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August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Truong V. Vo, Michael S. Harris, Bryan F. Gore
Nuclear Technology | Volume 84 | Number 1 | January 1989 | Pages 14-22
Technical Paper | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A34192
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) based inspection guidance has been developed using information from the PRA for Arkansas Nuclear One Unit 1 (ANO-1). This information will be used in conjunction with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Inspection and Enforcement Manual and has been prepared in the form of a plant-specific appendix for incorporation into this manual. An analytical method was developed for calculating risk importance for affected plant systems. This was used to prioritize the ANO-1 plant systems using the Fussel- Vesely importance measure on the basis of core melt probability. System fault trees were reanalyzed to identify and rank the risk significant components in each system. The product of this effort is a prioritized listing of systems and components associated with 98% of the inspectable portion of the risk from ANO-1. This compilation will subsequently be used by NRC inspectors in the preparation of inspection plans addressing risk-important systems and components at the ANO-1 power plant.