How to Design a Roller Coaster
People who enjoy the thrill of riding a roller coaster often dream of designing their own exciting and breath-taking ride. With the application of a few basic principles of physics and an unlimited imagination, you can design your version of the ultimate roller coaster experience.
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Instructions
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Ride as many different types of roller coasters as you can and identify your favorite features. Observe which roller coasters are the most popular by noting the number of people waiting in line. Poll people as they exit the ride to determine how well they liked the experience. Ask them for pros and cons and have them tell you what they would do to perfect the ride.
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Decide what type of roller coaster you wish to design. A roller coaster can provide a variety of thrill levels, from mild to terrifying. It can be traditional in design, with wooden tracks and swaying cars, or exhibit a more modern design with sleek steel tracks. You also must choose how long and how varied you'd like your ride to be.
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Design the individual components of your roller coaster with the basic principles of physics in mind. Plan the number of curves, loops and hills to maximize both speed and safety. Plan tunnels, twists and turns according to the thrill level of your ride. Consider how the height, shape and angle of the hills will affect the coaster's speed. You'll need to design a braking system that works with the forces of friction and gravity to safely stop the ride. You'll also want the cars to hold the maximum number of riders (to cut down on unpopular wait times) but still meet weight requirements for safety.
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Use Internet-based simulators, found on websites such as Glencoe and Funderstanding, to test and improve upon your design. Software products such as Roller Coaster Tycoon and No Limits Rollercoaster Simulation can provide extra hours of enjoyment and challenge, and give you design ideas as well.
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