Exploring the Effects of Large Screen Overview Displays in a Nuclear Control Room Setting

Abstract

This paper explores the impact that large screen overview displays have on human performance in a nuclear power plant control room. We collected direct performance measures (accuracy and response time) in a full scope, digital research simulator, using a simplified task method. The participants were licensed operators who were asked to answer questions regarding process state. They provided answers in four types of trials combining two variables with two conditions each: individual or teamwork set-ups; and using the large screen display or the workstation displays to assess information. The results show that the operators were more accurate when the workstation displays were available than when the large screen display was available; there was a trend for quicker response times when the operators had the large screen available instead of the workstation displays; and finally, the operators were both most accurate and quicker responding in team conditions than individual conditions. We found an impact of the type of display on both the accuracy of the operators’ response (better in the workstation displays) and the response times (better in the large screen display). The results do not provide conclusive evidence in favor of any type of display. Performing the tasks in a team condition, however, seemed to have a systematic effect both on response time and accuracy. We close by discussing the contributions of this and describing future steps.