Others  :  TRN: US1102637

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) conducts human factors engineering (HFE) safety reviews of applicant submittals for new plants and for changes to existing plants. The reviews include the evaluation of the methods and tools (M&T) used by applicants as part of their HFE program. The technology used to perform HFE activities has been rapidly evolving, resulting in a whole new generation of HFE M&Ts. The objectives of this research were to identify the current trends in HFE methods and tools, determine their applicability to NRC safety reviews, and identify topics for which the NRC may need additional guidance to support the NRC's safety reviews. We conducted a survey that identified over 100 new HFE M&Ts. The M&Ts were assessed to identify general trends. Seven trends were identified: Computer Applications for Performing Traditional Analyses, Computer-Aided Design, Integration of HFE Methods and Tools, Rapid Development Engineering, Analysis of Cognitive Tasks, Use of Virtual Environments and Visualizations, and Application of Human Performance Models. We assessed each trend to determine its applicability to the NRC's review by considering (1) whether the nuclear industry is making use of M&Ts for each trend, and (2) whether M&Ts reflecting the trend can be reviewed using the current design review guidance. We concluded that M&T trends that are applicable to the commercial nuclear industry and are expected to impact safety reviews may be considered for review guidance development. Three trends fell into this category: Analysis of Cognitive Tasks, Use of Virtual Environments and Visualizations, and Application of Human Performance Models. The other trends do not need to be addressed at this time.