The user’s Role in Automated Fault Detection and System Recovery

Systems whose failure can cause loss of life or large economic loss need to be tolerant to faults (i.e. faults in system hardware, software, and procedures). Examples of such systems include airplane autopilots in the automatic landing mode, electricity utility power generation plants, and telephone electronic switching systems (ESS). Such systems are characterized by high reliability; they fail infrequently and recover quickly when a fault does occur. The user usually cannot respond fast enough if and when a fault is detected. Even if he could respond, his proficiency would not be high because the fault occurs infrequently.