While the art of designing is truly innovative and takes incredible creativity, roller coasters showcase some of the true artistries of engineering, revealing just how interesting it can be.
History and Harmony
The stereotypical example of converting potential energy to kinetic energy, roller coasters and their incredibly complex designs seem to be feats of both the realms of engineering and art. These creative machines can date back to the 17th century in Russia, where structures of giant wooden slides would be covered in ice and rode on top of via sleds. As the years passed, many technological advancements had been made, allowing for roller coasters to slowly upgrade. They transformed from being theoretically unsafe machines that used only friction and gravity, into some of the world’s most safe and technologically complex structures.
Modern roller coasters utilize advanced technological systems, ranging from the computers and coding embedded on the rides, to the engineering designs of the ride vehicles and track type. Each aspect of a roller coaster requires immense work to ensure that the ride built is efficient, comfortable, and safe. The aspects of a roller coaster must work in perfect harmony, or the ride itself will not work properly.
Before learning about the artistic creativity of roller coasters, all other aspects should be recognized in order to understand the true complexity of modern roller coasters. Roller coasters explore all three axes of gravitational forces: vertical, lateral, and forward. The gravitational forces (g-forces) experienced on rides are defined with positive and negative numbers.
3 Types of Forces
Vertical G-Forces
Vertical forces are experienced when rides travel over hills or through valleys. When a ride goes over a hill quickly or slowly, riders experience a phenomenon known as airtime. Airtime can be classified as floater or ejector. Floater is more slow and subtle and feels like you’re in space, rather ejector is quick and forceful, throwing you out of your seat. These g-forces are negative due to the fact that riders are lifted out of their seats when this happens. When rides travel through valleys or go through a turn quickly, positive g-forces are experienced.
To explain, when you go through a valley on the bottom of a roller coaster, you feel shoved into your seat. These are positive g-forces and are defined by numbers in a range that is usually from 1-5. For example, when a ride reaches 3 positive vertical g-forces, the rider’s body weight will be multiplied by 3, therefore placing more pressure on the rider. This can be applied in the same way for negative vertical g-forces, making riders feel lighter.
Lateral G-Forces
Lateral forces are felt when a ride turns, usually at an unbanked degree. The banking of a ride is when the track starts to tilt to the side. The higher the degree, the more the track tilts. When the degree hits 180, the ride is upside down, creating an inversion. When a ride goes through a turn with an unbanked degree, the rider will experience positive or negative lateral g-forces, determined by the way which the ride turns. If a ride turns to the right at a somewhat quick pace, then the rider will experience negative lateral g-forces. Vice versa, when a ride turns left at a quick pace, the rider experiences positive g-forces. These do not multiply the rider’s body weight, just shift it to the right and left.
Forward G-Forces
Forward forces are felt when the ride accelerates and decelerates. When a ride speeds up (in this case via an LSM launch), riders will experience negative forward forces and be pushed into the back of their seat. This same idea happens when a ride slows down, pushing riders forward, creating positive forward g-forces.
Track Type
There are two main types of roller coasters: wood and steel (and sometimes hybrid).
Wood Track
Track types vary widely, but steel coasters are usually more flexible than wooden coasters in their track design. Although steel coasters have more flexibility in the way their track is designed, each company usually has a signature look that makes it easier to determine which company made what ride.
Steel Track
The steel track, as seen below, is generally a spine with two rails that utilize ties in order to connect the rails to the track. Most steel coasters have the bogie (the part of the vehicle that features wheels and connects the ride to the track) on the outside. B&M–the company who manufactured Fury 325 and many other giga coasters (roller coasters that range from the 300–399-foot range) –utilizes a box style spine with ties that stay vertical and create a simple and sleek track design.
Steel coasters also have the option to either launch to move forwards, or they can use a chain lift. Both types of roller coasters are common today, but for more thrilling attractions, parks tend to lean towards a launched roller coaster.
3 Types of Launches
Although there are also many other types of launches, these are the main 3 that are utilized on rides: LSM, LIM, and Hydraulic.
LSM & LIM – These two are very similar, but they differ in the way they send rides forward.
- LIM (Linear Induction Motor) Uses electromagnetic propulsion to launch a ride forward at high speeds. These were the first types of launches introduced to the world.
- LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) Uses magnets on the track and the bottom of the ride to speed up and slow the ride down. These are generally very reliable.
Hydraulic – essentially a slingshot method that uses a cable that attaches to the bottom of the ride vehicle and flings the ride forward. This is used on a couple of rides today, due to their high costs and low reliability.
Artistry in Vehicle and Layout Design
Vehicle Design
Vehicle design must be built to fit the track and so that it can carry the g-forces brought on by the ride. This is another aspect where roller coasters can become creative designs that showcase talent and skill. In order to incorporate various themes into designs, some rides may have animals decorated on the front whereas others may resemble vehicles such as a car. Regardless of their design, ride vehicles must be engineered to fit the track they were made for and be able to traverse the course successfully.
Design usually varies by company, but this is where comfort is most analyzed. The ride experience is determined by the ride vehicle, so careful consideration of everything from the seats to the lap bars/shoulder harnesses can drastically change the ride experience for riders.
Layout Design
The layout of a roller coaster is where engineers get to showcase their artistic creativity. The more creative roller coaster designs are, the more people will want to ride them due to their “funky nature”.
Today, many manufacturers are attempting to develop new experiences that create new sensations, ranging from element types on rides to the intricate design of new vehicles that perform things never seen before.
One example of a new experience is the Vertical Launch Coaster by Intamin Amusement Rides. This new design is something that truly exhibits how even a little change in the way a ride is built will drastically change the way the ride feels. Many vertical lifting rides utilize chain lifts, which are slow and sometimes boring. The quick launch over a giant hill can make a ride more intense and creates a new experience for all.
Ultimately, roller coasters are feats of both engineering and art, showing how the creativity of many different aspects of a ride can change the way a ride feels and is viewed by the public. The modern realm of roller coasters is ever changing, truly revealing the beauty of the field of STEAM.
Sources
- Cochran, Amanda. “World’s Best Roller Coasters.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 20 July 2011, www.cbsnews.com/pictures/worlds-best-roller-coasters/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.
- Shepard, Linda. “What Is the History of Roller Coasters? – Employment Security Commission.” Employment Security Commission, 16 Oct. 2023, www.ncesc.com/what-is-the-history-of-roller-coasters/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.
- https://www.chriswoodford.com. “How Rollercoasters Work | Science of Rollercoasters.” Explain That Stuff, 2 Mar. 2008, www.explainthatstuff.com/rollercoasters.html. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.
- “Wild Mouse Roller Coaster – Coasterpedia – the Roller Coaster and Flat Ride Wiki.” Coasterpedia.net, 2017, coasterpedia.net/wiki/Wild_Mouse_roller_coaster. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.
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