Proactive Human Error Reduction Using the Systems Engineering Process

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Interaction Design ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Engineering Process ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Many existing simple systems are incapable of meeting current demand and are quickly becoming obsolete, indicating that more challenging systems and designs will exist in the future. If new technologies are not implemented correctly, human error in operation can quickly manifest. The pattern of human performance degradation when novel technologies are introduced has been found in a wide range of endeavors. For example, the Three Mile Island nuclear accident was a consequence of unanticipated interaction of multiple failures in a system of immense complexity in addition to inadequate training and human factors, such as human-computer interaction design oversight relating to ambiguous control room indicators. To combat the negative effects advancing technologies may have on plant operations, this study discusses several concepts: operator involvement in the systems engineering process; human performance integration with system operational requirements and system testing, evaluation, and validation; and procedures and training development in the systems engineering process. The isolation and bolstering of human performance improvement within the systems engineering process pose a novel approach to moderating human error associated with incorporating advanced technology in nuclear facilities.

The Intersection of Advancing Technology and Human Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan K. Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Human Errors ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Today's sensory and processing technologies are perceptive and precise. They can discern the environment, solve complicated problems, make assessments, and learn from experience. Although they do not think the way humans do, they can replicate many human intellectual aptitudes. Throughout the last several decades, companies have implemented advanced technology and increasingly removed the human from many aspects of nuclear operation. There are many advantages to this transition, but, like any system modification, failures inevitably manifest. In the instance of this article, human errors have resulted and have accounted for several accidents at nuclear facilities in the United States due to this transition. The accidents at these facilities due to human error often result in plant shutdowns, unnecessary expenses, and have the capacity to be problematic for people, the facilities, and environments. This article explores the context surrounding the complexity of changing technologies at the nuclear facilities and the potential exacerbation of problems caused by human error when technology advancements concerning operator interaction with control systems are implemented. To understand the complexity surrounding the human interaction with advancing technologies, the concepts of human performance and human factors are examined and then the impact of these concepts within the framework of advancing technology are applied to the operation of nuclear facilities. This review draws attention to the vulnerabilities due to human error at nuclear facilities within the context of continually advancing technology and sheds insight on the role human performance and human factors have on system design and the resulting outcome.

Impact of Advancing Technology on Nuclear Facility Operation

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan K. Corrado ◽  
Ronald M. Sega
Keyword(s):  
Human Error ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Many unfortunate and unintended adverse industrial incidents occur across the U.S. each year, and the nuclear industry is no exception. Depending on the severity, these incidents can be problematic for people, the facilities, and surrounding environments. These incidents occur for a number of varying reasons, but more often than not, human error is an accomplice. This article explores whether the complexity and changing technologies, which affect the way operators interact within the systems of the nuclear facilities, exacerbate the severity of incidents caused by human error. A review of nuclear incidents in the U.S. from 1955 to 2010 reaching level three or higher on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) scale was conducted. The cost of each incident at facilities that had recently undergone technological changes affecting plant operator's jobs was compared to those facilities which had not undergone changes. A t-test was applied and determined a statistically significant difference between the two groups. This affirmed that technological advances at nuclear facilities that affect how operators interact within the plant system increase the severity of resulting incidents. Next, a follow-on study was conducted to determine the impact from the incorporation of new technologies into nuclear facilities. The data indicated that spending more money on upgrades increased the capacity of the facility as well as the number of incidents reported, but the incident severity was minor.

scholarly journals A REVIEW OF IMPORTANT COGNITIVE CONCEPTS IN AVIATION

Aviation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana P. G. MARTINS
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Accident Rate ◽  
High Workload ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Cockpit Design ◽  
Flight Deck

Even considering the current low accident rate in aviation, the anticipated growth in the number of airplanes in the air in the next decades will lead to an inadmissible rise in the number of accidents. These have been mostly attributed to human error and a misunderstanding of automation by the crew, especially during periods of high workload and stress in the cockpit. Therefore, increased safety requires not only advances in technology, but improved cockpit design including better human-machine interface. These cannot be achieved however, without considering some of the cognitive constructs that affect the behaviour of pilots in the cockpit. In fact, given its characteristics and public visibility, the flight deck of commercial jets is one of the most common arenas for the study of complex and skilled human performance. Here I present a literature review on the selected topics of workload, situation awareness, stress and automation in the cockpit, with the goal of supporting the development of new technologies.

GUIDELINE FOR ORIENTED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Czaja ◽  
Roman Dumitrescu
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Engineering Process ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cycle Systems ◽  
Technical Systems

Technical systems of tomorrow will go beyond current traditional mechatronics designs by incorporating inherent intelligence. This adds high demands on the product development process, such as the need for a comprehensive understanding of the system and consideration of the full product life-cycle. Systems engineering (SE) is an approach that has a potential to fulfill these requirements. However, until now it could not be applied through a wide range of different industries and segments, especially in small and medium sized enterprises. This paper discusses different obstacles for the use of SE and presents a concept for a systems engineering guideline to face these challenges. The aim of the systems engineering guideline is to enable a target-oriented application of systems engineering methods and tools. The objective is to overcome the barriers of introduction of SE for enterprises. It links a design process to methods and tools in the field of systems engineering.  

Performance Enhancement and Accident Reduction in Complex Systems: Perspectives and a Research Program

1993 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 870-872
Author(s):  
Barrett S. Caldwell ◽  
Bruce G. Coury ◽  
Neville Moray ◽  
Najmedin Meshkati ◽  
Harold E. (Smoke) Price
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Performance Error ◽  
And Performance

Accidents in complex systems seldom arise from a single source, and are most often the result of multiple factors occurring at different levels of the system. Understanding the “systems” aspects of human performance (and performance error) in complex systems is a necessary part of any effort to avoid serious mishaps due to human error. This panel is intended to coincide with the development of a major research effort at the University of Wisconsin to address these issues. The Center for Human Performance in Complex Systems will apply the disciplines of systems engineering and ergonomics design to improve complex systems processes from the perspective of human performance. The purpose of this panel is to foster and demonstrate the Center's interest in bringing together a variety of perspectives and expertise bases to improve the overall quality and breadth of its activities. Each of the participants has a longstanding interest in improving the quality of human performance in complex and critical systems environments. Although they cannot represent the entire spectrum of relevant disciplines and perspectives of ergonomics and systems analysis, they provide a balance of insights, experience, and enthusiasm. This balance is essential to improving our understanding of factors affecting complex socio-technical systems, and implementing strategies to prevent and ameliorate the effects of system degradation and breakdown.

scholarly journals A Critical Review on Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Using Light Emitting Diode (LED)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-130
Author(s):  
T Purushothaman ◽  
K Irfana Mol
Keyword(s):  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Food Preservation ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Photodynamic Inactivation ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Promising Source

The light-emitting diode (LED) is an advanced technology with a wide range of applications in our day-to-day life. It has numerous advantages over conventional light, such as controlling the spectrum of light, the specificity of the wavelength, cool emitting surface, and cost-effectiveness. The novel technologies and developments have proved the efficacy of LEDs in eliminating microbes rather than being an effective lighting source. The LED employs Photodynamic Inactivation to eliminate micro-organisms with the help of various photo-sensitizers. Photodynamic inactivation is a non-chemical based technique that helps fight against the microbes without developing the resistant microbial strains. The illumination of LED at a specific narrow wavelength exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microbes, including resistant strains. Getting rid of harmful micro-organisms is one of the effective ways to reduce health risks and promote quality of life. Hence, the LEDs with specific narrow wavelengths can be employed to sterilize the medical equipment, healthcare environment, and food preservation without using chemicals. The Photodynamic Inactivation using LED as a light source will be a promising source for eradicating harmful micro-organisms, including nosocomial and foodborne pathogens.

The Challenges of Measuring Human Performance in Complex Operational Environments

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 2053-2057
Author(s):  
Pam Savage-Knepshield ◽  
David Hullinger ◽  
Rachael Lund ◽  
Carol Manning ◽  
Linda Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Human Factors Engineering ◽  
Predicting Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Industrial Organizational Psychology ◽  
Human Systems Integration ◽  
Industry Sectors

A panel of experienced human factors practitioners and researchers discusses the challenges encountered when measuring and quantifying human performance on the job and during system design and development. The panel, comprised of government/military researchers with expertise in human factors engineering, human systems integration, research psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, physics, systems engineering, and mechanical engineering, focuses not only on the challenges they have encountered, but also on the underlying human performance measurement issues and various approaches they have taken to address them. Understanding, measuring, evaluating and predicting factors that influence human performance is not only critical for the design of effective systems and programs of instruction, but also for overall job performance and mission effectiveness. Panelists will discuss critical factors and insights that are generalizable across a wide range of products and industry sectors as well as those that warrant further investigation.

Preliminary Analysis and Simulation of Railroad Dispatcher Workload

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 691-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixiao Huang ◽  
M. L. Cummings ◽  
Victoria C. Nneji
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Engineering Process ◽  
Work Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Efficient Schedule

Railroad dispatch centers increasingly use technology to assist dispatchers as they interact with multiple entities across a variety of tasks to ensure trains and track personnel function safely on an efficient schedule. A railroad dispatcher workload simulation could, therefore, be useful in estimating the impact of new technologies on dispatchers’ workload and overall system performance, particularly in the concept generation phase of a systems engineering process. This paper first discusses railroad dispatchers’ work analysis based on a large dispatch center and then presents the development of the Railroad Dispatcher Workload Simulation (RDWS), which generates models of dispatcher workload given various settings.

Site specific agricultural soil management with the use of new technologies

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Interface ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soil Variation ◽  
Soil Information ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The Soil Science Institute of Thessaloniki produces new digitized Soil Maps that provide a useful electronic database for the spatial representation of the soil variation within a region, based on in situ soil sampling, laboratory analyses, GIS techniques and plant nutrition mathematical models, coupled with the local land cadastre. The novelty of these studies is that local agronomists have immediate access to a wide range of soil information by clicking on a field parcel shown in this digital interface and, therefore, can suggest an appropriate treatment (e.g. liming, manure incorporation, desalination, application of proper type and quantity of fertilizer) depending on the field conditions and cultivated crops. A specific case study is presented in the current work with regards to the construction of the digitized Soil Map of the regional unit of Kastoria. The potential of this map can easily be realized by the fact that the mapping of the physicochemical properties of the soils in this region provided delineation zones for differential fertilization management. An experiment was also conducted using remote sensing techniques for the enhancement of the fertilization advisory software database, which is a component of the digitized map, and the optimization of nitrogen management in agricultural areas.</p>

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