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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."

4 of 20 comments (clear)

  1. Fred? Really? by Ashurbanipal · · Score: 2

    I sort of assumed roller coaster designers and test engineers used Mary Jane.

  2. G-force isn't the problem by booch · · Score: 2

    The problem isn't really the G-forces (acceleration) involved. The more important factor is the "jerk", or change in acceleration. Acceleration is what causes you to move in the opposite direction of the movement. Jerk is what causes you to change the rate or direction of that movement. The jerk is what is harmful to your body, in particular your neck.

    --
    Software sucks. Open Source sucks less.
  3. 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;
  4. Re:Action Park! by rocur · · Score: 2, Informative

    Funniest damn thing I've read in months. You can find the original article by Matthew Callan at Freezerbox.