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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.
Joachim Ehrhardt, J. A. Jones
Nuclear Technology | Volume 94 | Number 2 | May 1991 | Pages 196-203
Technical Paper | Advances in Reactor Accident Consequence Assessment / Nuclear Reactor Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT91-A34541
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
COSYMA (COde SYstem from MARIA) is a new program package for assessing the off-site consequences of accidental releases of radioactive material to atmosphere, developed as part of the Commission of the European Communities Methods for Assessing the Radiological Impact of Accidents (MARIA) program. It represents a fusion of ideas and modules from the program system UFOMOD from Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe, the program MARC from the National Radiological Protection Board, new model developments, and data libraries from other MARIA contractors. The flexible coding permits a problem-oriented application to different sites, source terms, emergency plans, and needs of users in the various parts of Europe. An overview is given of the structure, models, and endpoints of COSYMA.
