Home Technology Looking for situation awareness in nuclear power plant: uncovering information requirement and influencing factors through a goal-directed task analysis
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Looking for situation awareness in nuclear power plant: uncovering information requirement and influencing factors through a goal-directed task analysis

  • Kai Yao ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Yanglong Lu , Weicheng Zhou , Chengwen Liu , Yingying Wei , Supeng Zhou , Xu Yang and Mingyi Lu
Published/Copyright: August 29, 2025
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

Improving the level of situational awareness (SA) can effectively decrease the occurrence of human errors in nuclear power plants (NPPs). However, a significant gap exists in systematically identifying the specific information require to build SA and in quantifying the key influencing factors that influence information acquisition. To address this gap, this study proposed a mixed-methods framework to uncover SA requirements in the context of the water supply deaerator system (ADG). Firstly, this study employed Goal-Directed Task Analysis (GDTA) through interviews with experienced operators to establish a hierarchical model of SA information needs. This model was used to reveal the operator’s SA information requirement during the operation of ADG system, and the information was divided into three levels. Subsequently, the combination of the entropy weight and the coefficient of variation methods were used to determine the relative importance of SA influencing factors. This research contributes a detailed, operationalized SA information model for a specific NPPs system, and it provides an empirically-grounded basis for the targeted optimization of human-computer interface (HCI) design and operator training programs, ultimately enhancing NPPs safety.


Corresponding author: Kai Yao, School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, 222005, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China, E-mail:

Acknowledge

This study was supported by the Haizhou Bay Talent Program (No. KQ25014). The author thanks the reviewers for their valuable comments. Also, the authors are grateful to the participants who helped with the research.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study, or their legal guardians or wards.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

References

Anokhin, A., Ivkin, A., and Dorokhovich, S. (2018). Application of ecological interface design in nuclear power plant (npp) operator support system. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 50: 619–626, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2018.03.005.Search in Google Scholar

Burns, C., Jamieson, G., Skraaning, G., Lau, N., and Kwok, J. (2007). Supporting situation awareness through ecological interface design. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, Vol. 51, pp. 205–209.10.1177/154193120705100413Search in Google Scholar

Carol, L.A. (1992). Desperately seeking SA. TAC Attack (TAC SP 127-1) 32: 5–6, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA531172.pdf.Search in Google Scholar

Chuang, C.F. and Chou, H.P. (2008). Design development and implementation of the human-system interface for Lungmen nuclear project. IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 55: 2654–2661, https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.2008.2003977.Search in Google Scholar

Dalrymple, M.A. and Schiflett, S.G. (1997). Measuring situational awareness of AWACS weapons directors. Situational Awareness in the Tactical Air Environment: Augmented Proceedings of the Naval Air Warfare Center’s First Annual Symposium, CSERIAC SOAR Report# 97-01, WP-AFB: Ohio.Search in Google Scholar

Endsley, M.R. (2001). Designing for situation awareness in complex systems. In: Proceedings of the second international workshop on symbiosis of humans, artifacts and environment, Kyoto, Japan, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mica-Endsley/publication/238653506_Designing_for_situation_awareness_in_complex_system/links/542b1ada0cf29bbc126a7f35/Designing-for-situation-awareness-in-complex-system.pdf.Search in Google Scholar

Endsley, M.R. (1988). Situation awareness global assessment technique (SAGAT). In: Proceedings of the IEEE 1988 national aerospace and electronics conference, 1988. NAECON 1988. IEEE, pp. 789–795.Search in Google Scholar

Endsley, M.R. and Jones, D.G. (2012). Designing for situation awareness: an approach to user-centred design, 2nd ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.Search in Google Scholar

Endsley, M.R. (1995). Toward a theory of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Hum. Fact. 37: 32–64, https://doi.org/10.1518/001872095779049543.Search in Google Scholar

Gilson, R. (1995). Situation awareness-special issue preface. Hum. Fact. 37: 3–4, https://doi.org/10.1518/001872095779049426.Search in Google Scholar

Guo, Z., Sun, L., Zhang, H., Yuan, X., and Cui, K. (2023). Effects of video display terminal fatigue on situational awareness ability of operators and modeling study. Nucl. Eng. Des. 414: 112534, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112534.Search in Google Scholar

Hartman, B.O. and Secrist, G.E. (1991). Situational awareness is more than exceptional vision. Aviat Space Environ. Med. 62: 1084–1089.Search in Google Scholar

He, X.H. and Huang, X.R. (2007). Human reliability analysis in industrial systems: principles, methods and applications. Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, (in Chinese).Search in Google Scholar

Hsieh, M.C., Chiu, M.C., and Hwang, S.L. (2014). An interface redesign for the feed-water system of the advanced boiling water reactor in a nuclear power plant in Taiwan. J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 51: 720–729, https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2014.889584.Search in Google Scholar

Jensen, R.S. (1997). The boundaries of aviation psychology, human factors, aeronautical decision making, situation awareness, and crew resource management. Int. J. Aviat. Psychol. 7: 259–267, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327108ijap0704_1.Search in Google Scholar

Jones, D.G. and Endsley, M.R. (1995). Investigation of situation awareness errors. In: Proceedings of the 8th international symposium on aviation psychology, Columbus, OH.Search in Google Scholar

Kaber, D.B. and Endsley, M.R. (1997). Out-of-the-loop performance problems and the use of intermediate levels of automation for improved control system functioning and safety. Process Saf. Prog. 16: 126–131, https://doi.org/10.1002/prs.680160304.Search in Google Scholar

Lee, S.W., Kim, A.R., Park, J., Kang, H.G., and Seong, P.H. (2016). Measuring situation awareness of operating team in different main control room environments of nuclear power plants. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 48: 153–163, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2015.09.008.Search in Google Scholar

Lee, H.C. and Seong, P.H. (2009). A computational model for evaluating the effects of attention, memory, and mental models on situation assessment of nuclear power plant operators. Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf. 94: 1796–1805, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2009.05.012.Search in Google Scholar

Lee, S.W., Park, J., Kim, A.R., and Seong, P.H. (2012). Measuring situation awareness of operation teams in NPPs using a verbal protocol analysis. Ann. Nucl. Energy 43: 167–175, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2011.12.005.Search in Google Scholar

Li, P.C., Zhang, L., Dai, L., and Li, X. (2017a). Study on operator’s SA reliability in digital NPPs. Part 2: data-driven causality model of SA. Ann. Nucl. Energy 109: 185–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2017.05.011.Search in Google Scholar

Li, X.X., Du, J.K., and Fu, Y. (2017b). Water quality evaluation model of normal cloud based on coefficient variation and entropy weight. Water Resour. Power 10: 55–58.ChinaSearch in Google Scholar

Li, P.C., Zhang, L., Dai, L.C., and Li, X.F. (2017c). Study on operator’s SA reliability in digital NPPs. part 1: the analysis method of operator’s errors of situation awareness. Ann. Nucl. Energy 102: 168–178, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2016.12.011.Search in Google Scholar

Li, W., Zakarija, M., Yu, C., and McCarty, P. (2019). Interface design on cabin pressurization system affecting pilot’s situation awareness: the comparison between digital displays and pointed displays. Hum. Factors Ergon. Manuf. 30: 103–113, https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20826.Search in Google Scholar

Liu, Y., Jin, X., Luo, Z., Dai, L., Liu, Z., and Li, P. (2022). Methodology for dynamic reliability assessment of team situation awareness of digital nuclear power plants. Prog. Nucl. Energy 144: 104086, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.104086.Search in Google Scholar

Nazir, S., Kluge, A., and Manca, D. (2014). Automation in process industry: cure or curse? How can training improve operator’s performance. Comput. Aided Chem. Eng. 33: 889–894, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63456-6.50149-6.Search in Google Scholar

O’Hara, J.M., Higgins, J.C., and Kramer, J. (2000). Advanced information systems design: technical basis and human factors review guidance. NUREG/CR-6633, U.S. NRC, Washington, D. C.Search in Google Scholar

O’Hara, J.M., Higgins, J.C., and Brown, W. (2009). Identification and evaluation of human factors issues associated with emerging nuclear plant technology. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 41: 225–236, https://doi.org/10.5516/NET.2009.41.3.225.Search in Google Scholar

Satuf, E.N., Kaszkurewicz, E., Schirru, R., and Massa de Campos, M.C.M. (2016). Situation awareness measurement of an ecological interface designed to operator support during alarm floods. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 53: 179–192, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2016.01.002.Search in Google Scholar

Solberg, E., Nystad, E., and Mcdonald, R. (2023). Situation awareness in outage work - a study of events occurring in U.S. nuclear power plants between 2016 and 2020. Saf. Sci. 158: 105965, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105965.Search in Google Scholar

Stanton, N.A., Stewart, R., Harris, D., Houghton, R.J., Baber, C., McMaster, R., Walker, G., Young, M.S., Linsell, M., Dymott, R., et al.. (2006). Distributed situation awareness in dynamic systems: theoretical development and application of an ergonomics methodology. Ergonomics 49: 1288–1311, https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130600612762.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Tenney, Y.J., Adams, M.J., Pew, R.W., Huggins, A.W., and Rogers, W.H. (1992). A principled approach to the measurement of situation awareness in commercial aviation. NASA contractor report 4451, Langley Research Center, NASA.Search in Google Scholar

Zhang, L., Yang, D.X., and Wang, Y.Q. (2010). Study on the effect of information display on human reliability in digital control room. China Saf. Sci. J. 20: 81–85, (in Chinese).Search in Google Scholar

Zou, Z.H., Yun, Y., and Sun, J.N. (2006). Entropy method for determination of weight of evaluating indicators in fuzzy synthetic evaluation for water quality assessment. J. Environ. Sciences 18: 1020–1023, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(06)60032-6.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2025-03-04
Accepted: 2025-08-18
Published Online: 2025-08-29
Published in Print: 2025-10-27

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Downloaded on 11.12.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/kern-2025-0023/html
Scroll to top button