Systematic layout planning in human–system interface: An evaluation of alarm displays with spatial proximity for accidents diagnosis of advanced boiling water reactor

• This study adopts SLP with PCP to design the layout of alarms.
• Alarms related to the same AOP should be laid within the vicinity of each other.
• The method of SLP is suggested in the design of the layout of alarms.

To ensure safety in nuclear power plants, this study investigated the interface design of a digital alarm system by analyzing the diagnosing process of operating information. This study focused on the layout planning of alarm windows and followed proximity compatibility principle and nuclear human–system interface design review guidelines to improve the human–system interface. This study adopt systematic layout planning to modify the design of alarm windows. The time of alarm handling, and accuracy, as well as human reliability were evaluated to compare the original layout with the improved one. In the end, according to the results of the comparison, an alternative alarm window layout human–system interface, which fits diagnosing process, is suggested.Relevance to industryThe similar layout planning process could be applied to design control centers in high reliability organizations, in particular which need decision-making by person.