Auxiliary information system applications to support control room operator activities

Ergonomic evaluation of power plant process control systems is essential for the fail-safe operation of high risk systems and in decision support, in order to reduce risks and increase security. As a joint research and development project between the Óbuda University and Profigram Ltd. ergonomics program analysis and evaluation of user interfaces took place in control room environment, where high risk process control environments were tested against ergonomic operator interface and control room environment design guidelines. The performed power plant software development analysis was conducted upon video recordings, that were made in six power plants and the control room analysis, that took place in the area of two domestic power plants; where comparative, detailed analysis were carried out, respectively. In the light of the results it became evident that an effective and safe usage is not adequate enough for process control functionality, technical quality or ergonomic user interface but it is essential to provide an accordingly designed operating environment as well. In conclusion we have set the potential limitations to support knowledge level interventions.