Analysis of Hypercoaster Layout
Most hypercoasters feature elements that are unique and common among roller coasters. |
|
Lift Hill
The traditional lift hill is found on all hypercoasters except Millennium Force. At the base of the lift, chain dogs
below two or more trains engage the sprockets of the chain. After cresting the apex of the hill, the chain dogs
disengage the chain. The chain lift also helps to scare riders. The slow (or fast depending on which coaster) ascent,
and click-clack sounds let the riders know what's coming up next... that 1st drop!
Millennium Force features a elevator lift. At the base of the lift, a cable attaches to the train and the train ascends the
hill. This type of lift is used to make a steeper lift hill.
|
Pre Drop & First Drop
The pre-drop actually has two features. It helps the coaster reach a higher speed down the first drop, and it scares riders that are not in the first row.
The first drop is usually the tallest & steepest drop on a hypercoaster. On coasters without a pre-drop, the front of the train usually hangs over the drop longer and the back gets jolted over the top much faster. |
|
|
|
Parabolic Hills
Parabolic hills are usually the second and/or third hill.
Parabolic hills usually produce floater airtime. They
are not as violent as bunny hops. |
Trenches
Trenches are used on many hypercoasters to increase the sensation of speed. Special effects (look at picture) are sometimes used in trenches. Trenches can also help increase drop lenght and speed. |
|
|
|
Diving Drop
Magnum XL-200 was the first hypercoaster with a
diving drop. The second hill of Magnum dives to
the left. Generally L-shaped hypercoasters and
hypertwisters feature diving drop. Diving drops
help conserve space and combine airtime and
lateral g's.
|
Turnaround
See page on turnarounds. |
|
|
|
Tunnels
Tunnels are found on most roller coasters. These
structures are either underground or track coverings.
Underground tunnels help to increase the drop lenght
and speed of a hypercoaster. Desperado was the first
hypercoaster to feature an underground tunnel. The
first coaster to feature a tunnel with steel
covering over the ride was Magnum XL-200. Tunnels
usually feature special effects such as fog,
lights, and/or sounds.
|
Helix
The helix is one of the most common elements. Helices date back to the golden age of roller coasters (1920's). A helix is a continuous curve that maintains a constant radius over more than 360 degrees. A helix is typically 540 degrees or more. The helix comes in two varieties, ascending and descending. An ascending helix climbs upward and a descending helix rolls downward. |
|
|
|
Fan Curve
A fan curve is a curve that enters the turn while
ascending and exits the turn while descending. Fan
curves are generally more thrilling than a flat turns.
The overbanked turns on Millennium Force and
Superman: Ride of Steel (SFNE) are fan curves.
|
Midcourse Brake Run & Trim Brakes
The midcourse brake run is found on all hypercoasters except for the S:ROS's and Millennium Force. The purpose of the midcourse brakes is to increase ride capacity. Each midcourse brake run can increase a ride's train capacity by one. All hypercoasters except the three S:ROS can handle three trains because of a midcourse brake run. (Note: Millennium Force has three trains because MF has a load and unload platform plus a braking section before the unload platform.
Trim brakes are used on hypercoasters before turnarounds, bunny hops, and inversions. Amusement parks and theme parks use trim brakes to reduce wear and tear on the track, and to reduce ride intensity (lateral and vertical g's). Nitro features trim brakes before its bunny hops. Magnum XL-200 features trims before the pretzel knot, and Steel Phantom once featured trims before the vertical loops.
|
|
|
|
|
Bunny Hops / Speed Bumps
Bunny hops (or speed bumps) are small hills taken at high speeds. Speed bumps usually induce ejector airtime. A series of two or more bunny hops is called a speed run. Most hypercoasters feature a speed run. Intamin, DH Morgan, and Bollinger & Mabillard are known for designing excellent speed runs that induce lots of airtime. |
|
|
|
Double Up
Steel Force and Mamba are the only hypercoasters
with double ups. A double up is an upward hill that
levels out halfway up the incline. The double up is
used to increase airtime.
|
Station
The station... the station... the... station! What is there to say? Stations come in many shapes and sizes. Hypercoaster station usually aren't heavily themed.
Pictures courtesy of www.CoasterGallery.com, Used by permission.
|
|
