The oldest roller coasters are believed to have originated from the so-called "Russian

Mountains", specially constructed hills of ice located in the area that is now Saint Petersburg,
Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 21 and 24 m (70
and 80 feet), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. Later, in 1784,
Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens of her palace at
Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.[6] The name Russian Mountains to designate a roller coaster is
preserved in many languages (e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but the Russian term for roller
coasters is американские горки ("amerikanskiye gorki"), which translates to "American
mountains."

The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-
eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways

See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10] By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide
amusement on days when ridership was low.

Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers climbed to
the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of
another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return
trip.[12] This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip
Hinkle introduced the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the Gravity Pleasure Road, which
became the most popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson
patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic
Railways" were soon found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon, roller
coasters spread to amusement parks all around the world. Perhaps the best known historical
roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at Coney Island in 1927.

The Great Depression marked the end of the golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks, in
general, went into decline. This lasted until 1972 when the instant success of The Racer at Kings
Island began a roller coaster renaissance which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du Throne
in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster used a triangular track and the gondolas used guide- and
upstop- wheels on the outside if this track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough
with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Unlike
wooden coaster rails, tubular steel can be bent in any direction, allowing designers to incorporate
loops, corkscrews, and many other maneuvers into their designs. Most modern roller coasters are
made of steel, although wooden coasters and hybrids are still being built.

Etymology

Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania

There are several explanations of the name roller coaster. It is said to have originated from an
early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but
the name endured.
Another explanation is that it originated from a ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of
hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor.
The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they were the first
to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is referred as
"mountain-and-valley railway". German knows the word "Achterbahn", stemming from "Figur-
8-Bahn", like Dutch "Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number 8 ("acht" in German and also
Dutch).

Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred to
kinetic energy, which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next
hill. Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical
energy is lost to friction. A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough
kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train
as it returns to the station. One notable exception is a powered roller coaster, which instead of
relying on gravity, it uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course.

In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of the Ares program.
Safety
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these. In this system, the track is divided into two or more sections known as blocks.
Only one train is permitted in each block at any given time. There is a section of track at the end
of each block where a train can be stopped if necessary, such as preventing dispatch from the
station, stopping a lift, or simply. Sensors detect when a train passes so that the system's
computer is aware of which blocks are occupied. If a train attempts to enter an occupied block,
the stopping mechanisms in all blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures
and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating
procedures further enhance safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to
control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such as whiplash. Designers typically
try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force acceleration,
which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. For negative g-
force, or the feeling of weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m s−2) as a maximum.[citation
needed]
These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration
is also typically kept under 2Gs using various techniques including the banking of curves.[citation
needed]

Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission estiThe oldest roller coasters are believed to have originated from the so-called
"Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills of ice located in the area that is now Saint
Petersburg, Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 21 and
24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. Later, in
1784, Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens of her palace
at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.[6] The name Russian Mountains to designate a roller coaster is
preserved in many languages (e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but the Russian term for roller
coasters is американские горки ("amerikanskiye gorki"), which translates to "American
mountains."
The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-
eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways

See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10] By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide
amusement on days when ridership was low.

Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers climbed to
the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of
another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return
trip.[12] This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip
Hinkle introduced the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the Gravity Pleasure Road, which
became the most popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson
patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic
Railways" were soon found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon, roller
coasters spread to amusement parks all around the world. Perhaps the best known historical
roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at Coney Island in 1927.
The Great Depression marked the end of the golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks, in
general, went into decline. This lasted until 1972 when the instant success of The Racer at Kings
Island began a roller coaster renaissance which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du Throne
in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster used a triangular track and the gondolas used guide- and
upstop- wheels on the outside if this track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough
with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Unlike
wooden coaster rails, tubular steel can be bent in any direction, allowing designers to incorporate
loops, corkscrews, and many other maneuvers into their designs. Most modern roller coasters are
made of steel, although wooden coasters and hybrids are still being built.

Etymology

Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania

There are several explanations of the name roller coaster. It is said to have originated from an
early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but
the name endured.

Another explanation is that it originated from a ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of
hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor.
The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they were the first
to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is referred as
"mountain-and-valley railway". German knows the word "Achterbahn", stemming from "Figur-
8-Bahn", like Dutch "Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number 8 ("acht" in German and also
Dutch).

Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred to
kinetic energy, which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next
hill. Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical
energy is lost to friction. A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough
kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train
as it returns to the station. One notable exception is a powered roller coaster, which instead of
relying on gravity, it uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course.

In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of the Ares program.

Safety
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these trains from colliding. In this system, the track is divided into two or more sections
known as blocks. Only one train is permitted in each block at any given time. There is a section
of track at the end of each block where a train can be stopped if necessary, such as preventing
dispatch from the station, stopping a lift, or simply applying brakes. Sensors detect when a train
passes so that the system's computer is aware of which blocks are occupied. If a train attempts to
enter an occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer systeThe oldest roller coasters are believed to have originated from the
so-called "Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills of ice located in the area that is now
Saint Petersburg, Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between
21 and 24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports.
Later, in 1784, Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens of
her palace at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.[6] The name Russian Mountains to designate a roller
coaster is preserved in many languages (e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but the Russian term for
roller coasters is американские горки ("amerikanskiye gorki"), which translates to "American
mountains."

The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-
eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways

See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10] By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide
amusement on days when ridership was low.
Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers climbed to
the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of
another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return
trip.[12] This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip
Hinkle introduced the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the Gravity Pleasure Road, which
became the most popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson
patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic
Railways" were soon found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon, roller
coasters spread to amusement parks all around the world. Perhaps the best known historical
roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at Coney Island in 1927.

The Great Depression marked the end of the golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks, in
general, went into decline. This lasted until 1972 when the instant success of The Racer at Kings
Island began a roller coaster renaissance which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du Throne
in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster used a triangular track and the gondolas used guide- and
upstop- wheels on the outside if this track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough
with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Unlike
wooden coaster rails, tubular steel can be bent in any direction, allowing designers to incorporate
loops, corkscrews, and many other maneuvers into their designs. Most modern roller coasters are
made of steel, although wooden coasters and hybrids are still being built.

Etymology

Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania
There are several explanations of the name roller coaster. It is said to have originated from an
early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but
the name endured.

Another explanation is that it originated from a ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of
hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor.
The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they were the first
to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is referred as
"mountain-and-valley railway". German knows the word "Achterbahn", stemming from "Figur-
8-Bahn", like Dutch "Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number 8 ("acht" in German and also
Dutch).

Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred to
kinetic energy, which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next
hill. Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical
energy is lost to friction. A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough
kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train
as it returns to the station. One notable exception is a powered roller coaster, which instead of
relying on gravity, it uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course.
In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of the Ares program.

Safety
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these trains from colliding. In this system, the track is divided into two or more sections
known as blocks. Only one train is permitted in each block at any given time. There is a section
of track at the end of each block where a train can be stopped if necessary, such as preventing
dispatch from the station, stopping a lift, or simply applying brakes. Sensors detect when a train
passes so that the system's computer is aware of which blocks are occupied. If a train attempts to
enter an occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures
and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating
procedures further enhance safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to
control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such as whiplash. Designers typically
try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force acceleration,
which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. For negative g-
force, or the feeling of weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m s−2) as a maximum.[citation
needed]
These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration
is also typically kept under 2Gs using various techniques including the banking of curves.[citation
needed]

Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission estimates that 134 park guests required hospitalization in 2001 and that fatalities
related to amusement rides average two per year. According to a study commissioned by Six
Flags, 319 million people visited amusement parks in 2001. The study concluded that a visitor
has a one-in-500-million chance of being fatally injured, which is less likely than being injured
in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]
Controversy about safety has increased over the years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health risk
to some people some of the time. Equally evident is that the overwhelming majority of riders
will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other thrill rides
with the potential triggering of abnormal heart conditions that could lead to death.[19] Autopsies
have shown that some of these were due to undetected, preexisting heart conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements

Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main categories: steel roller coasters and wooden roller
coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are
typically known for offering a smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer types
of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction, improve the
ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but newer variations such as stand-up and flying models
position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, is a
suspended roller coaster where the riders lie facing forward and down with their chests and feet
strapped in. Other ways of enhancing the experience involve removing the floor beneath
passengers riding above the track, as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new track
elements – usually types of inversions – are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller coaster By track layoutThe oldest roller coasters are
 Bobsled roller coaster believed to have originated from the so-called
 Dive roller coaster "Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills
 Floorless roller coaster of ice located in the area that is now Saint
 Flying roller coaster Petersburg, Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century,
 Inverted roller coaster the slides were built to a height of between 21
 Mine train roller coaster and 24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree
 Motorbike roller coaster drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports.
Later, in 1784, Catherine the Great is said to
 Mountain/Alpine roller coaster
have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens
 Pipeline roller coaster
of her palace at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.
 Side friction roller coaster [6]
The name Russian Mountains to designate a
 Spinning roller coaster roller coaster is preserved in many languages
 Stand-up roller coaster (e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but the Russian
 Steeplechase roller coaster term for roller coasters is американские горки
 Suspended roller coaster ("amerikanskiye gorki"), which translates to
 Virginia Reel roller coaster "American mountains."
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades
 Zipline roller coaster Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely
locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a
dozen imitators, but their popularity soon
declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned

to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music
hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville"
with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a
double-eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-
shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways
See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill,

Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad
used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10]
By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers.
Railway companies used similar tracks to
provide amusement on days when ridership was
low.

Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna

Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in
Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers
climbed to the top of a platform and rode a
bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track
up to the top of another tower where the vehicle
was switched to a return track and the
passengers took the return trip.[12] This track
design was soon replaced with an oval complete
circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip Hinkle introduced the
first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the
Gravity Pleasure Road, which became the most
popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be
outdone, in 1886 Thompson patented his design
of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with
painted scenery. "Scenic Railways" were soon
found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster

had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon,
roller coasters spread to amusement parks all
around the world. Perhaps the best known
historical roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at
Coney Island in 1927.

The Great Depression marked the end of the

golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks,
in general, went into decline. This lasted until
1972 when the instant success of The Racer at
Kings Island began a roller coaster renaissance
which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet

introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du
Throne in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster
used a triangular track and the gondolas used
guide- and upstop- wheels on the outside if this
track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design
breakthrough with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the
first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular
steel track. Unlike wooden coaster rails, tubular
steel can be bent in any direction, allowing
designers to incorporate loops, corkscrews, and
many other maneuvers into their designs. Most
modern roller coasters are made of steel,
although wooden coasters and hybrids are still
being built.

Etymology

Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two

roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania

There are several explanations of the name

roller coaster. It is said to have originated from
an early American design where slides or ramps
were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of
fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles,
but the name endured.

Another explanation is that it originated from a

ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled
was raised to the top of a track which consisted
of hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan
then took off down gently rolling hills to the
floor. The inventors of this ride, Stephen E.
Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they
were the first to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in

Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian

mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the
Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is
referred as "mountain-and-valley railway".
German knows the word "Achterbahn",
stemming from "Figur-8-Bahn", like Dutch
"Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number
8 ("acht" in German and also Dutch).

Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at
Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered.

Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy
accumulated by the rise in height is transferred
to kinetic energy, which is then converted back
into potential energy as the train rises up the
next hill. Changes in elevation become smaller
throughout the track's course, as some
mechanical energy is lost to friction. A
properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a
train having enough kinetic energy to complete
the entire course under a variety of stressful
weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A

train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction
motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched
roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to
traditional coasters that rely on a conventional
lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most

common method of stopping a roller coaster
train as it returns to the station. One notable
exception is a powered roller coaster, which
instead of relying on gravity, it uses one or more
motors to propel the trains along the course.

In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a

system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares
I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of
the Ares program.

Safety
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)
A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on
roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run
two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these trains from colliding. In this
system, the track is divided into two or more
sections known as blocks. Only one train is
permitted in each block at any given time. There
is a section of track at the end of each block
where a train can be stopped if necessary, such
as preventing dispatch from the station, stopping
a lift, or simply applying brakes. Sensors detect
when a train passes so that the system's
computer is aware of which blocks are
occupied. If a train attempts to enter an
occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all
blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic

controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs
work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage
various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride
engineers are also important to verify that
structures and materials are within expected
wear tolerances and functioning correctly.
Effective operating procedures further enhance
safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect

that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid
harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects
its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient
time to react to sudden changes in force in order
to control muscle tension and avoid harmful
consequences such as whiplash. Designers
typically try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–
60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force
acceleration, which increases the feeling of
weight and pushes riders downward into their
seat. For negative g-force, or the feeling of
weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m
s−2) as a maximum.[citation needed] These fall into a
range considered safe to a majority of the
population. Lateral acceleration is also typically
kept under 2Gs using various techniques
including the banking of curves.[citation needed]

Roller coasters are statistically very safe when

compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16]
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
estimates that 134 park guests required
hospitalization in 2001 and that fatalities related
to amusement rides average two per year.
According to a study commissioned by Six
Flags, 319 million people visited amusement
parks in 2001. The study concluded that a
visitor has a one-in-500-million chance of being
fatally injured, which is less likely than being
injured in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]

Controversy about safety has increased over the

years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be
subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain
injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is
evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health
risk to some people some of the time. Equally
evident is that the overwhelming majority of
riders will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar
report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other
thrill rides with the potential triggering of
abnormal heart conditions that could lead to
death.[19] Autopsies have shown that some of
these were due to undetected, preexisting heart
conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements
Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi
amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main

categories: steel roller coasters and wooden
roller coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel
tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they
are typically known for offering a smoother ride
and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are
typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when
reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer
types of track, such as I-Box and Topper
introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction,
improve the ride experience on wooden
coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the
ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving

to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of
riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but
newer variations such as stand-up and flying
models position the rider in different ways to
change the experiences. A flying model, for
example, is a suspended roller coaster where the
riders lie facing forward and down with their
chests and feet strapped in. Other ways of
enhancing the experience involve removing the
floor beneath passengers riding above the track,
as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new
track elements – usually types of inversions –
are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller By track layout
coaster
 Bobsled roller
coaster
 Dive roller coaster
 Floorless roller
coaster
 Flying roller coaster
 Inverted roller
coaster
 Mine train roller
coaster
 Motorbike roller
coaster
 Mountain/Alpine
roller coaster
 Pipeline roller
coaster
 Side friction roller
coaster
 Spinning roller
coaster
 Stand-up roller
coaster
 Steeplechase roller
coaster
 Suspended roller
coaster
 Virginia Reel roller
coaster
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster
 Zipline roller coaster

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster
By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris

Wheel lift roller coaster
 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height

Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch

Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-
foot tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed
of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great

Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.
Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world,
the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.

Several height classifications have been used by

parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the
industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster,
is a roller coaster specifically designed for
younger riders. Following World War II, parks
began pushing for more of them to be built in
contrast to the height and age restrictions of
standard designs at the time. Companies like
Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC)
developed scaled-down versions of their larger
models to accommodate the demand. These
typically featured lift hills smaller than 25 feet
(7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie
coasters soon led to the development of "junior"
models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A
notable example of a junior coaster is the Sea
Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster
from PTC's legendary designer John Allen –
which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near
Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster

§ List of hypercoasters.
A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper
coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height
or drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault
Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in
1984, was the first to break this barrier, though
the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar
Point and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of
Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters
have become one of the most predominant types
of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and
Intamin.

Giga coaster

A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a

height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The
term was cThe oldest roller coasters are
believed to have originated from the so-called
"Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills
of ice located in the area that is now Saint
Petersburg, Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century,
the slides were built to a height of between 21
and 24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree
drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports.
Later, in 1784, Catherine the Great is said to
have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens
of her palace at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.
[6]
The name Russian Mountains to designate a
roller coaster is preserved in many languages
(e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but the Russian
term for roller coasters is американские горки
("amerikanskiye gorki"), which translates to
"American mountains."

The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades

Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely
locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a
dozen imitators, but their popularity soon
declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned

to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music
hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville"
with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a
double-eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-
shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways

See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill,

Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad
used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10]
By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers.
Railway companies used similar tracks to
provide amusement on days when ridership was
low.

Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna

Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in
Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers
climbed to the top of a platform and rode a
bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track
up to the top of another tower where the vehicle
was switched to a return track and the
passengers took the return trip.[12] This track
design was soon replaced with an oval complete
circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip Hinkle introduced the
first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the
Gravity Pleasure Road, which became the most
popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be
outdone, in 1886 Thompson patented his design
of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with
painted scenery. "Scenic Railways" were soon
found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster

had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon,
roller coasters spread to amusement parks all
around the world. Perhaps the best known
historical roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at
Coney Island in 1927.

The Great Depression marked the end of the

golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks,
in general, went into decline. This lasted until
1972 when the instant success of The Racer at
Kings Island began a roller coaster renaissance
which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet

introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du
Throne in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster
used a triangular track and the gondolas used
guide- and upstop- wheels on the outside if this
track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design
breakthrough with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the
first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular
steel track. Unlike wooden coaster rails, tubular
steel can be bent in any direction, allowing
designers to incorporate loops, corkscrews, and
many other maneuvers into their designs. Most
modern roller coasters are made of steel,
although wooden coasters and hybrids are still
being built.

Etymology
Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two
roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania

There are several explanations of the name

roller coaster. It is said to have originated from
an early American design where slides or ramps
were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of
fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles,
but the name endured.

Another explanation is that it originated from a

ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled
was raised to the top of a track which consisted
of hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan
then took off down gently rolling hills to the
floor. The inventors of this ride, Stephen E.
Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they
were the first to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in

Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian

mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the
Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is
referred as "mountain-and-valley railway".
German knows the word "Achterbahn",
stemming from "Figur-8-Bahn", like Dutch
"Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number
8 ("acht" in German and also Dutch).
Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at
Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered.

Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy
accumulated by the rise in height is transferred
to kinetic energy, which is then converted back
into potential energy as the train rises up the
next hill. Changes in elevation become smaller
throughout the track's course, as some
mechanical energy is lost to friction. A
properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a
train having enough kinetic energy to complete
the entire course under a variety of stressful
weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A

train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction
motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched
roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to
traditional coasters that rely on a conventional
lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most

common method of stopping a roller coaster
train as it returns to the station. One notable
exception is a powered roller coaster, which
instead of relying on gravity, it uses one or more
motors to propel the trains along the course.
In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a
system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares
I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of
the Ares program.

Safety
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)
A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on
roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run
two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these trains from colliding. In this
system, the track is divided into two or more
sections known as blocks. Only one train is
permitted in each block at any given time. There
is a section of track at the end of each block
where a train can be stopped if necessary, such
as preventing dispatch from the station, stopping
a lift, or simply applying brakes. Sensors detect
when a train passes so that the system's
computer is aware of which blocks are
occupied. If a train attempts to enter an
occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all
blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic

controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs
work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage
various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride
engineers are also important to verify that
structures and materials are within expected
wear tolerances and functioning correctly.
Effective operating procedures further enhance
safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect

that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid
harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects
its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient
time to react to sudden changes in force in order
to control muscle tension and avoid harmful
consequences such as whiplash. Designers
typically try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–
60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force
acceleration, which increases the feeling of
weight and pushes riders downward into their
seat. For negative g-force, or the feeling of
weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m
s−2) as a maximum.[citation needed] These fall into a
range considered safe to a majority of the
population. Lateral acceleration is also typically
kept under 2Gs using various techniques
including the banking of curves.[citation needed]

Roller coasters are statistically very safe when

compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16]
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
estimates that 134 park guests required
hospitalization in 2001 and that fatalities related
to amusement rides average two per year.
According to a study commissioned by Six
Flags, 319 million people visited amusement
parks in 2001. The study concluded that a
visitor has a one-in-500-million chance of being
fatally injured, which is less likely than being
injured in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]

Controversy about safety has increased over the

years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be
subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain
injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is
evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health
risk to some people some of the time. Equally
evident is that the overwhelming majority of
riders will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar
report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other
thrill rides with the potential triggering of
abnormal heart conditions that could lead to
death.[19] Autopsies have shown that some of
these were due to undetected, preexisting heart
conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional
citations for verification. Please help
improve this article by adding citations
to reliable sources. Unsourced material
may be challenged and removed.
(March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements

Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi

amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main

categories: steel roller coasters and wooden
roller coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel
tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they
are typically known for offering a smoother ride
and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are
typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when
reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer
types of track, such as I-Box and Topper
introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction,
improve the ride experience on wooden
coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the
ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving

to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of
riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but
newer variations such as stand-up and flying
models position the rider in different ways to
change the experiences. A flying model, for
example, is a suspended roller coaster where the
riders lie facing forward and down with their
chests and feet strapped in. Other ways of
enhancing the experience involve removing the
floor beneath passengers riding above the track,
as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new
track elements – usually types of inversions –
are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller By track layout
coaster
 Bobsled roller
coaster
 Dive roller coaster
 Floorless roller
coaster
 Flying roller coaster
 Inverted roller
coaster
 Mine train roller
coaster
 Motorbike roller
coaster
 Mountain/Alpine
roller coaster
 Pipeline roller
coaster
 Side friction roller
coaster
 Spinning roller
coaster
  Stand-up roller
coaster
 Steeplechase roller
coaster
 Suspended roller
coaster
 Virginia Reel roller
coaster
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster
 Zipline roller coaster

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster

By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris

Wheel lift roller coaster
 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height
Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch
Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-
foot tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed
of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great

Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.
Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world,
the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.

Several height classifications have been used by

parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the
industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster,
is a roller coaster specifically designed for
younger riders. Following World War II, parks
began pushing for more of them to be built in
contrast to the height and age restrictions of
standard designs at the time. Companies like
Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC)
developed scaled-down versions of their larger
models to accommodate the demand. These
typically featured lift hills smaller than 25 feet
(7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie
coasters soon led to the development of "junior"
models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A
notable example of a junior coaster is the Sea
Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster
from PTC's legendary designer John Allen –
which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near
Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster

§ List of hypercoasters.

A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper

coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height
or drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault
Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in
1984, was the first to break this barrier, though
the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar
Point and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of
Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters
have become one of the most predominant types
of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and
Intamin.

Giga coaster
 A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a
height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The
term was coined during a partnership between
Cedar Point and Intamin on the construction of
Millennium Force.[23][24] Although Morgan and
Bolliger & Mabillard have not used the term
giga,[25] both have also produced roller coined
during a partnership between Cedar Point and
Intamin on the construction of Millennium
Force.[23][24] Although Morgan and Bolliger &
Mabillard have not used the term giga,[25] both
have also produced roller c

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster

By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris Wheel lift roller coaster

 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height
Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-foot
tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.

Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world, the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.
Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster, is
a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began
pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard
designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-
down versions of their larger models to accommodate the demand. These typically featured lift
hills smaller than 25 feet (7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie coasters soon led to the
development of "junior" models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a
junior coaster is the Sea Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's legendary
designer John Allen – which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster § List of hypercoasters.

A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or
drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in 1984,
was the first to break this barrier, though the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point
and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters have
become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and Intamin.

Giga coaster

A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The
term was coined during a partnership between Cedar Point and Intamin on the construction of
Millennium Force.[23][24] Although Morgan and Bolliger rd have not used the term giga,[25] both
have also produced roller cm. Multiple PLCs work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures
and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating
procedures further enhance safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to
control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such as whiplash. Designers typically
try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force acceleration,
which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. For negative g-
force, or the feeling of weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m s−2) as a maximum.[citation
needed]
These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration
is also typically kept under 2Gs using various techniques including the banking of curves.[citation
needed]
Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission estimates that 134 park guests required hospitalization in 2001 and that fatalities
related to amusement rides average two per year. According to a study commissioned by Six
Flags, 319 million people visited amusement parks in 2001. The study concluded that a visitor
has a one-in-500-million chance of being fatally injured, which is less likely than being injured
in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]

Controversy about safety has increased over the years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health risk
to some people some of the time. Equally evident is that the overwhelming majority of riders
will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other thrill rides
with the potential triggering of abnormal heart conditions that could lead to death.[19] Autopsies
have shown that some of these were due to undetected, preexisting heart conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements

Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main categories: steel roller coasters and wooden roller
coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are
typically known for offering a smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer types
of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction, improve the
ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but newer variations such as stand-up and flying models
position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, is a
suspended roller coaster where the riders lie facing forward and down with their chests and feet
strapped in. Other ways of enhancing the experience involve removing the floor beneath
passengers riding above the track, as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new track
elements – usually types of inversions – are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller coaster By track layout
 Bobsled roller coaster
 Dive roller coaster
 Floorless roller coaster
 Flying roller coaster
 Inverted roller coaster
 Mine train roller coaster
 Motorbike roller coaster
 Mountain/Alpine roller coaster
 Pipeline roller coaster
 Side friction roller coaster
 Spinning roller coaster
 Stand-up roller coaster
 Steeplechase roller coaster
 Suspended roller coaster
 Virginia Reel roller coaster
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster
 Zipline roller coaster

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster

By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris Wheel lift roller coaster

 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height
Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-foot
tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.

Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world, the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.
Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster, is
a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began
pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard
designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-
down versions of their larger models to accommodate the demand. These typically featured lift
hills smaller than 25 feet (7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie coasters soon led to the
development of "junior" models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a
junior coaster is the Sea Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's legendary
designer John Allen – which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster § List of hypercoasters.

A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or
drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in 1984,
was the first to break this barrier, though the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point
and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters have
become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and Intamin.

Giga coaster

A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The
term was coined during a partnership between Cedar Point and Intamin on the construction of
Millennium Force.[23][24] Although Morgan and Bolliger & Mabillard have not used the term giga,
[25]
both have also produced roller cmates that 134 park guests required hospitalization in 2001
and that fatalities related to amusement rides average two per year. According to a study
commissioned by Six Flags, 319 million people visited amusement parks in 2001. The study
concluded that a visitor has a one-in-500-million chance of being fatally injured, which is less
likely than being injured in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]

Controversy about safety has increased over the years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health risk
to some people some of the time. Equally evident is that the overwhelming majority of riders
will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other thrill rides
with the potential triggering of abnormal heart conditions that could lead to death.[19] Autopsies
have shown that some of these were due to undetected, preexisting heart conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
 removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements

Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main categories: steel roller coasters and wooden roller
coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are
typically known for offering a smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer types
of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction, improve the
ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but newer variations such as stand-up and flying models
position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, is a
suspended roller coaster where the riders lie facing forward and down with their chests and feet
strapped in. Other ways of enhancing the experience involve removing the floor beneath
passengers riding above the track, as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new track
elements – usually types of inversions – are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller coaster By track layout
 Bobsled roller coaster
 Dive roller coaster
 Floorless roller coaster
 Flying roller coaster
 Inverted roller coaster
 Mine train roller coaster
 Motorbike roller coaster
 Mountain/Alpine roller coaster
 Pipeline roller coaster
 Side friction roller coaster
 Spinning roller coaster
 Stand-up roller coaster
 Steeplechase roller coaster
 Suspended roller coaster
  Virginia Reel roller coaster
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster
 Zipline roller coaster

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster

By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris Wheel lift roller coaster

 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height

Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-foot

tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).
Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.

Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world, the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.

Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster, is
a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began
pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard
designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-
down versions of their larger models to accommodate the demand. These typically featured lift
hills smaller than 25 feet (7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie coasters soon led to the
development of "junior" models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a
junior coaster is the Sea Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's legendary
designer John Allen – which opened at Wyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster § List of hypercoasters.

A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or
drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in 1984,
was the first to break this barrier, though the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point
and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters have
become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and Intamin.

Giga coaster

A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a heigThe oldest roller coasters are believed to have
originated from the so-called "Russian Mountains", specially constructed hills of ice located in
the area that is now Saint Petersburg, Russia.[5] Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a
height of between 21 and 24 m (70 and 80 feet), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by
wooden supports. Later, in 1784, Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill
in the gardens of her palace at Oranienbaum in St. Petersburg.[6] The name Russian Mountains to
designate a roller coaster is preserved in many languages (e.g. the Spanish montaña rusa), but
the Russian term for roller coasters is американские горки ("amerikanskiye gorki"), which
translates to "American mountains."

The first modern roller coaster, the Promenades Aeriennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on
July 8, 1817.[7] It featured wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on
course, and higher speeds.[8] It spawned half a dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined.

However, during the Belle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887 Spanish entrepreneur Joseph
Oller, co-founder of the Moulin Rouge music hall, constructed the Montagnes Russes de
Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-
eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops.[9]

Thompson's Switchback Railway, 1884

Scenic railways

See also: Side friction roller coaster

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed the Mauch Chunk
Switchback Railway, a downhill gravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania – now known as Jim Thorpe.[10] By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became
known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide
amusement on days when ridership was low.
Using this idea as a basis, LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravity Switchback
Railway that opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, in 1884.[11] Passengers climbed to
the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of
another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return
trip.[12] This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit.[8] In 1885, Phillip
Hinkle introduced the first full-circuit coaster with a lift hill, the Gravity Pleasure Road, which
became the most popular attraction at Coney Island.[8] Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson
patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic
Railways" were soon found in amusement parks across the county.[8]

Popularity, decline and revival

By 1919, the first underfriction roller coaster had been developed by John Miller.[13] Soon, roller
coasters spread to amusement parks all around the world. Perhaps the best known historical
roller coaster, Cyclone, was opened at Coney Island in 1927.

The Great Depression marked the end of the golden age of roller coasters, and theme parks, in
general, went into decline. This lasted until 1972 when the instant success of The Racer at Kings
Island began a roller coaster renaissance which has continued to this day.[citation needed]

Steel

In 1956 French showmen Baudrier & Drouet introduced a steel rollercoaster on Foire du Throne
in Paris. This steel portable rollercoaster used a triangular track and the gondolas used guide- and
upstop- wheels on the outside if this track. In 1959, Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough
with Matterhorn Bobsleds, the first permanent roller coaster to use a tubular steel track. Unlike
wooden coaster rails, tubular steel can be bent in any direction, allowing designers to incorporate
loops, corkscrews, and many other maneuvers into their designs. Most modern roller coasters are
made of steel, although wooden coasters and hybrids are still being built.

Etymology

Steel Force (left) and Thunderhawk (right), two roller coasters at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania
There are several explanations of the name roller coaster. It is said to have originated from an
early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would
coast.[8] This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but
the name endured.

Another explanation is that it originated from a ride located in a roller skating rink in Haverhill,
Massachusetts in 1887. A toboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of
hundreds of rollers. This Roller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor.
The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, claim that they were the first
to use the term "roller coaster".[12]

The term jet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are
very popular.[14]

In many languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Contrastingly, in Russian, they are
called "American mountains". In the Scandinavian languages, the roller coaster is referred as
"mountain-and-valley railway". German knows the word "Achterbahn", stemming from "Figur-
8-Bahn", like Dutch "Achtbaan", relating to the form of the number 8 ("acht" in German and also
Dutch).

Mechanics
Main article: Physics of roller coasters
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by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Play media
Video from inside a roller coaster car (Helix at Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden)

Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up a lift hill by a chain or cable
and released downhill. The potential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred to
kinetic energy, which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next
hill. Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical
energy is lost to friction. A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough
kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions.

Not all coasters feature a lift hill, however. A train may also be set into motion by a launch
mechanism such as a flywheel, linear induction motor (LIM), linear synchronous motor (LSM),
hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Some launched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater
speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill.

A brake run at the end of the circuit is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train
as it returns to the station. One notable exception is a powered roller coaster, which instead of
relying on gravity, it uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course.
In 2006, NASA announced that it would build a system using principles similar to those of a
roller coaster to help astronauts escape the Ares I launch pad in an emergency,[15] although this
has since been scrapped along with the rest of the Ares program.

Safety
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by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters. One of these is the block system.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once, and the block system
prevents these trains from colliding. In this system, the track is divided into two or more sections
known as blocks. Only one train is permitted in each block at any given time. There is a section
of track at the end of each block where a train can be stopped if necessary, such as preventing
dispatch from the station, stopping a lift, or simply applying brakes. Sensors detect when a train
passes so that the system's computer is aware of which blocks are occupied. If a train attempts to
enter an occupied block, the stopping mechanisms in all blocks are engaged.

Another key to safety is the programmable logic controller (PLC), an integral component of a
roller coaster's computer system. Multiple PLCs work together to detect faults associated with
operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic
maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures
and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating
procedures further enhance safety as well.

Roller coaster design is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge of basic
physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must
carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable
tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to
control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such as whiplash. Designers typically
try to stay in the range of 4–6Gs (40–60 m s−2) as a maximum for positive g-force acceleration,
which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. For negative g-
force, or the feeling of weightlessness, the target is 1.5-2Gs (15–20 m s−2) as a maximum.[citation
needed]
These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration
is also typically kept under 2Gs using various techniques including the banking of curves.[citation
needed]

Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, but despite all the
safety measures in place, accidents still occur.[16] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission estimates that 134 park guests required hospitalization in 2001 and that fatalities
related to amusement rides average two per year. According to a study commissioned by Six
Flags, 319 million people visited amusement parks in 2001. The study concluded that a visitor
has a one-in-500-million chance of being fatally injured, which is less likely than being injured
in a golf cart or folding lawn chair.[17]
Controversy about safety has increased over the years as roller coasters become more extreme.
There have been suggestions that these may be subjecting passengers to translational and
rotational accelerations capable of causing brain injury. In 2003, a report from the Brain Injury
Association of America concluded, "There is evidence that roller coaster rides pose a health risk
to some people some of the time. Equally evident is that the overwhelming majority of riders
will suffer no ill effects."[18] A similar report in 2005 linked roller coasters and other thrill rides
with the potential triggering of abnormal heart conditions that could lead to death.[19] Autopsies
have shown that some of these were due to undetected, preexisting heart conditions.[citation needed]

Types
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article
by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
See also: Roller coaster elements

Cyclon roller coaster in the Nokkakivi amusement park in Laukaa, Finland

Roller coasters are divided into two main categories: steel roller coasters and wooden roller
coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are
typically known for offering a smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down.
Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and are typically renowned for producing "air time"
through the use of negative G-forces when reaching the crest of some hill elements. Newer types
of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced by Rocky Mountain Construction, improve the
ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the ability to invert riders.

Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide a variety of different experiences.
More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience.
Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but newer variations such as stand-up and flying models
position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, is a
suspended roller coaster where the riders lie facing forward and down with their chests and feet
strapped in. Other ways of enhancing the experience involve removing the floor beneath
passengers riding above the track, as featured in floorless roller coasters. Also new track
elements – usually types of inversions – are often introduced to provide entirely new
experiences.

By train type
 4th Dimension roller coaster By track layout
 Bobsled roller coaster
  Dive roller coaster
 Floorless roller coaster
 Flying roller coaster
 Inverted roller coaster
 Mine train roller coaster
 Motorbike roller coaster
 Mountain/Alpine roller coaster
 Pipeline roller coaster
 Side friction roller coaster
 Spinning roller coaster
 Stand-up roller coaster
 Steeplechase roller coaster
 Suspended roller coaster
 Virginia Reel roller coaster
 Water coaster
 Wing roller coaster
 Zipline roller coaster

 Boomerang roller coaster

 Corkscrew roller coaster
 Dual-tracked roller coaster
 Figure 8 roller coaster
 Out and back roller coaster
 Shuttle roller coaster
 Terrain roller coaster
 Twister roller coaster
 Wild Mouse roller coaster

By mechanics

 Chain-lift/cable lift/Elevator lift/Ferris Wheel lift roller coaster

 Launched roller coaster
 Powered roller coaster

By height
Family coaster: Kingdom Coaster at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a 55-foot
tall (17 m) coaster that reaches a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Mega/Hyper coaster: Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, a Bolliger & Mabillard out and back
coaster.

Strata coaster: The tallest coaster in the world, the 456-foot tall (139 m) Kingda Ka at Six Flags
Great Adventure.
Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their
roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification, the kiddie coaster, is
a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began
pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard
designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-
down versions of their sdfrise of kiddie coasters soon led to the development of "junior" models
that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a junior coaster is the Sea Dragon –
the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's legendary designer John Allen – which opened at
Wyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio.[12]

Hypercoaster

For a list of hypercoasters, see Hypercoaster § List of hypercoasters.

A hypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or
drop of at least 200 feet (61 m). Moonsault Scramble, which debuted at Fuji-Q Highland in 1984,
was the first to break this barrier, though the term hypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point
and Arrow Dynamics with the opening of Magnum XL-200 in 1989.[20][21] Hypercoasters have
become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by
manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard and Intamin.

Giga coaster

A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The
term was coined during a and Intamin on the construction of Millennium Force.[23][24] Although
Morgan and Bolliger & Mabillard have not used the term giga,[25] both have also produced roller
cht or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[22] The term was coined during a partnership between
Cedar Point and Intamin on the construction of Millennium Force.[23][24] Although Morgan and
Bolliger & Mabillard have not used the term giga,[25] both have also produced roller c