Whether you are a seasoned roller coaster enthusiast or a newbie just getting started in this exciting world, knowing some basic terms will help you better understand how these rides work. This dictionary will be especially useful for those interested in design and engineering aspects. Below is an expanded list of common terms from physics, engineering, and the amusement industry that will give you a glimpse into roller coaster from an engineer's point of view.
1. Configuration and types of slides
- 4D slide (4th Dimension) — a type of slide with rotating seats located outside the rails.
- Bobsleigh — the carriages slide freely along a trough-shaped track without rails.
- Floorless Coaster — the carriage has no floor, passengers’ legs hang freely.
- Inverted Coaster — the lining is under the rails, passengers’ legs are free.
- Laydown/Flying Coaster — passengers lie with their backs or stomachs parallel to the track.
- Motorbike Coaster - landing, like on a motorcycle or a jet ski.
- Dueling Coaster - two separate but interacting tracks.
- Racing Coaster - two parallel tracks, trains start at the same time.
- Pipeline slide — passengers are located between the rails.
- Classic Sit-down Coaster - standard configuration with seats above the rails.
- Spinning Coaster — the seats rotate along a horizontal axis.
- Stand-up Coaster - passengers are secured in an upright position.
- Swinging Suspended Coaster - the lining under the rails swings freely, without inversions.
- Wing Coaster — seats are installed on both sides of the rails, passengers hang outside the car.
- Mobius - racing on a single continuous track with two “starts”.
- Giga Coaster — height from 91 to 122 meters.
- Hyper Coaster — height from 61 to 91 meters.
2. Elements of the route and their features
- Element — a recognizable part of the track (corkscrew, loop, etc.).
- Cycle — the complete passage of a train along a route. Continuous movement is called cycling.
- Cycloid — a trajectory described by a point on a circle rolling along a straight line.
- Block — a section of the route where only one train can be located at a time.
- Hill — a concave element of the route.
- Valley — a concave section of the track. Also used if the train could not overcome the element and got stuck.
- “Bunny Hops” - a series of small hills to obtain repeated airtime effects.
- "Cobra" (Cobra Roll) — an element consisting of a half-loop and two halves of a “corkscrew” that turns passengers over twice.
- "Corkscrew" - a twisted loop with spaced input and output.
- Immelman - a loop that turns into a corkscrew and exits to the side.
- Dive Loop - half a corkscrew followed by a downward plunge. The reverse of the Immelman element.
- Inversion — a track element that turns passengers upside down.
- Full Circuit - a closed route without breaks.
- Neutral Slope — a slope at which a constant speed of movement is maintained.
- Queue — a waiting area before entering an attraction.
- Immelman - a loop that turns into a corkscrew and exits to the side.
3. Physics and dynamics of motion
- Acceleration — the rate of change of velocity over time (a = F/m).
- Accelerometer — a device that measures acceleration.
- Airtime - the “weightlessness” effect, when passengers are momentarily lifted from their seats when driving over hills.
- Centrifugal Force — a force directed outward from the center of rotation.
- Centripetal Force — the force directed toward the center of a circle when moving along a curve.
- Dynamics — study of the causes and changes of movement.
- Energy — the ability of a system to perform work.
- Force — the influence that causes a change in motion. (F = ma).
- Friction — a force that resists movement.
- Gravity — the force that attracts towards the center of the Earth.
- Inertia — resistance to change in motion.
- Kinetic Energy — energy of motion, KE = ½mv².
- Mass — the amount of substance in the body.
- Momentum — mass * velocity (P = mv).
- Normal Force — force perpendicular to the surface, N = mg or N = mgcosθ.
- Potential Energy — position energy: PE = mgh.
- Rolling Resistance — the force that prevents rolling.
- Viscosity — resistance of liquid to flow.
4. Maintenance and operation
- Track width (Gauge) — the distance between the centers of the rails.
- Linear Induction Motor (LIM) - magnetic traction without moving parts.
- Drive Tires - wheels that control the position of the train on the track.
- Technical path (Catwalk) - a narrow passage with railings along climbs or braking areas.
- Derailment - when the train goes off the track.
- Static — study of the equilibrium of stationary bodies.
- Strain Gauge - measures deformations through changes in resistance.
- Tachometer — measures the shaft rotation speed.
- Force Vector Design — calculation of the route using the formulas for g-load and time.
- Stacking — accumulation of trains at braking sections due to slow boarding/disembarking.
- Theming — visual design and plot of the attraction.
- Theoretical Throughput (THRC) — the maximum number of visitors per hour under ideal conditions.
- Imagineer — a Disney designer who combines engineering thinking and imagination.
5. Roller Coaster Terms: Abbreviations
Below is a list of abbreviations covering common terms used in the entertainment industry (in alphabetical order).
- AC — alternating current
- ARB - Anti-Roll Back protection
- ACE — American Coaster Enthusiasts
- ASTM: — American Society of Standards and Materials
- CAD — computer aided design system
- CATIA — interactive three-dimensional design (Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application)
- CARES — Council for Amusement and Recreational Equipment Safety
- CPM — Critical Path Method
- DC — direct current (Direct Current)
- DOT — direction of travel
- FEA — finite element method (Finite Element Analysis)
- FMEA — Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
- FTA — Fault Tree Analysis
- GDT — Geometrical Dimensions and Tolerances
- HMI — Human Machine Interface
- IAAPA — International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
- ISO — International Organization for Standardization
- LED - LED (Light Emitting Diode)
- LIM — linear induction motor (Linear Induction Motor)
- LOTUS - Lock Out Tag Out
- LSM — linear synchronous motor (Linear Synchronous Motor)
- LPL — Large Project Leader
- MBD — Model Based Definition
- MTBF — Mean Time Between Failures
- MTTR — Mean Time To Repair
- NDA — Non-disclosure Agreement
- NDT - Non-Destructive Testing
- OEM — Original Equipment Manufacturer
- OSHA — US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Health Care — Operator Safety System
- PERTS — method of project evaluation and analysis (Project Evaluation and Review Technique)
- PIC — Person-In-Charge
- PL — Project Leader
- PLC — programmable logic controller
- POV - First person view (Point of View)
- RA — Ride Analysis
- RAC — Ride Access Control
- RPM — revolutions per minute (Rotations Per Minute)
- SAT — Site Acceptance Test
- SBNO - Standing But Not Operating
- SLC - Suspended Looping Coaster
- SRCS — Safety Related Control Systems
- RSS — Ride Show Supervisor
- YOUR - Test and Adjust
- THRC — Theoretical Hourly Ride Capacity
- USPTO — United States Patent and Trademark Office
- VFD — frequency converter (Variable Frequency Drive)
