Roller coasters are fun theme park staples and require much planning, resources, time, and hard work to build. There are regulations governing each region that guide the building of large structures; consider these before any further planning is done to construct a roller coaster.
Tools and Materials
- Steel and other building materials
- Heavy machinery
- Engineers
- Papers and other design tools
- Electronic motor
Instructions
- Track down the government officials that regulate the building of structures like roller coasters. Inquire about legal procedures, regulations, and requirements and resolve all the necessary paperwork. Starting the construction of a roller coaster without first completing this aspect of the planning is ill-advised and very risky.
- A single person is unable to build a roller coaster on their own. A team of engineers, architects, surveyors, and laborers should be assembled. Have an architect either design the roller coaster or proofread your design to advise you on its feasibility.
- Heed the advice of architects, and surveyors as they’ll inform you on space requirements, design specifications, and cost for supplies. Do not try to go cheap on materials and labor, as quality materials will build an optimally secure roller coaster.
- After the site has been prepared, start the construction of the roller coaster by gauging the total length. Calculate the altitude of the initial hill to establish the speed for the rest of the ride. Consult the dimensions of existing roller coasters to get an idea of what dimensions you desire.
- The initial slope will determine the force it will carry for subsequent slopes. Design a slope with a curvature at the lower portion, and a flat path for the best results.
- The slope at the exit path, where the coaster moves following the first hill, must be low for safety reasons.
- Ideally, 230 feet is perfect for hill height; it is at this level that anyone riding on the machine experiences the effect of weightlessness, which is an essential part of any roller coaster ride.
- Design the loop as a circle or elliptical shape at 115 feet high or less.
- Add final touches to the roller coaster such as individual seats, safety gates, and seat belt straps.
Tips and warnings
- A large roller coaster will inevitably take a longer time to design, approve and complete than a smaller one. It is important to go through the processes of building a roller coaster with patience, as accidents happen when the construction of a roller coaster is done in haste.
- Have your roller coaster inspected regularly and periodically, during and after construction. The inspection must be done by qualified personnel.
- Test the machine thoroughly before opening it for public use. Hire trained persons to assist passengers and attend to emergency complications once the roller coaster is in use by the public.