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2012 - 11th Annual NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
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Session Time :
8/1/12 1:30 PM - 8/1/12 2:45 PM
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Content Area : NC State Undergraduate Research Awardee
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Lead Student Presenters : Michelle Elizabeth Phillips
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Co-Presenters :
Sarah Butz
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Co-Presenters :
Jamie Yannayon
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Co-Presenters :
David Lenz
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Abstract Title : Thrill-Cost Analysis of Roller Coaster Elements
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Abstract :
The field of roller coaster production—including design, manufacturing, and marketing—is a niche with high entry costs in terms of capital and specific knowledge. The goal of a roller coaster is to produce a heightened state of thrill for the rider. Ideal coasters maximize rider thrill while minimizing production cost. Few previous academic studies on this subject exist, as industry data is largely proprietary. This study seeks to open the field to academia, while specifically focusing on determining the ideal basic coaster element among loops, downhill drops, corkscrews, and in-line twists. Quantitative thrill in this study is defined as the reciprocal difference between force experienced by the user and allowable force as per ASTM International standards. To collect force data, rider acceleration was recorded on multiple coasters of varying elements using accelerometers. Cost data was determined through volumetric analysis of the corresponding track and supports for each element. To validate assumptions necessary for calculation of quantitative thrill, survey data was collected from amusement park patrons. While loops were the most purely thrilling elements based on quantitative data alone, downhill drops were significantly less costly. Therefore, the thrill per cost ratio from experimental data suggests that downhill drops are the most efficient of the basic elements. Survey data suggests that thrill may not be a function of force alone, as most respondents found downhill drops the most purely thrilling. However, the survey data does correlate with the overall thrill per cost ratios.
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Mentor and/or Co-Author : Jerome P. Lavelle
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