Have coasters finally reached their peak?

[eddytheviper]

Roller coaster technology: 'Bigger! Faster! Scarier!'

 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24553630

 

P.S. I know it's long but, it's an interesting read.

 

Technology has transformed the theme park thrill ride, fueling a global arms race to create the fastest, tallest, scariest roller coasters the world has ever known.

 

Alton Towers in Staffordshire has just opened the world's first 14-loop roller coaster, called The Smiler, while in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World claims to have the world's fastest coaster.

 

But are we reaching the limits of what the human body - and theme park budgets - can stand? What will the thrill ride of the future look like?

Ferrari World's Formula Rossa ride blasts passengers from 0-149mph (240km/h) in just 4.9 seconds, with riders experiencing 4.8G during acceleration - G-forces only fighter pilots usually feel.

 

Its huge 25-tonne hydraulic winch and compressed nitrogen gas system produces 21,000 horsepower, 20 times that of a Formula 1 racing car.

Still of Formula Rossa coaster Ferrari World's Formula Rossa ride in Abu Dhabi is the fastest coaster in the world

 

John Wardley, designer of the Nemesis, Oblivion and Air rides at Alton Towers, said: "While we can withstand 6-8Gs for very short periods of time, if we experience 5G for more than five seconds, say, we're likely to black out.

"We can't push people any further than they can go at the moment."

On modern rides passengers experience about 3G in tight turns and loops, and zero G - the feeling of weightlessness - when upside down or flying over parabolic "bunny hills" and "camel backs".

 

"We reached the limit of G-forces a while ago, but there is no technological limit to how fast or how high roller coasters can go - it's all down to money," said Justin Garvanovic, founder of the European Coaster Club.

 

So what are the technologies that have enabled this move towards extreme rides?

Linear motors

 

The big breakthrough was the linear synchronous motor (LSM), capable of launching passengers from 0-70mph in about two seconds.

 

It is the same technology being developed by the US navy to propel jets from aircraft carriers as a replacement for the traditional steam piston catapult.

Still from Projekt Helix video Projekt Helix at Liseberg, Sweden, promises to be Europe's first multi-launch coaster when it opens in 2014

 

LSMs employ a series of electromagnets fired in sequence, with power being supplied from the latest generation of highly-efficient batteries.

 

They combine the launch, drive wheels and brake mechanisms all in one, allowing for blistering acceleration and equally effective braking by reversing the polarity of the electromagnets.

 

Crucially, this allows designers to reverse the direction of the ride, doubling the thrills without doubling the length of track.

 

“Greater speeds mean you have to increase the allowed rider heights, so fewer kids can go on the ride” - Steve Boney Maurer Soehne

 

The other major breakthrough has been 3D design engineering software from the likes of Autodesk, CATIA and Solidworks.

 

"Our software allows designers to create highly accurate digital prototypes and understand how a ride will behave before they build it," Carl Bass, Autodesk chief executive, told the BBC.

 

"It can predict the weakest point in the design; the likely fatigue rate of the materials; the speeds and G-forces."

 

This software, together with tubular steel tracks, innovative car and harness designs, and LSMs, have given designers the freedom to incorporate multiple launches and all sorts of vertical rolls, loops and corkscrews traditional coasters could never have managed.

 

For example, Projekt Helix, a 2014 coaster being developed by Mack Rides for the Liseberg amusement park in Sweden, will include two launches - Europe's first multi-launch coaster - accelerating riders to 62mph at 4.2G.

 

The two-minute ride will include a "pretzel loop", a twisted air-time hump, s-curves and a zero-G roll.

Still of the Takabisha thrill ride Takabisha, at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Japan, boasts the steepest descent at 121 degrees.

 

But insiders believe the thrill ride arms race is coming to an end because the costs are spiralling out of control.

Rides can cost from £2.5m to £25m, depending on their size and sophistication, with the likes of Disney spending even more on themed rides involving elaborate sets and animatronics.

 

Alton Towers' The Smiler cost £18m to build, while Projekt Helix will cost 23m euros (£19.5m).

 

"People were spending stupid money and had to take a step back," said Mr Garvanovic.

 

Steve Boney, spokesman for Maurer Soehne, a German thrill ride manufacturer, said: "There is a law of diminishing returns. As the magnets get bigger, they get heavier and much more expensive, and this pushes up the construction costs. Achieving an extra 50km/h [31mph] costs an extra three to four million euros [£2.5m-£3.5m].

 

"And greater speeds mean you have to increase the allowed rider heights, so fewer kids can go on the ride, reducing revenue," he added.

 

As a result there is move towards dark - or indoor - rides where the experience of whizzing round a track is enhanced by audiovisual technologies, like much larger versions of current simulator rides.

Still from Spider-Man ride 3D projections, like those used in Universal's Spider-Man rides, will be combined with the latest thrill ride launch technologies to create a more intense multi-sensory experience

 

"The ride of the future will be an entertainment machine, as much about surprise, fun and enchantment as physical thrills," said Mr Wardley.

 

Mr Boney agrees, saying: "Audiovisual technology is where most of the technological innovation is happening."

 

For example, Dynamic Structures, the Canadian company behind the Harry Potter theme rides for Universal Studios, is currently developing a "coal mine-themed" ride for a client in Dubai that will incorporate thrill ride speeds and G-forces with 3D projection effects and robotics.

The Smiler coaster The Smiler, the world's first 14-loop roller coaster, opened at Alton Towers in October

 

"It will be the most technically advanced ride in the world," Craig Breckenridge, senior designer at Dynamic Structures told the BBC.

 

"We're doing things with coasters that have never been done before, such as switching tracks, and using video and projections that will trick your brain into thinking you're really falling."

 

At certain sections of the ride the cars will drop vertically, laterally, and backwards on a tilting piece of track that takes them underneath where they've just been, said Mr Breckenridge.

 

So as the traditional thrill ride arms race comes to an end, it seems a new era of intense, multi-sensory, immerse dark rides is only just beginning.

 

 

So, there you have it... it's certainly an interesting opinion of the future.

 

Now I put it to you, do you think we've reached the peak of coaster extremes or... do you believe coaster design and the concept of roller coasters will now have to evolve for new thrills?

 

What do you believe is next?

[Xmeister]

In the 90s, I remember watching a Discovery Channel special where a manufacture of simulator rides predicted the same kind of thing about coasters reaching their limits in height and speeds. After this, he predicted that simulators would be taking the place of the traditional coaster.

 

Two decades later we have two coasters that go well over 400 feet and even more that go way past 100 MPH. Also, simulator rides haven't come close to replacing coasters. While a coaster hasn't tried for the height record in quite some time, I don't think it's as easy as saying that there is a height or speed limit. If a park is willing to pay for it you can bet a manufacture is going to attempt to build it. Also height restrictions aren't really that related to maximum height and speed. The biggest factor for height restrictions are the type of restraint, and I think there are many restraint types available today that are more than capable of handling taller/faster coasters than we have at the moment.

 

I see a coaster breaking the 500 foot mark by the end of the decade. So thankfully I don't think we've come close to a speed or height limit just yet. Although the faster that coasters get, the more likely that facial/eye protection will be needed.

 

That being said the article mentioned a shift towards greater emphasis on themed attractions and I wouldn't have any complaints there!

 

Thanks for posting the article, it was an interesting read!

[yankeeman311]

The article was an interesting read so thanks for sharing it. I think coasters have reached the HEIGHT peak because no park wants to have the costs of maintaining a coaster like TTD or KK. So unless they can figure out how to build a more reliable coaster of that height, I don't think any park will pay a manufacturer to go for the height record.

 

As for the overall peak I'd have to disagree with the article. RMC alone has built revolutionary coasters the past 3 years and I think there's enough technology out there to keep trying to find the next big thing and top ourselves.

[Fooz]

I think that it's plausible that coasters are entering a "final" age, in which we have sizes and speeds and max forces we will not likely go beyond, but within those limits the boundaries of design still seem to be maturing into something new(ish). The modern extreme intamins and RMC coasters are just so good, I'd be happy if they represent the forseeable future of coasters. El toro, maverick, skyrush, outlaw run, goliath... I don't yearn for 11g's, 700' monsters, or 200 mph rides if we can keep this sort of thing going in some capacity.

[Canobie Coaster]

I care more about a great experience rather than a record-breaking ride. Kingda Ka may be the world's tallest coaster and one heck of a thrill, but I prefer the smaller and highly themed Revenge of the Mummy to it. Both rides are fantastic and have their merits. Some parks want that record. Six Flags Great Adventure does a great job promoting Kingda Ka's records and it's a major draw for the park. Meanwhile, Kingda Ka wouldn't really fit in with Universal and the Mummy coaster is a highly enjoyable and very marketable attraction for them.

[Jackdude101]

New roller coasters and new amusement parks will continue to be sought after as long as the world population grows. There has been a huge park boom in China over the past few decades and now that Russia has joined the WTO and opened the floodgates for foreign investment, it is set to see a park boom, also (though most will be indoor facilities). India may also experience a park boom as well if newer world class parks like Adlabs Imagica become popular with the general population. That, of course, will depend on how well their economy progresses and how strong their middle class becomes, which at present is minimal.

[ajfelice]

Coasters may have temporarily reached a plateau in terms of speed and height, but creativity and innovation are still going strong. Just look at RMC. The wooden roller coaster is being redefined by them. Overall, it's okay to argue that coasters may have temporarily peaked in terms of their stats, but the diversity and excitement of ride experience hasn't come close to that as of yet, and hopefully the overall experience of coasters never peaks.

[Jackdude101]

creativity and innovation are still going strong.

 

This. I'm still waiting for a successful design of a roller coaster train that jumps the tracks Evel Knievel-style and reconnects with the track at the end of the jump. There are records of people attempting and testing these types of rides during the Coney Island glory days circa 100 years ago, but they never got them to work right.

[Dr. M]

I don't see why once you hit the speed/height/intensity limit, the move has to then be towards dark ride technologies. I love dark rides and all, but how about more innovation in track layout and progression? New elements like what RMC is doing with the zero g stall? Those are the developments that excite me the most, and I don't think we'll see the end of that any time soon.

[Mrlittle]

I feel the theme park industry is still growing as far as what can be done to the human body. Just like RMC is being innovative with wooden coasters. I'm sure Intamin (or insert other company) will continue to create things that will push the human body in steel coasters. Someone should just tell the writer to go to IAAPA next month.

[neovortex2k]

I'm sorry I have to completely disagree with that article. For the last 100 years coasters have been changing and evolving. I really don't think we are done. As long as someone out there has an imagination or can dream I really don't think we have seen the peak yet.

 

Also with China, Russia and India becoming major players in theme parks now I say watch this space for one of them opening the next revolutionary design.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I think someone will try their hand at a 500-foot coaster sometime within the next decade or two. And I mean a true 500 footer, not the slow, meandering around a tower Polarcoaster proposed for Vegas. I also don't think Cedar Point is quite done building the monster groundbreaking coasters, even with Ouimet. Not that Maverick and Gatekeeper weren't large investments, but I wouldn't necessarily put them on the same scale as TTD was back in 2003.

 

I've also always wondered how high, in theory, Formula Rossa could reach if it were built like TTD and KK? Anyone care to take a stab? I wouldn't know where to begin, math-wise.

[AndrewRnR]

I honestly think the true limit simply will come down to money. Money to design, build and implement a ride that is "comfortable " (as is riders don't black out - think about the speeds and height planes go but you don't "feel" the forces due to the design of the cabin - what's not to say a similar approach could be taken to coasters?).

[thrillseeker4552]

^^With Formula Rossa just a hair under 150 MPH, I'm sure it could go well over 500 feet if built with a tower like KK/TTD. There is a 36-foot difference between KK and TTD, but only an 8 MPH difference in speed. I'm almost positive that the 22 MPH difference between KK and FR could easily make it go more than 50 feet higher to break the 500-foot barrier. I think the question is the amount of speed and forces the coaster car wheels can handle while ascending and descending the tower. It would be a sick ride though, especially if made with those awesome lap bar trains from Intamin (now I'm just dreaming)..... It sounds very possible though.

[rcjp]

^ I think the problem is more money (like AndrewRnR said) rather than the design issues themselves. But, yes, maybe it would be tricky to build a 500 foot tall ride with nice forces and reasonable length. I have also dreamt of intamin building a record breaking ride (in terms of speed and height) with millennium force like restraints and length and skyrush like airtime. (maybe that's asking too much, though)

 

I remember when during last year's IAPPA Robb interviewed Sandor Kernacs from Intamin he said that he believed they were getting close to the limit in terms of speed as it may start getting uncomfortable for riders. I have never been on formula rossa but I've been on Kingda Ka and riding it in the front, while awesome, is not something I would wan't to do for a long period of time as the 128 mph wind is pretty intense. It was fine for me, but I imagine that was lot more than that may get uncomfortable. So maybe if designers want to get a lot faster they will have to start considering using something like windshields. Like the ones on ringracer, maybe that, despite not being as tall as the rider's heads, deflect the wind (partially) so that the speed of the air that hits riders in the face is reduced.

[prozach626]

In the 90s, I remember watching a Discovery Channel special where a manufacture of simulator rides predicted the same kind of thing about coasters reaching their limits in height and speeds. After this, he predicted that simulators would be taking the place of the traditional coaster.

 

Wow. I was literally going to say the same thing. All of the coaster specials would always use Universal's Terminator attraction at the end, pretty much saying the days of the Roller Coaster were limited. I used to think that statement was ignorant when I was 10 years old. I still think it is.

[cfc]

^^Kingda Ka is my personal limit, too. The intensity of that launch isn't fun, and the speed just plasters my eyes shut all the way up the high hat.

 

I'd rather see more imaginative layouts than more speed.

[Blue Turbo]

I'd rather see more imaginative layouts than more speed.

I agree with you there. I would much rather ride a coaster with an fun and interesting layout than one that relies on a gimmick like being the tallest or the fastest.

[gerstlaueringvar]

Hell no! Roller coasters are not disappearing! Think about all the competition between the coaster manufacturers, clearly the industry is still booming. How could it be busting if parks like SFGAm and SFM are getting giant new coasters(though I knew Medusa is not whole-new)? Plus, all those developing countries clearly need more coasters for their parks, because coasters are much better than anything for marketing. I knew a giant new park in China is getting nine costers instead of nine stimulators.

[ozziboy]

^^I'd agree with the previous posters as well.

 

While the focus of the article seems to be how much higher, faster, etc. can coasters go to attract attention, it seems to miss the point that its not just the "extreme-ness" of a ride that makes it a draw-card, its the 'fun' factor as well as the thrill.

 

In my experience, I don't consider any of the record holders as being 'the best' in the world at all. IMO a couple of unique or unusual coasters such as EuroMir at Europa Park and Winjas at Phantasialand rank as the World's best, because they're not just another version made bigger or faster. A park that's able to boast a ride design is the 'only one' is just as impressive as being the biggest or fastest.

 

But having said that, one-off rides would come at a premium price tag. So the money the owner saves by it not being so big or high, might get equally spent instead on their design and unique mechanisms.

[simon8899]

I still remember the old Schwarzkopf documentary from German TV in the 70s were the master himself thought that the limits were soon to be reached - and then new developments happen. Lately I think the recurring of lapbars and ideas like the SkyLoop by Maurer-Söhne or the inverting woodies by RMC are examples how you can still make new coaster designs.

 

I however agree on the idea of shuttle or switchback coasters - the former having always the capacity problem. But I can imagine a switchback coaster like Expedition Everest with a layout similar to Helix...

[bill_s]

In terms of peak forces and height, perhaps. Such record setters are rare and even the larger non-record coasters such as gigas are few. There are some records that could still be broken, for example I don't even see tallest coaster with inversions in any lists, and that definitely ought to be pushed further. I think there are still frontiers as to design. There are many unexplored combinations.

 

As to simulators, some are interesting but even a basic kiddie coaster is more satisfying as a coaster experience.

 

Another possibility would be going taller and faster and staying small. Imagine a one-wide seating coaster like the Jet Star taken to 300' ... that would be crazy; it would have poor capacity but be relatively cheap.

 

I came up with a lot of ideas inspired by the replacement of Big Bad Wolf, but what they did only shares a small aspect. One idea was to use the terrain and LIMs: start off from a high point and first propel with gravity. Once that reaches the bottom, use LIMs to get back up the hill, boost again and put the fastest parts last -- basically use LIMs to avoid the pacing issues caused by the original's multiple lifts. That's a new combination. Another idea was to simulate the motions of a suspended with a conventional track and its greater flexibility and suitability for forces. To some extent RMC is doing similar with elements that throw you up and float you sideways. I think there is more that can be done with advanced design software to create coasters that look much the same, but ride totally different. This is more subtle than record-breaking but just as significant.

[cfc]

As to simulators, some are interesting but even a basic kiddie coaster is more satisfying as a coaster experience.

 

 

I think this depends on your definition of "simulator." For example, Spider-man at Islands of Adventure (and the Transformers ride at Universal Studios) is essentially a "rolling simulator" that packs considerably more punch than a "basic kiddie coaster."

[Nrthwnd]

For myself, I think the future of coasters is more imaginative layouts,

coupled with complete and all-encompassing themeing. And maybe more

coasters will end up 'in a box', so complete control over visual environment

can be achieved. I also believe that speed and height, are reaching

their proverbial "peak."

[gisco]

I think today we are in a holding pattern on height and speed. The economy probably has done more to slow things down then reaching the limits. There will come a time when a park somewhere will want the tallest or fastest coaster. I just don't thing we will see the leaps coasters have made in the last 15 years.