Aroller coaster is a type ofamusement ride employing a form of elevatedrailroad track that carries passengers on atrain through tight turns, steep slopes, and other elements.[1][2] Roller coasters are usually designed to produce a thrilling experience, though some roller coasters aim to provide a more gentle experience.[3] Trains consist of open cars connected in a single line, and tracks are typically built and designed as a complete circuit in which trains depart from and return to the sameloading station. One notable exception isRacer atKennywood,West Mifflin,PA, which has the train return to the opposite loading track due to its uniqueMöbius design. The rides are typically found inamusement parks around the world but can also be located inshopping malls[4] andzoos. TheRoller Coaster DataBase estimates there are approximately 6,000 extant roller coasters as of October 2025[update].[5]
The earliest progenitors to the modern roller coasters were the "Russian Mountains", which first appeared in the 17th century.LaMarcus Adna Thompson obtained one of the first known patents for a track-based roller coaster design in 1885, based on theSwitchback Railway which opened a year earlier atConey Island.[6][7] Today, most roller coasters arebuilt out of steel, which can allow for more intense forces and inversions (where the rider is upside down).
The oldest roller coasters are believed to have originated from the so-called "Russian Mountains"; specially constructed hills of ice located in the area that is nowSaint Petersburg, Russia.[8] Built in the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 70 and 80 feet (21 and 24 m), had a 50-degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. Later, in 1784,Catherine the Great is said to have constructed a sledding hill in the gardens of her palace atOranienbaum in St. Petersburg.[9]
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TheRiding Mountain (akaLa Grande Glisade) entertainment pavilion designed byBartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli forTsarskoye Selo royal residence was built in 1754–1757. In Russian it was known asKatalnaya gora (Катальная гора, literally "Mountain for riding")[10] It was a huge building in the shape ofrotunda. It had a trail with five hills, which could be covered with ice in winter. In the summertime, the trails used trolleys on wheels secured in the steel grooves mounted on the wooden trails. Due to a pendulum-like motion based oninertia, all five hills could be traversed in one ride.[11] The ride was engineered by Russian scientistAndrey Nartov.[10]Katalnaya gora was dismantled in 1792–1795. Currently in its place is the Granite Terrace in theCatherine Park.[10]
Two early forms of roller coaster were built in France in 1817.[12]Les Montagnes de Belleville (Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville) inBelleville, Paris had wheels attached to carriages and locked on tracks.[13]ThePromenades Aériennes, opened in Parc Beaujon in Paris on July 8, 1817[14] had wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on course, and higher speeds.[15] It spawned half a dozen imitators, but their popularity soon declined.
However, during theBelle Epoque they returned to fashion. In 1887, Catalan entrepreneurJoseph Oller, co-founder of theMoulin Rouge music hall, constructed theMontagnes Russes de Belleville, "Russian Mountains of Belleville" with 656 feet (200 m) of track laid out in a double-eight, later enlarged to four figure-eight-shaped loops.[16]
In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed theMauch Chunk Switchback Railway, a downhillgravity railroad used to deliver coal to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania – now known asJim Thorpe.[17] By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became known) was selling rides to thrill seekers. Railway companies used similar tracks to provide amusement on days when ridership was low.
Using this idea as a basis,LaMarcus Adna Thompson began work on a gravitySwitchback Railway that opened in 1884 atConey Island inBrooklyn,New York.[18] Passengers climbed to the top of a platform and rode a bench-like car down the 600-foot (183 m) track up to the top of another tower where the vehicle was switched to a return track and the passengers took the return trip.[19] This track design was soon replaced with an oval complete circuit.[15] In 1885, Phillip Hinkle introduced the first full-circuit coaster with alift hill, theGravity Pleasure Road, which became the most popular attraction at Coney Island.[15] Not to be outdone, in 1886 Thompson patented his design of roller coaster that included dark tunnels with painted scenery. "Scenic railways" were soon found inamusement parks across the county.[15]
By 1919, the firstunderfriction roller coaster had been developed byJohn Miller.[20] Over the next decade, roller coasters spread to amusement parks around the world and began an era in the industry often referred to as the "Golden Age". One of the most well known from the period is the historicalCyclone that opened at Coney Island in 1927. The onset of theGreat Depression in the 1930s, however, significantly impacted the amusement park industry and brought an end to the rapid growth experienced during the Golden Age. This aside, roller coasters were still built with varying success from location to location. In May 1932, the Scene Railway witnessed somewhat of a revival in the UK, including the opening of theroller coaster at Great Yarmouth. Today it is one of only two scenic railways still in operation in the UK.[21]
In 1959,Disneyland introduced a design breakthrough withMatterhorn Bobsleds, the first permanent roller coaster to use atubular steel track. Designed byArrow Development, the tubular track was unlike standard rail design on wooden coasters, allowing the track to bend in sharper angles in any direction, leading to the incorporation of loops, corkscrews, and inversion elements into track layouts. A little more than a decade later, the immediate success ofThe Racer atKings Island in 1972 sparked a new era of roller coaster enthusiasm, which led to a resurgence across the amusement park industry over the next several decades.[citation needed]
There are several explanations for the nameroller coaster. It is said to have originated from an early American design where slides or ramps were fitted with rollers over which a sled would coast.[15] This design was abandoned in favor of fitting the wheels to the sled or other vehicles, but the name endured.
Another explanation is that the phrase originated from a ride located in aroller skating rink inHaverhill,Massachusetts, in 1887. Atoboggan-like sled was raised to the top of a track which consisted of hundreds of rollers. ThisRoller Toboggan then took off down gently rolling hills to the floor. The inventors of this ride, Stephen E. Jackman and Byron B. Floyd, say they were the first to use the term "roller coaster".[19]
The termjet coaster is used for roller coasters in Japan, where such amusement park rides are very popular.[22]
In many languages, including mostRomance languages, the name refers to "Russian mountains". Conversely, in Russian, they are called "Американские горки" (Amerikanskiye gorki, "American hills"). In theScandinavian languages, the roller coaster is referred as "mountain-and-valley railway". German has the wordAchterbahn, stemming fromFigur-8-Bahn, relating to the form of the number 8 (acht in German). This is similar to the DutchAchtbaan, in whichacht also means "eight".[citation needed]
Roller coaster trains are not typically powered. Most are pulled up alift hill by a chain or cable and released downhill. Thepotential energy accumulated by the rise in height is transferred tokinetic energy, which is then converted back into potential energy as the train rises up the next hill.[23] Changes in elevation become smaller throughout the track's course, as some mechanical energy is lost tofriction andair drag. A properly-designed, outdoor track will result in a train having enough kinetic energy to complete the entire course under a variety of stressful weather conditions.[24]
In lieu of a lift hill, a train may also be set into motion by a launch mechanism such as a flywheel,linear induction motor,linear synchronous motor, hydraulic launch, or drive tire. Somelaunched roller coasters are capable of reaching greater speeds using less track when compared to traditional coasters that rely on a conventional lift hill.
Abrake run at the end of the circuit is the most common method of stopping a roller coaster train as it returns to the station.[23] One notable exception is apowered roller coaster, which instead of relying on gravity uses one or more motors to propel the trains along the course.
Roller coasters are statistically very safe when compared to other activities, althoughaccidents still occur. TheInternational Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) reports that a rider has one chance in 15.5 million of being injured on a ride. Also, "In a typical year, more than 385 million guests enjoyed in excess of 1.7 billion rides at approximately 400 North American fixed-site facilities". IAAPA is required to report annual ride incidents to theNational Safety Council.[25]
A variety of safety mechanisms protect riders on roller coasters.
Most large roller coasters have the ability to run two or more trains at once.
The block system prevents these trains from colliding. In this system, the track is divided into two or more sections known as blocks.
Seat restraints are used to ensure that riders stay in their seats throughout the ride.
| Type of restraint | Description | Pros | Cons | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over-the-shoulder | Secures riders' torsos using a harness that is pulled down over the rider before the ride starts. |
|
| [26] |
| Lap bar | Secures riders' laps using either a bar that's pulled from in front of riders or pulled down from above like over-the-shoulder restraints |
|
| [27] |
| Vest | Similar to over-the-shoulder restraints but uses a vest pulled tightly on the rider's torso to secure them |
|
| [28] |
| Seatbelt | Uses a belt across the rider's waist to secure them, or can be used as a fallback for other restraints |
|
|
| Locking mechanism | Description | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic | Uses hydraulic piston and fluid to lock restraints. When the restraint is pulled down, it forces liquid through a one-way valve. This liquid cannot return and thus the restraint stays closed. When the restraints are unlocked by the ride operator, an electrical signal is sent to another valve, which opens, allowing the fluid to return to the start position and letting the restraint rise. | [29] |
| Ratcheting | Uses a toothed gear and pawl to lock restraints. When the restraint is pulled down, the pawl clicks into the next tooth on the gear. The pawl cannot go in the opposite direction. When the restraint is unlocked by the ride operator, an electrical signal is sent to the pawl which moves it out of the way and lets the restraint go back up. | [30] |
Restraints use proximity sensors to determine if they are locked. If not all of the restraints are locked, the train cannot leave the station.[31]
Braking systems such as pivoting pawls are used on the bottom of the train and on the inclined lift hill. While the train goes up the lift hill, it is pulled by a chain. The pawl moves over bumps that are separated closely apart. In the event that the train ever becomes disconnected from the chain, the anti roll-back system will engage and it will fall back into the nearest downhill stop preventing the train from falling down the lift hill.[32] This system creates the loud "clicking" sound that is heard on the lift hill of roller coasters.[citation needed]
Another key to safety is theprogrammable logic controller, an essential component of a roller coaster's computer system. Multiple controllers work together to detect faults associated with operation and automate decisions to engage various elements (e.g. lift, brakes, etc.). Periodic maintenance and visual inspection by ride engineers are also important to verify that structures and materials are within expected wear tolerances and functioning correctly. Effective operating procedures further enhance safety.[33]
Roller coaster design is another important aspect that requires a working knowledge ofbasic physics to enhance ride comfort and avoid harmful strain to the rider. Ride designers must carefully analyze the movement a ride subjects its riders to, ensuring it is within a reasonable tolerance. The human body needs sufficient time to react to sudden changes in force in order to control muscle tension and avoid harmful consequences such aswhiplash. Designers typically stay in the range of 4 to 6 g (40 to 60 m/s2) as a maximum for positiveg-force acceleration, which increases the feeling of weight and pushes riders downward into their seat. High positive g-forces can lead to the sensation of agreyout or aloss of consciousness. For negative g-force (which causes the sensation of weightlessness andairtime), the target is 1.5 to 2 g (15 to 20 m/s2) as a maximum. These fall into a range considered safe to a majority of the population. Lateral acceleration is also typically kept under 2 g (20 m/s2), using various techniques including the banking of curves, which increases vertical acceleration and reduces lateral acceleration.[34]
Wheels are a critical part in roller coaster design. The purpose of wheels is to keep the train on the track and to prevent it from flying off. A majority of roller coaster wheels are made from polyurethane. There are three kinds of roller coaster wheels which include road wheels, side friction wheels, and up-stop wheels. Road wheels ride on top of the track. Side friction wheels ride on the side of the track to keep the train on the track throughout turns. Up-stop wheels ride below the track and prevent the train from lifting off the track.[35]
Some sources have shown concern over the ability of roller coasters to cause head trauma and serious injury such as the tearing of axons and damaging of blood vessels.[36][37]
Roller coasters are divided into two main categories:steel roller coasters andwooden roller coasters. Steel coasters have tubular steel tracks, and compared to wooden coasters, they are typically known for offering a smoother ride and their ability to turn riders upside-down. Wooden coasters have flat steel tracks, and is usually supported with alattice or truss. The vast majority of roller coasters operating today are made with steel.[5] Newer types of track, such as I-Box and Topper introduced byRocky Mountain Construction (RMC), improve the ride experience on wooden coasters, lower maintenance costs, and add the ability to invert riders.[citation needed]
A third classification type is often referred to as ahybrid roller coaster, which use a mixture of wood and steel elements for the track and structure. Many, for example, have a track made out of steel and a support structure made from wood.[38][39][40] RMC has notably redesigned wood coasters that have either deteriorated from age or been deemed by parks as too costly to maintain.[40][41] RMC often replaces the wood track with their patented steel I-Box track design, while reusing much of the ride's wooden structure, resulting in a smoother ride with the incorporation of new design elements, such as inversions, sharper turns, and steeper drops.[41][42]
Although the term "hybrid roller coaster" wasn't used until the 21st century, one of the oldest examples isCyclone atLuna Park, which opened in 1927.[43] It features a wood track and steel structure.[44] Other older examples includemine train roller coasters, many of which were built byArrow Dynamics.[45][46] The termhybrid became more prominent after the introduction ofNew Texas Giant atSix Flags Over Texas in 2011.[47] Many in the industry, however, continue to classify coasters strictly by their track type only, labeling them either steel or wood.[38][48]
Modern roller coasters are constantly evolving to provide a variety of different experiences. More focus is being placed on the position of riders in relation to the overall experience. Traditionally, riders sit facing forward, but variations such asstand-up andflying models position the rider in different ways to change the experiences. A flying model, for example, places riders lying down and facing forward with their chests and feet strapped in. Other ways of enhancing the experience involve removing the floor beneath passengers riding above the track, as featured infloorless roller coasters. Unique track elements, such as new inversions, are often introduced to provide entirely new experiences.[citation needed] One variation, ashuttle roller coaster, reverses at some point throughout the course of the ride to traverse the same track backwards. Parks have also experimented withusing virtual reality to augment the coaster experience.[49]
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Several height classifications have been used by parks and manufacturers in marketing their roller coasters, as well as enthusiasts within the industry. One classification, thekiddie coaster, orfamily coaster, is a roller coaster specifically designed for younger riders. Following World War II, parks began pushing for more of them to be built in contrast to the height and age restrictions of standard designs at the time. Companies like Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) developed scaled-down versions of their larger models to accommodate the demand.[citation needed] These typically featured lift hills smaller than 25 feet (7.6 m), and still do today. The rise of kiddie coasters soon led to the development of "junior" models that had lift hills up to 45 feet (14 m). A notable example of a junior coaster is theSea Dragon – the oldest operating roller coaster from PTC's designer John Allen – which opened atWyandot Lake in 1956 near Powell, Ohio.[19]
Ahypercoaster, occasionally stylized as hyper coaster, is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 200 feet (61 m).Moonsault Scramble, which debuted atFuji-Q Highland in 1984, was the first to break this barrier, though the termhypercoaster was first coined by Cedar Point andArrow Dynamics with the opening ofMagnum XL-200 in 1989.[50][51] Hypercoasters have become one of the most predominant types of roller coasters in the world, now led by manufacturersBolliger & Mabillard andIntamin.[citation needed]
A giga coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 300 feet (91 m).[52] The term was coined during the construction of theMillennium Force, a roller coaster built byIntamin onCedar Point amusement park.[53][54]Morgan andBolliger & Mabillard have both also produced roller coasters in this class.
| Name | Park | Manufacturer | Status | Opened | Height | Drop | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millennium Force | Cedar Point | Intamin | Operating | May 13, 2000 | 310 feet (94 m) | 300 feet (91 m) | [55] |
| Steel Dragon 2000 | Nagashima Spa Land | Morgan | Operating | August 1, 2000 | 318.2 feet (97.0 m) | 306.8 feet (93.5 m) | [56] |
| Pantherian | Kings Dominion | Intamin | Operating | April 2, 2010 | 305 feet (93 m) | 300 feet (91 m) | [57] |
| Leviathan | Canada's Wonderland | Bolliger & Mabillard | Operating | May 6, 2012 | 306 feet (93 m) | 306 feet (93 m) | [58] |
| Fury 325 | Carowinds | Bolliger & Mabillard | Operating | March 25, 2015 | 325 feet (99 m) | 320 feet (98 m) | [59][60] |
| Red Force | Ferrari Land | Intamin | Operating | April 7, 2017 | 367 feet (112 m) | N/A | [61] |
| Orion | Kings Island | Bolliger & Mabillard | Operating | July 2, 2020 | 287 feet (87 m) | 300 feet (91 m) | [62] |
| Tormenta Rampaging Run | Six Flags Over Texas | Bolliger & Mabillard | Under construction | 2026 | 309 feet (94 m) | 285 feet (87 m) | [63] |
A strata coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 400 feet (120 m). As with the other two height classifications, the termstrata was first introduced by Cedar Point with the release of Top Thrill Dragster, a 420-foot-tall (130 m) roller coaster that opened in 2003.[64]Kingda Ka was the second strata coaster, and it opened atSix Flags Great Adventure in 2005 as the tallest roller coaster in the world with a height of 456 feet (139 m). Top Thrill Dragster closed in 2021 following an incident in which a guest was severely injured while standing in line.[65] The ride was subsequently refurbished and modified, and it reopened in 2024 asTop Thrill 2.[66] Kingda Ka closed on November 10, 2024.[67]
Superman: Escape From Krypton, a 415-foot (126 m) coaster, operated atSix Flags Magic Mountain from 1997 to 2024. It was not typically classified as a strata coaster due to itsshuttle coaster design, where trains do not travel a complete circuit.[64][68]
| Name | Park | Manufacturer | Status | Opened | Modified | Height | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Thrill 2 | Cedar Point | Intamin andZamperla[a] | Operating | May 4, 2003 | May 4, 2024 | 420 feet (130 m) | [69] |
| Kingda Ka | Six Flags Great Adventure | Intamin | Removed | May 21, 2005 | — | 456 feet (139 m) | [70] |
An exa coaster is a type of roller coaster with a height or drop of at least 600 feet (180 m).[71] The termexa was first introduced by Intamin for Falcons Flight, a 640-foot (200 m) coaster expected to open atSix Flags Qiddiya in 2025.[72][73] Upon completion, it will be the tallest roller coaster in the world, surpassing the previous record once held by the now-defunctKingda Ka.[74]
| Name | Park | Manufacturer | Status | Opening | Height | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons Flight | Six Flags Qiddiya | Intamin | Under Construction | 2025 | 640 feet (200 m) | [75] |
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