Situation awareness in process control; designing the human interface
conference paper
Through the introduction of process automation, the supervision of multiple functions becomes more and more the role of a single human operator, the 'process manager', assisted by a process information and control system. Consequently, the level of direct involvement of the human operator with the actual process is decreasing, with possible negative side effects with regard to operator 'situation awareness'. Therefore, when using this knowledge-based engineering technology it is important to maintain an operator-centred automation philosophy that overcomes limitations, enhances abilities and fosters acceptance. In the paper the function analysis and allocation process is outlined. This first step in the user-centred design process concerns the analysis of tasks, the demands these tasks put on the user, the identification of information to be processed and decisions to be made. Within this scope, experimental research is reported on the design and evaluation of operator support in a dynamic, real-time environment (integrated ship control). This research has demonstrated that information transfer to the human operator, and the resulting situation awareness, can be improved by facilitating the access to the required diagnostic information in the process-control system.
TNO Identifier
9526
Publisher
Nederlandse vereniging voor Ergonomie
Source title
Ergonomie in uitvoering: de digitale mens. Congresboek Nederlandse Vereniging voor Ergonomie
Editor(s)
Pikaar, R.N.
Place of publication
Utrecht
Pages
134-143
Files
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