Future of Rollercoasters

I am writing a paper for English and would like any help anyone would be willing to offer. Please don't tear me apart because this is just my first step. I am going to work off of what I find here. My topic is - Predict the future for roller coasters. Can anyone give me any insight or plans for anything in the making that will be out in a few years? Thanks guys, I'm only posting here because you're the experts, you are the ones that have links and knowledge. Please help me however you can!

well there is of course the 3D coasters which people seem to like (i don't), that could be one way coasters could go, otherwise there is building bigger, faster rollercoasters such as TTD and new prototypes such as X (4th dimension) and air/ S: UF (flying coaster - B&M). The ablilties of computers have helped significantly as you are now able to design a complete coaster as in real life on the computer before building it, this also helps structurally, on where supports need to be place. you could give a description of how roller coasters are getting higher and higher, such as 100 feet from 1989-2000, then 100 feet from 2000-2003. Also the new innovations for the new coasters such as themeing- ie Nemesis: Inferno's Volcano and drop into it, also the lighting affects it has. anyways good luck

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Colossus [1]
Nemesis: Inferno [6]

Yeah thanks for the good ideas. I guess I can look back at the progress coasters have made and find the rate at how high they are getting. Maybe make some sort of equation or something, but what is the absolute fastest a coaster can get, is there a maximum velocity? Also, what is too high for supports? I guess I'll have to figure that out for my paper. Thanks.

People say that X (SFMM) has come way before it's time....... the coaster would have to come out sooner or later. They would be saying the same thing in perhaps 2050 if it came out. It just doesn't make sense.
*** This post was edited by Anaconda 4/14/2003 12:08:46 AM ***

That would be a good idea, remember the S&S Power Air Launch coaster at PKD. Since it is the first one in the US that is open to the public (one in S&S Plant, Salt Lake City) Hypersonic XLC is 160 ft high and shoots you of at 80 mph in 1.8 seconds. It you think about it, it is one hell of a launch. Newer technology could make them taller, faster and more reliable. Good Luck, hope you get an A+
*** This post was edited by Anaconda 4/14/2003 12:15:21 AM ***

With many parks running out of room for new rides expect more rides with smaller footprints

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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.

Thanks for your help guys... just more to consider when writing this. Does Rideman have anything to say about this type of stuff. He's the genius with how everything works and what's new.

coasterzak

you may want to check out coasterglobe.com in their history section. It shows coasters from the very beggining and will also help show how they have progressed and should give you an idea of where they are going.

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I am one.
I am Turbo.

While no one knows the future...many can predict it ;) I can offer you a little help.

My company is called the "The Future of Roller Coasters." And getting directly to your point. I don't think for one minute the surface of what the future of Roller coasters is has even been scratched!

Most people say well there is only steel or wooden coasters. Maybe, but that will change in years. It's also like saying there is Flour and Sugar. Mix it with some other great ingredients and "whalal!" One great dish...same with a coaster just mix it with a few other things.

There are many closely guarded patents out there from many people. Is it hard to find them, yes. No one is just going to say, "hey, I have this great idea" and show it all around. But there are places you can go to see new things and hear new things about the very close future. There will be many leaps and bounds that are in years to come. Don't just look for coasters to be at amusement parks, and don't just think they will only get taller and faster.

In your report, study the past, and keep your mind open to the future. It really is true that you and everyone else makes the future. Just let the creativity flow with facts and you can't go wrong. Good luck with the paper!

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"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod

Another thing you can add - the tallest, first wooden coaster to have a loop was Son of Beast.

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Tales for the L33t

coasterzak said:
what is the absolute fastest a coaster can get, is there a maximum velocity? Also, what is too high for supports?

I don't think there really is a maximum velocity or height restriction on supports. After all, if you went back 50 years and asked people those same questions, they probably would be amazed to know that coasters are now over 400 ft and 100 mph. Plus, I don't think there really is a mark that is "too high for supports". They could build supports as tall as any building...The question is, would people ride a coaster that tall. The other question to answer is, who would pay to build a coaster that tall/fast. It would cost way too much money (at least in todays terms...maybe not 100 years from now).

Hope this gives you some additional direction.

Sean

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"Ever hear of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates...Morons!"

I teach a course here at the University entitled The Amusement Park in American Society. Just a few ideas you might explore in your paper ...

l. Rather than continuing to grow bigger and more extreme, at least some coasters will begin focusing on smoother, more comfortable rides. That's because there is a growing number of patrons growing older, and if they want to keep those boomers as paying customers, parks must consider their tastes.

2. Regardless of whether they try to be more extreme or more comfortable, the days of wheel on rail may be about to be replaced by mag lev technology. That uses magnetic suspension like monorails, and metal never touches metal. That means no friction, so a smoother ride, and the potential for much higher speeds. Now, there's a hitch to this. Maglev works fine on long, relatively level tracks. As a coaster hits the bottom of a dip, under the current forcefield, the cars will "bottom out," hitting the tracks. They're working on increasing the magnetic field to apply more upward pressure on the cars.
To research this, go to maglev, mass transit, monorail, etc., and go to the research labs at Carnegie Mellon, MIT, CalTech, Ga. Tech, and others.

3. There is also some work being done on ceramics as a surface to replace steel. New synthetic ceramics have fewer tiny imperfections than steel, do not expand and contract as much under heat and cold, and do not rust. One strategy might be to use ceramic wheels on steel rails.

4. At the extreme edge, many experts think turning people upside down has about run its course. They look for a decade of incredible heights and incredible speeds, with as few turns as possible since they slow trains down. Designers are thinking they might rather build very long straight trackage with small dips close together as a way of providing numerous bursts of airtime. You may see a revisiting of the Jackrabbit drop (Kennywood), with a very high fast drop interrupted by two or three dips partway down.

Very very helpful guys. I don't know what I'd do without you! Well my teacher said that I can't just say they will continue to get faster or taller, but rather I must predict something exact for the middle of the century. The thesis must be very specific and he suggested saying that coasters will indeed hit a limit of height and speed and I told him this would never be reached. I guess I'm going to have to go with a specific type of coaster at a specific park at a certain height and speed with certain elements. I'll see what I can think up.

I think the future of roller coasters are going to be jet prupultion making lift hills obsolete. With speeds unheard of, and heights beyond belief. The trains will be futureristic and enclosed. The trains will have air cushion suspension for the smoothest ride ever.

I'm still waiting for that inverted log flume. ;)

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"They want you to take the rolls."- Cory Matthews "Did you know that the hole's only natural enemy is the pile?" -Bart Simpson

Maybe we'll put one of those on the moon, because I'm sure we'll be living there.

I would encourage you to deffinately study patterns of the past as a major part. As far as something exact goes, expect to be suprised. That is the only thing that will stay constant. The future of roller coaster will be a roller coaster ride of innovations. You could share recent concepts to show the ammount of change happening at a fast pace, like the cutdown of jumps in 100 ft. height increments, (10 years to 3 years) to show how rpid change will come. New ideas are coming about so fast that something you predict could be here a whole lot faster than you think. Whatever is included in your paper, don't lock the reader onto a track because the future is truely unpredictable.

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If you can't beat your computer at chess, try kickboxing.

coasterzak said:
Yeah thanks for the good ideas. I guess I can look back at the progress coasters have made and find the rate at how high they are getting. Maybe make some sort of equation or something, but what is the absolute fastest a coaster can get, is there a maximum velocity? Also, what is too high for supports? I guess I'll have to figure that out for my paper. Thanks.

For how fast a coaster can go, I would say the Maximum Speed GRAVITY could make the train go is 180mph. Terminal Velocity is at 180mph (the fastest you could fall at) so I don't see why it wouldn't be the same here. But thats not saying you couldn't get LIMs or something to launch the train even faster.

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http://coasterplace.web1000.com

Well there may not be a maximum height or speed. But I am pretty sure that there is a maximum G limit, considering that not every human body is the same, some can withstand some more, others not as much.

I know that it dosen't really make a difference on speed but sudden accelerations and de-acclerations do.

You guys take over from here.....

Well there may not be a maximum height or speed. But I am pretty sure that there is a maximum G limit, considering that not every human body is the same, some can withstand some more, others not as much.

I know that it dosen't really make a difference on speed but sudden accelerations and de-acclerations do.

You guys take over from here.....