User interface design in safety parameter display systems: direction for enhancement

The extensive installation of computerized safety parameter display systems (SPDSs) in nuclear power plants since the Three-Mile Island accident has enhanced plant safety. It has also raised issues of how best to ensure an effective interface between human operators and the plant using computer systems. It is suggested that developments in interface technologies since the existing generation of SPDSs was installed can contribute to improving display interfaces. These technologies include novel input devices (including mouse and trackball), three-dimensional displays, delay indicators, and auditory displays. Examples of how they might be applied to improve current SPDSs are given.<
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