This Interactive allows the user to explore the design of a roller
coaster. You will learn about the variety of decisions that have to be
made by a coaster designer in order to create the desired rider
experience. Factors that affect the thrill factor of a ride while
insuring rider safety are discussed.
Start
Roller Coaster Design
Continue
It is the goal of every coaster designer to design a roller
coaster that is both thrilling and safe. The design process involves
several decisions that must be made about the height and curvature of
the various sections of the track. An understanding of the physics of
circular motion is used in order to make informed decisions that result
in the intended rider experience.
In this widget, you will learn about the decision-making process.
Information regarding the following five locations on the track is
provided:
A. the height of the initial hill from which the cars are
released,
B. the height and radius of curvature of the top of a
loop,
C. the radius of curvature of the bottom of the same
loop,
D. the height and the radius of curvature of the top of a
hill, and
E. the radius of curvature of the bottom of the same
hill.
Guidance will be provided as you step through the entire design
process. Attention should be given to how the decisions that are made
affect the rider experience.
Select a height from the choices below. You will always have the
option to return to this screen and change it later.
Selecting the Height of the Initial Drop
Height of the initial drop (m)
The first decision that must be made is a decision regarding the
height of the initial drop. The coaster cars will be released from rest
(nearly) from the top of a tall hill. The potential energy possessed by
the riders is transformed into kinetic energy as the riders descend to
lower locations. The higher that this location is, the more potential
energy that the car will possess … and the faster that the car will
move at every other location on the track.
50 m
60 m
70 m
80 m
Pick a Section to Design
First Drop Height = 80.0 m
Design
the Hill
Design
the Loop
Change First Drop Height
The various design elements of a roller coaster can be designed
separate from one another. The rider's experience within a loop is not
dependent upon the design of the adjacent hill … and vice versa. While
the rider experience on both the loop and the hill depends on the
height of the initial drop, they do not depend upon the design features
of each other.
Tap on either the loop or the hill to begin the design for that
section.
B
Design the Hill
Loops create thrill by gradually changing the magnitude and
direction of the acceleration. There is a large acceleration at the
bottom of the loop (C) - sometimes as much as 3•g to 4•g - and a much
smaller acceleration at the top of the loop (B) - very close
to 2•g. Additionally, riders experience a varying normal force …
leading to sensations of heaviness at the bottom and (in some designs)
sensations of partial weightlessness at the top of the loop.
To begin the loop design, tap on either the top or the bottom of the
loop.
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Loop Design
Loop Bottom Design Goals: • faster
• a > 20 m/s2
• sensations of heaviness
• Fnorm: > 3 Gs and < 5 Gs • upward a and Fnet
Design the Loop
C
Loop Top Design Goals: • slower
• a > 10 m/s2
• weightless sensations
• Fnorm: > 0 Gs and < 2 Gs
• downward a and Fnet
D
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Hill Design
Hill Bottom Design Goals: • faster
• acceleration: > 20 m/s2
• sensations of heaviness
• Fnorm: 3 Gs to 4 Gs
• upward a and Fnet
Hill Top Design Goals: • slower
• acceleration: 5 - 15 m/s2
• weightless sensations
• Fnorm: 0.5 Gs to 0 Gs
(occasionally negative Gs)
• downward a and Fnet
Hills create thrill by lifting riders partially or entirely off
their seats near the crest of the hill (D). This reduces normal forces
to 0 N, creating a weightless sensation. In extreme cases, the
acceleration is so great, that the safety bar pushes down on the
riders, creating a condition known as negative Gs. At the
hill bottom (E), riders experience large normal forces to
slow their bodies down and to provide the centripetal acceleration
required to negotiate the curve of the track. Riders may experience as
much as 3 to 4 Gs of normal force. Finally, from the
crest (D) to the bottom of the hill (E), the track has a
parabolic shape allowing riders to experience a free fall sensation.
To begin the hill design, tap on either the top or the bottom of the
hill.
E
Loop Top: Design and Safety Considerations
Design the Loop Bottom
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
There are two design parameters that are important for loop tops -
the height and the radius of curvature of the loop top. Control of
these parameters allows the coaster designer to create the intended
rider experience.
There are two safety concerns associated with loop tops:
(1) If riders are moving too slowly, the acceleration decreases to a
value of 9.8 m/s2. This is the free fall acceleration. You don't want
riders in free-fall.
(2) The accelerations of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2.
Accelerations that are this high result in the rushing of too much
blood out of the brain and a subsequent risk of riders blacking out.
There is a final design consideration that pertains to loops in
general. Clothoid-shape loops have a radius at the top that is about
1/3-rd the loop's height and a radius at the bottom that is about
2/3-rd the loop's height.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
View Design Data
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
Loop Bottom: Design and Safety Considerations
Design the Loop Top
The one design parameter that is important for loop bottoms is the
radius of curvature of the loop bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with loop bottoms:
The acceleration of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2. Extreme
accelerations result in the rushing of too much blood out of the brain
and a subsequent risk of blackout. While not all riders blackout at
this acceleration, there would be enough that would to distract others
from riding your coaster. Accelerations greater
than 60 m/s2 would require a special G-suit.
There is a final design consideration that pertains to loops in
general. Clothoid-shape loops have a radius at the top that is about
1/3-rd the loop's height and a radius at the bottom that is about
2/3-rd the loop's height.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
Hill Top: Design and Safety Considerations
Design the Hill Bottom
There are two design parameters that are important for hill tops -
the height and the radius of curvature of the hill top. Control of
these parameters allows the coaster designer to create the intended
rider experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill tops:
The accelerations are downward at the top of the loop. Gravity can
provide an acceleration up to 9.8 m/s2. For accelerations greater
than 9.8 m/s2, a safety bar must provide the remaining
acceleration. As accelerations approach 19.6 m/s2, a
dangerous condition can result. As the upward-moving riders reach the
crest of the hill, the force of the safety bar pushes the riders' flesh
and bones downward. Yet there is nothing to prevent the upward flow of
blood through the blood vessels towards the brain. The rapid rushing of
too much blood to the brain can cause some riders to redout. Without a
special G-suit, riders are at risk of experiencing the fatal condition
of breaking blood vessels in the brain.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
Hill Bottom: Design and Safety Considerations
There is one design parameter that is important for a hill bottom
- the radius of curvature of the hill bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill bottom:
The accelerations of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2.
Accelerations that are this high result in the rushing of too much
blood out of the brain and a subsequent risk of riders blacking out.
While not all riders black out at this acceleration, there would be
enough that would to distract others from riding your coaster. At
accelerations greater than 60 m/s2, it would require a
special G-suit to safely ride the ride.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
First Drop Height = 80.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
Design the Hill Top
Loop Top: Design Data and Rider Experience Reports
Tap below for aQuick Linkto Location B Data
for a first drop
height of ...
* Riders were in a state of free fall at the top of the loop.
Tap below for aQuick Linkto Location C Data
for a first drop
height of ...
Loop Bottom: Design Data and Rider Experience Reports
Hill Top: Design Data and Rider Experience Reports
Tap below for aQuick Linkto Location D Data
for a first drop
height of ...
Hill Bottom: Design Data and Rider Experience Reports
Tap below for aQuick Linkto Location E Data
for a first drop
height of ...
First Drop Height = 70.0 m
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Loop Design
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Hill Design
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
There are two design parameters that are important for hill tops -
the height and the radius of curvature of the hill top. Control of
these parameters allows the coaster designer to create the intended
rider experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill tops:
The accelerations are downward at the top of the loop. Gravity can
provide an acceleration up to 9.8 m/s2. For accelerations greater
than 9.8 m/s2, a safety bar must provide the remaining
acceleration. As accelerations approach 19.6 m/s2, a
dangerous condition can result. As the upward-moving riders reach the
crest of the hill, the force of the safety bar pushes the riders' flesh
and bones downward. Yet there is nothing to prevent the upward flow of
blood through the blood vessels towards the brain. The rapid rushing of
too much blood to the brain can cause some riders to redout. Without a
special G-suit, riders are at risk of experiencing the fatal condition
of breaking blood vessels in the brain.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
First Drop Height = 70.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Loop Design
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Hill Design
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
There is one design parameter that is important for a hill bottom
- the radius of curvature of the hill bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill bottom:
The accelerations of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2.
Accelerations that are this high result in the rushing of too much
blood out of the brain and a subsequent risk of riders blacking out.
While not all riders black out at this acceleration, there would be
enough that would to distract others from riding your coaster. At
accelerations greater than 60 m/s2, it would require a
special G-suit to safely ride the ride.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
First Drop Height = 60.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design
Hill Bottom Design Goals: • faster
• acceleration: ~20 m/s/s
• sensations of heaviness
• Fnorm: 3 Gs to 4 Gs
• upward a and Fnet
Hills create thrill by lifting riders partially or entirely off
their seats near the crest of the hill (D). This reduces normal forces
to 0 N, creating a weightless sensation. In extreme cases, the
acceleration is so great, that the safety bar pushes down on the
riders, creating a condition known as negative Gs. At the
hill bottom (E), riders experience large normal forces to
slow their bodies down and to provide the centripetal acceleration
required to negotiate the curve of the track. Riders may experience as
much as 3 to 4 Gs of normal force. Finally, from the
crest (D) to the bottom of the hill (E), the track has a
parabolic shape, allowing riders to experience a free fall sensation.
To begin the hill design, tap on either the top or the bottom of the
hill.
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
The one design parameter that is important for loop bottoms is the
radius of curvature of the loop bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with loop bottoms:
The acceleration of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2. Extreme
accelerations result in the rushing of too much blood out of the brain
and a subsequent risk of blackout. While not all riders blackout at
this acceleration, there would be enough that would to distract others
from riding your coaster. Accelerations greater
than 60 m/s2 would require a special G-suit.
There is a final design consideration that pertains to loops in
general. Clothoid-shape loops have a radius at the top that is about
1/3-rd the loop's height and a radius at the bottom that is about
2/3-rd the loop's height.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety
of designs.
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Top (B)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom (C)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Top (D)
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom (E)
Hills create thrill by lifting riders partially or entirely off
their seats near the crest of the hill (D). This reduces the normal
forces, resulting in 0 Gs in the case of being lifted entirely off the
seats. In some extreme cases, the acceleration is so great, that the
safety bar pushes down on the riders, creating a condition known as
negative Gs. At the bottom of the hill (E), riders experience large
normal forces to slow their bodies down and to provide the centripetal
acceleration required to negotiate the gentle curve of the track.
Riders might experience as much as 3 to 4 Gs of normal force. Finally,
from the crest of the hill (D) to the bottom of the
hill (E), the track is designed in the shape of a parabola,
allowing riders to experience a free fall sensation.
To begin the hill design, tap on either the top or the bottom of the
hill.
There is two design parameters that is important for loop bottoms
- the radius of curvature of the loop bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with loop bottoms:
The accelerations of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2.
Accelerations that are this high result in the rushing of too much
blood out of the brain and a subsequent risk of riders blacking out.
While not all riders black out at this acceleration, there would be
enough that would to distract others from riding your coaster. At
accelerations greater than 60 m/s2, it would require a
special G-suit to safely ride the ride.
There is a final design consideration that pertains to loops in
general. Clothoid-shape loops have a radius at the top that is about
1/3-rd the loop's height and a radius at the bottom that is about
2/3-rd the loop's height.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
There are two design parameters that are important for hill tops -
the height and the radius of curvature of the hill top. Control of
these parameters allows the coaster designer to create the intended
rider experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill tops:
The accelerations are downward at the top of the loop. Gravity can
provide an acceleration up to 9.8 m/s2. For accelerations greater
than 9.8 m/s2, a safety bar must provide the remaining
acceleration. As accelerations approach 19.6 m/s2, a
dangerous condition can result. As the upward-moving riders reach the
crest of the hill, the force of the safety bar pushes the riders' flesh
and bones downward. Yet there is nothing to prevent the upward flow of
blood through the blood vessels towards the brain. The rapid rushing of
too much blood to the brain can cause some riders to redout. Without a
special G-suit, riders are at risk of experiencing the fatal condition
of breaking blood vessels in the brain.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
There is one design parameter that is important for a hill bottom
- the radius of curvature of the hill bottom. Control of this parameter
allows the coaster designer to create the intended rider
experience.
There is one safety concern associated with hill bottom:
The accelerations of riders should not be greater than ~40 m/s2.
Accelerations that are this high result in the rushing of too much
blood out of the brain and a subsequent risk of riders blacking out.
While not all riders black out at this acceleration, there would be
enough that would to distract others from riding your coaster. At
accelerations greater than 60 m/s2, it would require a
special G-suit to safely ride the ride.
Click the View Design Data button to view data for a variety of
designs.
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Top
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Loop Design || Bottom
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Top
First Drop Height = 50.0 m || Hill Design || Bottom