Automation design in advanced control rooms of the modernized nuclear power plants

This study evaluated the effects of levels of automation (LOAs) decisions in advanced control rooms of the modernized nuclear power plants. Following advancements in design of digitalized human–system interfaces (HSIs), the roles of human operators have changed significantly. Negative performance and safety consequences may occur as a result of these changes. These problems are viewed as the out-of-the-loop (OOTL) performance problems. This study conducted an experiment to compare the effects of different LOAs under different operating procedures on operating performance. Experimental results indicated that blended decision-making (level 6 LOA) generates the lowest mental workload. Furthermore, the pattern of SA observed in this study is found better SA at intermediate LOA and poorer SA at low level of automation and full automation. Subjective rating results suggest that LOAs distribute the roles of option generation, and selection between human and/or computer servers which significantly impacts automated system performance. This study provides a direction for the HSI designers in nuclear power plants (NPPs). Additionally, based on results obtained by this study, the user interfaces of PCTRAN system and the alarm reset system should be improved to ensure safe operation of NPPs.