RIDE ACTIONS LIMITED

provides
ride performance
& acceleration
testing
for
the
amusement park
industry


Description of Services Provided by Ride Actions Limited

What is Acceleration Testing?

Acceleration testing is the measurement of forces being generated by an amusement ride system during normal operation...

Some groups consider this to be 'biodynamic' measurements, but it provides more information than just biodynamic forces. Ride systems found in most amusement parks have well defined operating procedures and parameters established by the owner/operator and/or ride manufacturer. Considering these standards for operation, an acceleration 'signature' can be developed for each ride system. This signature represents general acceleration waveforms of the amusement ride system during normal operation. Comparing this signature with acceleration data collected during the operating season gives the owner/operator assurance that forces being transmitted to the vehicle/guests are within their approved operating guidelines.

Similar ride systems, located at other parks can be compared using acceleration signatures. This comparison gives confidence these ride systems are equivalent to others in the corporation and the amusement industry. As can be seen, this type of program can be beneficial to a company that has a number of parks or locations with similar attractions. This same technique can be used in evaluation of equipment for purchase and acceptance of new equipment.

What Can Acceleration Testing Do For My Park?


Ride Actions Limited considers a number of items from acceleration testing beneficial to an amusement park maintenance and operations program.

Establishing and Maintaining Ride Quality

Acceleration testing allows a park to measure the forces of their amusement rides and attractions, establish baseline values for proper operation and maintenance, and maintain those standards in a measurable, documented program.

Establish Level of Risk for Rides and Attractions

Acceleration testing can establish your level of acceptable ride performance, and hence your level of risk. This information can be shared with your insurance carrier to establish your risk and show ongoing improvement and stability of your ride while being insured. This program helps control the level of risk and gives you and your insurance carrier documented support of the attraction.

Measurement of Changes Resulting from Major Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Acceleration testing can establish the level of performance of a ride prior to major maintenance and rehabilitation projects. Following work performed on large attractions, such as coaster track replacement or re-profiling, the ride can be measured to assure maintenance and quality of operation. The program maintains a documented recorded of 'before & after' performance of the ride, which can be used as a new baseline for future acceleration testing.

Assistance in Establishing Need and Location of Maintenance

Acceleration testing can assist maintenance staff in locating and determining corrective action on areas near the limits of acceptable performance. This testing program is used to follow changes in a ride, determine its rate of change, and assist in determining when maintenance should be scheduled. This is similar to other predictive maintenance programs used in the plant and facility engineering fields. The intent of this program is to assist maintenance in determining when maintenance is necessary and scheduling the work when downtime is less of a problem.

New Equipment and Facility Purchasing

New equipment purchases, especially thrill rides, require a large expenditure of money and personnel. The product you purchase has a certain level of performance you expect and need to verify as a part of the purchasing agreement. Acceleration testing can assist in the acceptance process for these large thrill rides. By establishing the level of force (G-forces) you expect from the ride during the purchase, you have a means of measuring and verifying the performance of the ride. This process can be extended to purchase of used equipment, by comparing baseline measurements from similar attractions with measurements taken on 'to be purchased' rides. Both of these examples help the park maintain the desired level of performance and risk exposure without spending additional funds to correct unseen performance problems.

Services Provided By Ride Actions Limited



Ride Actions Limited provides a wide variety of services in the acceleration testing field. The services can be a simple one-time measurement, a complete yearly program of testing, and a number of options in-between. Some of the services are described below to assist in your selection of options.

Single Ride Testing

This service provides testing of one or more single rides. These are measurements that might be performed prior to major maintenance of a ride, or a review of forces being delivered by a ride.

Ride Type Testing

This service includes measuring of similar types of rides within a park or group of parks. As an example, testing of all roller coaster systems within a park to establish a baseline for that ride system type.

Baseline Testing

This service includes measuring all rides and attractions within a park or group of parks. In this service program, a baseline is established for the park that would represent the acceptable performance baseline for the rides.

Yearly Testing Program

The service includes ongoing testing of ride systems during the operating season. This would include prior to opening, intermittent (approximately 2 times during operating season), and end of season testing for all rides, and assistance in maintenance planning from the test data.

In-House Program Development

Ride Actions Limited can develop, train, and perform QC follow-ups for an in-house staffed program. Working with your engineering staff, we can establish a testing program, provide training and assistance in establishing baselines, supply the testing equipment, and perform regular QC inspections of the program to insure proper operation. For large park groups, this program provides the greatest amount of flexibility for an active, growing program.

Waterpark Testing

Waterparks are usually not considered in an acceleration testing program, but Ride Actions Limited can service this portion of the industry. The small acceleration equipment used by Ride Actions Limited allows testing on water rides not possible with most large systems. Tube rides, water flumes, and speed slides and chutes can all be tested and acceleration data provided to document ride/slide performance.

Maintenance, Inspection, and Operations Assistance

Ride Actions Limited can provide services in the above listed areas when a problem or concern arises. Ride Actions Limited works with a number of quality, independent contractors with many years of experience and knowledge that can be tapped to assist in the correction of most problems and concerns.


Additional Services from Ride Actions Limited.


Ride Actions Limited can provide evaluations for parks, traveling shows, and manufacturing companies to determine compliance with ASTM F-24 Committee standards and guidelines for Amusement Rides and Devices.

Ride Actions Limited can provide information on new rides and attractions for designers and developers to assist in the selection process. Many times, designers look for a specific motion, a certain feeling, a desired look which will fill a need for the new area, park, or show being developed. Ride Actions Limited has a large database of information on attractions and vendors to assist in this design process.

Ride Actions Limited provides an electronic generation and scanning services for placing ride manuals, bulletins, training, and NDT Requirements in a computer format which can be viewed, printed, and/or faxed directly. This service gives owners, manufacturers, inspectors, and insurance companies ride information in an electronic format. These services can be combined with manual development for all amusement rides and attractions.

Ride Actions Limited can provide a wide variety of engineering services, utilizing internal and contract engineering personnel for the development, design, and inspection of amusement rides and attractions. Contact us for further information on these types of services.

• Consultants & Services
• Park / Management
• Safety / Inspection / Loss Control