Research study on the effects of illumination on performance of control room tasks

Pilot empirical data were obtained regrading the levels of illumination sufficient for performing tasks analogous to those performed in control rooms. In a computerized laboratory testbed, subjects scanned edgewise meters, examined hard-copy X-Y plots to discern the value of the displayed function at specific coordinates, and proofread hard-copy plant procedures. In a power-plant control-room simulator, data were likewise collected in a meter-reading task. For each task, response time and accuracy were measured under a range of illumination levels. The results from both settings indicated that with decreasing illumination, increased errors and/or longer response times occurred only for levels below ten footcandles, if at all. These data suggest that adequate performance in control room tasks can be achieved at illumination levels below those recommended in NUREG-0700 (US Nuclear Regulatory Commission control-room design guidelines).<>