Applying human reliability growth analysis to system performance enhancement

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Yang, Chih-Wei^a | Lin, Chiuhsiang Joe^{b; *} | Chen, James C.^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Industrial Engineering, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Taiwan, R.O.C. | [b] Department of Industrial Engineering, Chung-Yuan Christian University, 200, Chung Pei Rd., Chung-Li, Taiwan 32023, R.O.C. | [c] Department of Industrial Engineering, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +886 3 2654419, Fax: +886 3 2654499, E-mail: hsiang@cycu.edu.tw.

Abstract: This study presents a human reliability growth analysis system (HRGAS) for human reliability estimation and prediction. The HRGAS can be applied to monitor and record human performance activities. Human performance activity data can then be utilized to generate a human reliability growth model for a target system. This study utilized contemporary human error definition techniques and reliability models to generate a HRGAS. Software for HRGAS was developed. The analytic analysis process consists of classification of human behaviors, failure mode evaluation and analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and human reliability growth calculation. A series of implementation experiments and assessments demonstrated that the system is reliable and can be monitored and continuously controlled for reliability growth. This system can be utilized to supervise human performance and develop standards suitable for human performance.

Keywords: Human-machine system, human reliability, human error, reliability growth

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2006-25106

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 77-86, 2006