Government Intervention

What do you all think about the possibilty of the government regulating "G-forces" on coasters? Do you think this would affect TTD? My opinion, the government should be more concerned with other issues rather than butting into our fun. It's your choice to ride, you should know the possibilites of what could happen.

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Blue Gemini Always Wins

The G forces on TTD will not be any higher at any point than any other coaster in the park! This is because a large curve is used in the pull up and pull out on the ride to make the G's less. Just because the ride will do 120 mph doesn't mean that it pulls a ton of G's. It is designed properly to pull less than 5 G's probably!

Top Thrill Man is right. I don't believe the government has any intention of taking over the industry, it's just one lousy senator that is getting a lot of media attention. Look at these two features on Coasterbuzz that are related to the topic:

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/editorial/editorial.asp?FeatureID=3023

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/editorial/editorial.asp?FeatureID=2104

Sorry for the long addresses, my link feature won't work for some reason.

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-Chris Woodard
"If you're standing in an uncomfortable position, that means you are in the right position because you are riding Mantis!" - Mantis ride op doing spiels on closing day.

The government doesn't know much about this stuff as we all do. You only expereince these high "g-forces" for such a small amount of time. It's not like taking off in the space shuttle like they like to comapre it to.

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Blue Gemini Always Wins

Politicians and lawyers can always argue either side of an issue.

CNN.com has an article posted today (22-Jan) discussing findings that roller coasters in fact do not pose a serious risk for brain injury:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/01/22/roller.coasters.ap/index.html

Most of us know this is true--coasters are perfectly safe for most folks without preexisting conditions when ridden properly, in accordance with the park's instructions.

Western Cruiser is right by saying pre-existing injuries, and existing injuries that are unknown to each particular individual. What will unfortunatly happen is that those with these conditions will ride rides and be hurt or killed, not by the ride itself, but by these unknown conditions. The media and general public will believe that it is the amusement industry's fault and start pushing for these regulations.

Those who enter the armed forces, particularly those who fly in fighter jets go through extensive tests looking for these problems, the common person on the street does not have these tests because there is no reason to.

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The best thing about Six Flags "Worlds of Adventure" is that Cedar Point is nearby!

The media tends to forget to tell the whole story. Most ride injuries are due to rider error anyway. Those precaution signs are there for a reason. Most of us don't read them. Next time you are in line read one of these precaution signs. They cover most of these issues. My wife doens't understand me riding these rides as they get more extreme. I'm a mechanical Engineer and have always known the dnagers behind anything mechanically driven and for that matter struturally supported. I guess it's the thought of something happening to me that keeps me on edge and wanting more. I always tell her "If i die riding a rollercoaster at least i'll die with a smile on my face and doing something I enjoy!

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Blue Gemini Always Wins

Everybody says "400 feet, the g's are going to be off the charts". You never hear them say how this ride also has the worlds highest and most gradual pullouts in addition to its record speed and hieght.

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Enjoy your ride on the Big Bad Bug

I think that all this is taken into account when the ride is designed in the first place.

TTD will not exert any force on its riders that they cannot handle. Obviously, those with health issues that would be a threat to their health if riding any thrill ride (high blood pressure, neck or back problems, etc.) should exercise rational judgement and not ride the ride. It would not be fair to the ride or CP if someone rode a thrill ride knowing of their ailments, then blame the ride or park if they suffer any adverse effects from riding.

Just remember, we are not astronauts, and even with high "g forces" we only experience them for a second if that. The human body cannot take high g-forces for lengths of time. Astronauts experience high g-forces for a duration of time not like a coaster where it is a second or two.

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Blue Gemini Always Wins

At the end of the CBS News last night they had a little statement on coasters. They said that many people have suspected roller coasters to be the cause of injury to some people, but a recent study has concluded that they are indeed safe. Last year roller coasters caused less injuries than children's toys and lawn chairs. Finally a national news report says what we have been saying for years...and this time without a, "But how can we really be sure" clause at the end.

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What is most anticipated event of 2003? the debut of Dragster, the release of Metallica's new album, the release of Terminator 3, or the release of Matrix:Reloaded...tough call.

Somthing else they are not taking in account is bluestreak being as small as it is give off more g's than ttd will give the reason they are attacking ttd is because this is the first time anything of this size has been built this is kind of off the subject but i am in a wheelchair and i have noticed that people are scared of what they dont understand well thats basically the same with ttd...... please dont flame me for this if im wrong about bluestreak but in another thread it was also said that bluestreak gives off more g's than any other coaster in the park

Actually, Wildcat seems to be the one that keeps comming up as having the most g's, but it wouldn't surprise me if Blue Streak is up there too.

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-Chris Woodard
"If you're standing in an uncomfortable position, that means you are in the right position because you are riding Mantis!" - Mantis ride op doing spiels on closing day.

Wildcat pushes alot of g's...more than MF I believe...but doesn't get "safety issue" attention be cause it's so little.

...And that is an important point when you're considering risk assessment. If you take a look at the database over at www.saferparks.org, you'll find that the kiddie coasters are often responsible for more, more serious injuries than the big ones are!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

All the media cares about is money! The truth of any story is irrelevant as long as the story boosts ratings. They know as much about roller coasters as a nun does about fornicating!

Amen to that!

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Blue Gemini Always Wins

Actually, redbrigade, I heard on NPR yesterday morning that somebody has just issued a new study about that.....

(well, sort of, anyway)

Actually it's a pretty serious issue...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I'm surprized the government hasn't linked coasters to terrorism yet...

This is the coaster that Dan rides...This the park that built the coaster, that Dan rides....This the truck that brought the coaster to the park, that built the coaster that Dan rides....This is the factory that built the coaster parts, that loaded the truck, that were taken to the park, that built the coaster that Dan rides.... And these are the Godless people that were smoking pot and driving SUV's before they designed the coaster, that the factory built, that loaded the truck, that was taken to the park, that built the coaster that Dan rides. Dan must be a terrorist....

Top Thrill Dragster will more than likely, pull less vertical g-forces than Xcelerator (4.1) due to such huge pull in/out for the top hat. And, the launch's acceleration will be a bit less powerful than Xcelerator's (2.3 at launch, 2.1 at end of launch). Remember, Xcelerator 0-82 in 2.3 seconds, while Top Thrill Dragster is 0-120 in around 3.8 seconds. The goverment won't regulate this crap outside of New Jersey. The studies have proven roller coasters are safe and Markey is a nut-case.

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-Adam Black
E-Stop Webmaster
The Emergency Stop