Human Centric Approach to Improve Pipeline Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Performance and Reliability

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) is critical in operating pipelines safely and efficiently, but these inspections in the ditch are often riddled with unintentional human error. This can, and has proven to have, serious consequences in the form of lost lives and staggering property damage. The Battelle Team proposes a powerful research program to tackle this critical deficiency and pilot both technology and human solutions in the next two to three years for future commercialization plans. Battelle has experts explicitly in human factor evaluations, who will lead the investigation, and will closely collaborate with partnering NDE vendors Mistras Group, Inc, JENTEK Sensors, Inc, and Applus RTD. Extensive interviews, protocol reviews, field observations, and control tests with field pipe defects will be systematically analyzed to identify and prioritize detrimental human shaping factors in the first 12 months. For the most effective analysis, Battelle experts will optimize the well-established Saba™ Peak Performance System accompanied by Human Performance Technology Front-end Analysis. In the following one to two years, solutions will be developed and piloted, with Phase 2 dedicated to human interventions and Phase 3 to technology interventions.

• Record URL:
  http://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/prjHome.rdm?prj=644

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $1516720
• Contract Numbers:

  DTPH5615T00010L

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

  U.S. Department of Transportation
  East Building, 2nd Floor 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

  U.S. Department of Transportation
  East Building, 2nd Floor 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Hindman, Greg

• Performing Organizations:

  Battelle Memorial Institute

  505 King Avenue
  Columbus, Ohio  United States  43201
• Principal Investigators:

  Wourms, David

• Start Date: 20150930
• Expected Completion Date: 20170929
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Pipeline Safety Research
• Subprogram: Pipeline Safety

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Human factors engineering; Inspection; Nondestructive tests; Pipelines
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Pipelines; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01674997
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: DTPH5615T00010L
• Files: RIP, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 13 2018 3:41PM