RIL 2022-11, Research Information Letter (Ril 2022-11 Volume 7) Human Performance Test Facility Volume 7: Differences Between Hard Panel and Glass Top Simulator Ergonomics, Workload, and Usability
| ML26035A120 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/10/2026 |
| From: | Russell Felts Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research |
| To: | Philip Mckenna Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| RIL 2022-11 | |
| Download: ML26035A120 (0) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM TO:
Phillip McKenna, Acting Director Division of Reactor Oversight Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Russell Felts, Acting Deputy Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
SUBJECT:
RESEARCH INFORMATION LETTER (RIL 2022-11 VOLUME 7) HUMAN PERFORMANCE TEST FACILITY VOLUME 7: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HARD PANEL AND GLASS TOP SIMULATOR ERGONOMICS, WORKLOAD, AND USABILITY The Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) is providing, for your information and use, Research Information Letter (RIL) report, Human Performance Test Facility (HPTF) Volume 7: Differences Between Hard Panel and Glass Top Simulator Ergonomics, Workload, and Usability (RIL 2022-11). This report is the first of two that presents direct comparisons between hard panel and glass top full scope simulators. The goal of this research was to gain an understanding of the ergonomic, workload, and usability differences between the two simulator types and how those differences would impact both operators and examiners during a licensing exam. Understanding these differences from both the operator and examiner perspectives is important because:
(1) There is increased interest in using glass top simulators as an alternative to plant referenced simulators for licensing exams, training, and validation.
(2) New control rooms could be either partially or fully equipped with glass panels.
(3) There is a need to understand the impact of different types of fidelity changes on effective operator training and licensing.
CONTACT:
Kelly Dickerson, RES/DRA/HFRB 301-415-3917 February 10, 2026 Signed by Felts, Russell on 02/10/26
P. McKenna and M. Khanna 2
This report replicates and extends the research in RIL 2022-11 Volume 5. Volume 7 will be followed by Volume 8, which documents the operator performance data and uses eye tracking to uncover differences in attentional allocation between hard top and glass top controls, for both the operators and examiners. All three reports in this area support UNR-NRR-2024-001 Project 49, Regulatory Uses of Glass Top Simulators. The current study, like all HPTF studies was conducted after the Commission, in SRM SECY-08-0195, directed the staff to consider using generic simulator platforms for addressing human performance issues, as simulators provide a tool to gather more empirical nuclear-specific human performance data. These experimental data enhance the current information gathering process and, therefore, provide stronger technical bases and guidance to support regulatory decision making.
RES has worked closely with the cognizant NRR staff to ensure awareness of the research and that the product could be applied to ongoing and future regulatory activities prior to transmittal of the final report. All comments have been addressed with the involvement of NRR staff. We expect that this close working relationship will continue.
RES has established an on-line survey to collect feedback from User Offices on the usefulness of RES products and services. The URL for this survey is sent by the RES/DRA technical assistant, Trish Gallalee, to the point of contact for this product in your Office via e-mail. I would appreciate it if you would see that this short - approximately 5 minutes - survey is completed by the responsible manager or supervisor, giving your Offices views of the delivered RES (product/service), within the next 10 working days.
Enclosure:
- 1. RIL 2022-11; Human Performance Test Facility Volume 7
ML26035A120 OFFICE RES/DRA/HFRB RES/DRA/HFRB: BC RES/DRA: DD NAME KDickerson SPeters SPeters DATE 02/04/2026 02/09/2026 02/10/2026