Analysis of Human Performance Monitoring in Control Rooms for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Deployments
Keywords:
Small Modular Reactors, Health monitoring, cognitive workload, human performance, automation, nuclear control rooms, ergonomics, predictive analyticsAbstract
The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient nuclear energy has driven the adoption of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer enhanced safety, flexibility, and operational efficiency. However, the effectiveness of SMR control rooms remains highly dependent on human performance, where factors such as cognitive workload, psychological stress, and ergonomics play a crucial role in operator decision-making. Traditional control room monitoring systems primarily focus on basic physiological metrics such as heart rate and fatigue, lacking the capability to dynamically assess cognitive and environmental factors in real-time. This study explores the integration of automatic systems in SMR control rooms to monitor human performance and health mitigate operational risks. By leveraging wearable sensors, eye-tracking technology, and powered decision support. Key findings suggest that real-time monitoring significantly enhances situational awareness, workload balancing, and decision-making efficiency. Furthermore, integrating predictive analytics and adaptive automation within SMR control rooms can lead to a safer, more efficient operational environment, ensuring reliability in high-stakes nuclear applications. The proposed system represents a paradigm shift in human-machine collaboration, offering a holistic approach to improving safety and efficiency in next-generation nuclear control rooms.
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