Human Factors Analysis of Pipeline Monitoring and Control Operations

Fast Facts
Financial and Status Data
Research Entity:	Battelle Memorial Institute Headquarter Address: 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201 Seattle address: Suite 400 1100 Dexter Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109-3598 Columbus, OH 43201-2696
COTR:	Byron Coy, byron.coy @ dot.gov, (609)989-2180
Contract #:	DTRS56-04-T-0003
Project #:	145
Contact Info:	Marvin C. McCallum, Ph.D. Phone: (206) 528-3242 Fax: (206) 528-3555 Email: mccallum @ battelle.org
Partners:	Christian Richard, Battelle Human Factors Transportation Center Mike Whelan, Pipeline Research Council, International Rick Gailing, Southern California Gas and Chair, PRCI Design, Construction, and Operations Committee Khalil Hobeiche, ExxonMobil Pipeline Jill Derise, Shell Oil Products US Jeff Searfoss, Buckeye Pipeline Co. Daniel Spangler, BP Pipelines N.A. Jacque Williams, Plantation Pipeline Tim Gibson, TransCanada Pipelines Chevron Pipeline
Peer Review	Very Effective (PHP-1-2006, Feb 7-9, 2006)
Peer Review	Very Effective (PHP-2-2007, Mar 27-29, 2007)
Project Status:	Completed
Start Fiscal Year:	2005 (10/01/2004)
End Fiscal Year:	2009 (03/31/2009)
PHMSA $$ Budgeted:	$435,500.00
$$ Co-Funded:	$494,918.00
Total Project Cost:	$930,418.00

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Main Objective

This project will systematically apply human factors research and development techniques in meeting two objectives. First, the study will establish an understanding of those human factors that adversely affect the safety, reliability, and efficiency of pipeline monitoring and control operations. Second, guidelines will be developed that can be used by industry to identify human factors problem areas in their operations and develop continuous improvement strategies to improve the effectiveness of pipeline monitoring and control operations.

Public Abstract

Past investigations of pipeline accidents by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have identified human factors as a significant contributor to several major pipeline accidents. In response to this, Battelle researchers will work with the Pipeline Research Council International and industry partners to systematically apply human factors research and development techniques in meeting two objectives. First, the study will establish an understanding of those human factors that adversely affect pipeline monitoring and control operations safety, reliability, and efficiency. Second, guidelines will be developed that can be used by industry to identify human factors problem areas in their operations and develop continuous improvement strategies to improve the effectiveness of pipeline monitoring and control operations. The overall approach to data collection and analysis will involve having human factors researchers analyze a sample of control room incidents described in company incident reports and through controller interviews, in addition to conducting a series of operational reviews of control rooms. These data will allow the researchers to identify the most problematic human factors issues in pipeline operations based on risk metrics developed with industry input. Following this, cost-effective strategies for addressing various human factors issues will be developed. This project will produce three products intended for future industry implementation: (1) human factors operational review procedures for identifying problematic issues at individual operating sites; (2) continuous improvement strategies for addressing selected high-priority human factors issues; and (3) guidelines for developing additional cost-effective continuous improvement strategies.

Final Report

Deliverables Nov 2008 PDF