A reader recently asked me for my thoughts on how roller coaster design is changing. Specifically, he wanted to learn more about growing trends and new technology. I decided I would share my response with the rest of you and am very interested in YOUR feedback. A couple trends in roller coaster design that immediately came to my mind:
1. Blurring the line between wood and steel roller coasters
2. More efficient design techniques
3. “wing” coasters are hot
A traditional wood coaster’s track was made on-site by carpenters. Today, some designers are turning towards different types of prefabricated track manufactured to perfection in a machine shop before being shipped to the construction site resulting in a smoother ride. Some of these new rails include more steel than traditional wood coasters. One of these new hybrid wooden coasters being built in Missouri will apparently go upside down too – a wooden coaster first since since Son of Beast’s loop was removed in 2006.
To see how roller coaster design has evolved take a look at Millennium Force at Cedar Point, opened in 2000, and Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion, opened in 2010. This is a good case study because they are both similar 300 foot rides built at Cedar Fair owned parks, designed and manufactured by Intamin, and each cost $25 million. Just by looking at pictures of the lift hills you can see how coaster design evolved in just ten years – steeper lift angle, faster cable lift, fewer supports needed, etc.
In terms of rider experience and vehicle design, the current trend is what are called “wing” coasters (or wingriders or 4d coasters) where the seats are cantilevered off the side of the train instead of on top of or below the rails. There are four variations of this concept:
1. Fully winged (X-Flight @ Six Flags Great America, Wild Eagle @ Dollywood)
2. Partially winged (Skyrush @ HersheyPark)
3. Free spinning seats (Green Lantern @ Six Flags Magic Mountain)
4. Controlled rotatable seats (X2 @ Six Flags Magic Mountain)
Do you agree with me? Comment below to share what you think are the current trends and progression of roller coaster design.
I also think that in addition to Winged trains, we are also seeing an increase in open train design in general. Take a look at all of the “normal” Intamin trains – they have no sides. Additionally, B&M have been working on the V-shaped hypercoaster trains.
Thanks for the feedback Ryan. I totally agree with you there. Premier’s new coaster trains found on Sky Rocket and Superman: Ultimate Flight are also very open with no sides. Good observation!
I think the new ride designs are becoming alot more complex like X-flight. I went on X flight and it was definitely a cool experience. And once you go on left side the fun isn’t over cause you can try the right side. I can’t wait to see more of the new designs engineers come up with in the next few years.
Another trend in recent years has been restraint tech. Designers are trending away form traditional over shoulder aunts for inverting coasters and doing either lap restraints and ergonomic seats or over head restraints with some kind of rubber matt over shoulders and chest.
Aka: new vekoma trains
. B&M wing/flying coasters
. Premier launch coasters
And RMC’s new trains for Outlaw Run
Thanks Kyle. Restraint design has to be one of the most challenging aspects of roller coasters designs – to safely secure the widest range of body sizes as possible. I appreciate the designers trying to create more open and comfortable restraints (some with mixed succes, see the comments in our Skyrush review http://www.coaster101.com/2012/05/29/skyrush-review/comment-page-1/#comment-57086). Hopefully we’ll seee even more improvements in this area in the future.