Test Track at Epcot: Coaster or Not?

micrip, your partly right about the opening delay. However, it was more like 2 years of delay, not months.

And it's true that Test Track's ride system was entirely produced in-house. The problems and expense associated with it are one reason why DCA received entirely off-the-shelf ride systems. Manufacturers like Intamin provide performance guarantees and warranties, something in-house designs don't offer.

------------------
Touchè, teacher, touchè.

---

Michael Darling said:
Wooden-
GM had nothing to do with the production of the ride other than sponsoring it once it opened.

Test Track is WDI born and raised.

------------------
- John, who hopes people realize that WDI stands for Walt Disney Imagineering
Homepark: Cedar Point
Home-away-from-homepark: Paramount's Kings Island

---

No... I remember seeing that show wooden is talking about, and from what I remember, the actual cars on the ride were a joint effort between GM and WDI. As in GM produced them for WDI. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that being how it went.

------------------
Sceintific progress goes boink?

Test Track's tires were designed by an contracted firm. GM was involved in designing the vehicles. The ride system, however, outside the physical attraction cars, was entirely developed by WDI.

The ride's opening was delayed by two years due to two primary problems. First, the tires were wearing out far too quickly. Second, the computer system has immense difficulty in keeping track of each of the 29 ride vehicles. Often, block violations would shut the ride down.

------------------
--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
May the Schwarz be with you.

IIRC, Test Track was designed to run more vehicles than it has in recent past (this may have changed since my last visit). The ride was designed to run 30 vehicles (with one spare) but computer difficulties didn't allow more than 26 or so to run at a time. This was part of the reason #4 load was never used.

It was brought to my attention recently that #4 load is now being used, so I would assume that most of the zone-stop problems have been solved.

As for the tires wearing out too fast their solution was to switch to a layered tire. Each layer essentially peels off and below is a fresh layer ready to be worn away. Before switching to the layered tires the lifespan of a tire rarely exceeded a few days at best. I believe they now last a month or so.

A few random tidbits-
* The trackbed is painted with the same paint used on aircraft carrier decks to repel water
* The vehicles run on 660 volts, IIRC
* Fastpass was first used on Test Track as a means to help combat the 5+ hour lines that developed shortly after the ride opened
* The Test Track ride vehicles are theoretically capable of speeds exceeding 90MPH.
* Whatever you heard about cars flying off the track isn't true. There were problems with cars getting stuck (as in lodged) along the track during testing, but none ever flew off.
* There are at least three Hidden Mickeys on the ride (not including the queue). Bonus points to anybody who can name them. Extra bonus points to anybody who can name more than I know about.
* The truck driver in the "evasive manuver" is actually a cardboard cutout of President Nixon (or is it Pres. Carter? I can't remember).
* There have been instances where the doors (the wall) in the crash test haven't opened. They are made of lightweight foam and are hinged at the top so that this isn't really a problem. There is at least one extra set in a cabinet about six feet away. According to one cast member this happened at least once a month for a while.
* One word- "Moo"
------------------
- John
Homepark: Cedar Point
Home-away-from-homepark: Paramount's Kings Island