Power plant simulators: Data collection and insights from data

Abstract

The paper is mainly concerned with the uses of simulators for training of Main Control Room (MCR) crews and the role of data in the improvement in the quality of control room personnel and quality of training programs. In the authors' opinion training departments should be committed to the continuous improvement in both. The collection and analysis of the data relating to crew responses during simulated accidents can be used to better understand the influences that can lead to errors. In turn, the resulting information can be part of the Human Reliability Assessment (HRA) process, so then the Probabilistic Risk Assessments (PRA) will reflect the actual crews' performance rather than some anonymous generic crew.To provide a background to the field of simulator data collection, the paper covers some of the developments in simulator technology from the early simulators to the later more sophisticated units. The use of simulators in the training of control room crews was strongly affected by the Three Mile Unit #2 accident. One of the steps taken in training improvements is use of the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT). Amongst other things SAT emphasizes the function of feedback from simulator training as a way to identify performance deficiencies and excellent performance of MCR crews.The paper discusses the need for good data collection systems for both MCR crew performance improvement but also for monitoring the health of the Training program. The paper describes the purpose of data collection, a design of an advanced data collection and analysis system along with data collected during the course of simulator sessions. The paper touches on the use of data for HRA purposes and finishes with some comments and conclusions on data collection and its uses.