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Testing Roller Coasters WIth Fred

Posted by timothy on from the add-wilma-for-gender-parity dept.

An anonymous reader submits: "An AP article looks at the science of roller coaster testing. In general, a coaster must pass a "Fred" test, Fred being something analgous to a crash test dummy used in the automobile industry. Fred has a bunch of sensors in him that record data during the ride's operation and provide it all to engineers ensuring a ride's safety. Also discussed is pending regulation over G-Forces in New Joisey."

2 of 20 comments (clear)

  1. Is this even necessary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I mean, I thought coasters were designed with custom CAD systems that could compute the forces at any point in the ride.

    Unless "Fred" can scream or say "Dude, that was awesome/lame/whatever!" at the end, I'm not sure what "he" contributes.

  2. Never a shortage of stupid people... by jspayne · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Spend enough time a coaster parks and you will soon see that there is no shortage of stupid people - the don't read the signs, cut in line, don't fasten their seatbelts, try to stand up... Two weeks ago I was at Six Flags America in Maryland and gaped in disbelief as two parents watched their child crawl underneath the platform for a large spinning ride (Music Express type). I'm sure if the kid got hurt they would sue the park.

    Maybe we should be handing out Darwin awards instead of legislating the fun out of these places.

    j;