Virtual-Reality Based Nuclear Power Plant Field Operator Training : Research Report
Pakarinen, Satu; Laarni, Jari; Koskinen, Hanna; Passi, Tomi; Liinasuo, Marja; Salonen, Tuisku-Tuuli (2021)
Pakarinen, Satu
Laarni, Jari
Koskinen, Hanna
Passi, Tomi
Liinasuo, Marja
Salonen, Tuisku-Tuuli
Työterveyslaitos
2021
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:9789522619754
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:9789522619754
Tiivistelmä
In nuclear power plants, field operators (FOP), make inspections and perform operations outside the main control room, and also collaborate with main control room (MCR) operators in different plant states. With emerging virtual technology, new opportunities for field operator training have become available. This literature review presents an overview on how virtual training can be utilized to improve training of FOPs, and also collaboration with the MCR operators. The main research questions were: First, what kind of VR solutions exist for field operator training? Second, how beneficial are these solutions for operator work and collaboration? And third, how should VR training be developed in order to better support work and safety?
Typically, virtual reality (VR) utilizes a wearable device, that is a VR headset comprising a stereoscopic head mounted display, hand-held controllers and motion tracking. With additional devices also sound and haptic experience can be delivered. Also, headphones can be used to provide sound, and suits and gloves to create a haptic experience. In VR, the virtual 3D world is provided to the user, and the user can interact and move physically within the virtual environment. However, in the research literature on the use of virtual reality for operator training, the term VR is understood broadly, and solutions that vary considerably in their technical maturity, in their level of interactivity, and in their training purpose, are reported as VR training.
For field operator training, four main application areas for VR were identified: First, fault, incident and accident management including collaboration with MCR operators. Second, maintenance work process planning and training. Third, radiation visualization and hazard detection training, and fourth physical safety training.
It was found that VR training can offer feasible and effective means for field operator training. On the other hand, the VR training as such cannot be seen as an omnipotent learning tool, but the effectiveness depends on the actual implementation. The realization of the plant facilities and their functionality in the VR training environment are crucial for achieving accurate mental models, for transferring the learned skills to actual work, and for ensuring a pleasant and inspiring learning experience. Also, the level of support and guidance from the instructor, as well as the task content and familiarity affect training results.
Even though the VR solutions for entertainment industry and consumer market have become more and more in common, there is plenty of room for development in the fields of education and training. In the future with the technological maturation and increasing availability of training solutions, VR training is likely to become increasingly common in the nuclear domain, and especially in field operator training.
Typically, virtual reality (VR) utilizes a wearable device, that is a VR headset comprising a stereoscopic head mounted display, hand-held controllers and motion tracking. With additional devices also sound and haptic experience can be delivered. Also, headphones can be used to provide sound, and suits and gloves to create a haptic experience. In VR, the virtual 3D world is provided to the user, and the user can interact and move physically within the virtual environment. However, in the research literature on the use of virtual reality for operator training, the term VR is understood broadly, and solutions that vary considerably in their technical maturity, in their level of interactivity, and in their training purpose, are reported as VR training.
For field operator training, four main application areas for VR were identified: First, fault, incident and accident management including collaboration with MCR operators. Second, maintenance work process planning and training. Third, radiation visualization and hazard detection training, and fourth physical safety training.
It was found that VR training can offer feasible and effective means for field operator training. On the other hand, the VR training as such cannot be seen as an omnipotent learning tool, but the effectiveness depends on the actual implementation. The realization of the plant facilities and their functionality in the VR training environment are crucial for achieving accurate mental models, for transferring the learned skills to actual work, and for ensuring a pleasant and inspiring learning experience. Also, the level of support and guidance from the instructor, as well as the task content and familiarity affect training results.
Even though the VR solutions for entertainment industry and consumer market have become more and more in common, there is plenty of room for development in the fields of education and training. In the future with the technological maturation and increasing availability of training solutions, VR training is likely to become increasingly common in the nuclear domain, and especially in field operator training.
Kokoelmat
- Kirjat [550]