In the early 19th century, The Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway became the prototype for roller coasters in the United States. It was a gravity railway built in 1827 to haul coal about nine miles between coal mines. Gravity forced the cars carrying one-and-a-half tons of coal downhill, which were later brought back up by mules when emptied. Naturally, people were curious about this fascinating, new invention and wanted to try it for themselves. In 1873, at its peak, Mauch Chunk carried 30,478 adrenaline-rushed passengers, each for just 75 cents. Now, millions of people every year willingly seek the thrill of roller coasters, enticed by the fast speeds, towering heights, and stomach-churning sensations caused by rapid acceleration and changes in direction. Yet, for roller coasters to bring joy to millions worldwide, two crucial roles are dedicated to ensuring these experiences are not only enjoyable but also as safe as possible.

A roller coaster engineer is a certified engineer who designs and maintains amusement park rides, including roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and carousels. This type of engineer typically oversees the construction process and coordinates with construction crews to help translate blueprints into physical structures. Roller coaster engineers typically work for private construction or design firms and have many duties like creating blueprints for rides and attractions, calculating the velocity, determining ride safety features, and providing guidance for construction. Once the roller coaster is built, however, it doesn’t stop there; it is the duty of the roller coaster technician to perform daily safety checks on park attractions and rides and attend to any repairs. They have to perform preventative maintenance, repairs, and overhauls on rides, equipment, and facilities ensuring complete compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and park standards. While both jobs are very distinct from one another, they are equally as important for ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all riders. Roller coaster engineers focus on the design, safety, and innovation aspects of roller coasters, while roller coaster technicians are hands-on professionals who install, maintain, and troubleshoot the mechanical and electrical systems of the rides.

While some people enjoy the greater speed, higher height, and steeper drops of steel roller coasters, others might prefer the “rougher,” and more nostalgic feeling of a classical wooden roller coaster. One of the reasons why someone wouldn’t prefer a wooden roller coaster over a steel one is because wooden coasters tend to be more bumpy and rougher. This is because wood is a natural material that can warp and shift over time, causing the coaster track to become uneven and leading to a bumpy ride. Wooden coasters often have a lot of lateral movement compared to steel coasters, which can make the ride feel more jarring. The design of wooden coasters is often more focused on creating a thrilling and intense experience rather than providing a smooth ride. This can include steep drops, sharp turns, and sudden changes in direction that can make the ride feel more rough. Maintenance and upkeep can also play a role in the rocky experience of wooden roller coasters. If the track is not regularly inspected and maintained, it can become more rough over time.

Thanks to new groundbreaking discoveries by scientists in the field of physics, we now enjoy not only safer but also more thrilling rides. For example, the advancement in the field of physics has allowed for one of the biggest thrills on a roller coaster, going up and down on a loop, to exist. As you travel through a loop, inertia – the tendency of an object to resist change in its state of motion – pushes you outwards and keeps you in your seat. Gravity tries to pull you down, but the stronger acceleration force counters this, pushing you first sideways and then upwards.

Ever wonder why roller coaster loops are not a perfect circle? Well, this is because scientists have discovered that it takes a greater amount of acceleration to get the train around a perfectly circular loop. With teardrop-shaped loops, the radius of curvature changes as you move through the loop. It is larger at the bottom and sides of the loop and smaller at the top. This reduces the acceleration required at the sides. From a physics point-of-view, there is a lot more that could be done on a roller coaster but the human body is a limiting factor. One way people are looking to push roller coasters to the limit is with virtual reality, The virtual reality industry is growing at a fast pace, with the global VR market size projected to increase from less than 12 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 to more than 22 billion U.S. dollars by 2025 so it is no surprise that people are hopping quickly on this train to popularize virtual reality roller coasters. VR has numerous advantages when it comes to amusement park rides. It can revitalize old roller coasters, and it is easier and cheaper to update than a physical ride. It is easier to change, offering different, perhaps even seasonal or topical, experiences.

As the field of physics continues to advance, the new information discovered every day by scientists can continue to push the boundaries, introducing new innovations and ideas that contribute to more exhilarating rides and enjoyable experiences.