Improvements on Human-Machine Interface of ZPRL

Abstract

TMI accident showed that operator performance is critical to system safety. Human machine interface (HMI) is one of the factors that will affect human performance. Currently, the Instrumentation and Control (I and C) system of Zero Power Research Reactor at Lung-Tan (ZPRL) is going through an upgrading process. This I and C modernization program encompasses replacement of analog control with digital control. Computer-based HMI for nuclear systems, which consolidates data from many indicators and controls into a confined display screen estate, poses a new challenge to human-system interface designers. Therefore, the development of computer-based HMI requires a thoughtful procedure of human factors analysis, design and evaluation in order to ensure that operability and maintainability requirements are met. The purpose of this paper is to develop the HMI of ZPRL according to the human factors engineering (HFE) review guideline prescribed by NRC (such as NUREG-0711, NUREG-0800 and NUREG-5908).Through this effort, human factors requirements can be incorporated into the design of the HMI of ZPRL with the human reliability analysis (HRA). Lastly, the verification and validation (V and V) process of HMI is performed with dynamic simulation for ZPRL.