Performance of control room operators in alarm management

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Abstract

Research is being conducted at Louisiana State University to understand the performance of pipeline operators in the management of alarm systems and to measure the performance of operators in handling abnormal situations like pressure loss, liquid inflow/outflow variation; and alarm floods. This current study was designed to evaluate the impact of different alarm rates and interfaces on operator performance through a 1-hour liquid pipeline simulation experiment. Pipeline operators ran six 1-hour scenarios with different alarm rates. The alarm rates used were 15 alarms per 10 minutes, 20 alarms per 10 minutes, 25 alarms per 10 minutes, and 30 alarms per 10 minutes. Alarm presentation strategies - chronological versus categorical - were also varied. Experimental data of 25 pipeline and refinery operators was collected and analyzed in the study. Performance of operators was measured in terms of acknowledgement time, response time and the accuracy of response. Results will provide information that could be used to assess present alarm standards for operators and possibly determine the maximum allowable number of alarms an operator can handle over a specified time interval.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

61st Annual IIE Conference and Expo Proceedings

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