Coaster Friction - Wheel types

[Vampiro]

Something that keeps popping up every now and then is the coaster friction.
I must admit i'm no expert in coaster design or coaster mechanics, but i was thinking about a somewhat realistic approach to changing the friction of a coaster.

I found an article about coaster wheel materials. For example, Nylon wheels result in slightly faster (but rougher) rides while Polyurethane is more comfortable but has a higher friction.

I would love to see something like this in the game. Let's just say you can choose between 3 wheel types :

Polyurethane - Default
Nylon - 15% less friction but 10% higher maintenance costs
Forged Steel - 30% less friction but 20% higher maintainance costs

Once again, im no expert on this matter so other materials migth be better choices, and the numbers are not entirely true, but i just wanted to pitch an idea to make coaster friction a bit variable with a realistic approach

Example :

 

[Chems]

I like this idea. Currently all coasters seem to experience a bit too much friction, especially the wooden coasters.

 

[LN]

I remember an episode of Mega Builders on Discovery Channel where they where building Tatsu in Six Flags mountain and during testing they actually switched individual wheels with different materials just to sync the entire ride to perfection. Different wheels had several kind of results. I like this idea!

 

[Crowdpleaser]

Yes this is an awesome idea, and will help those having trouble building realistic sized Coasters Wooden more so than others. +1 from me

 

[mr.sugar]

Sounds good, but if anything, slider would be better. This is not NL2 afterall and this sounds like something that does not belong to PC. Just my 2 cents.

 

[2012Jarrett]

^Remember, RCT3 had a similar "Low Friction" option, so it has been done before.

Storm Chaser has actually run three different wheel types since it opened (poly, nylon, and now steel which I still need to ride) and riding the two you can certainly tell it makes a difference! I love this idea! Only thing is I don't think certain manufacturers have certain types of wheels in certain materials. Intamin makes poly wooden coaster wheels and I know RMC uses the three I mentioned, but I don't think there are B&M steel wheels anywhere, for example. The option should only exist on coasters where different wheel materials are a thing in real life, in my opinion.

And thanks for that chart, I was actually looking for it when arguing with another enthusiast (who is a degreed engineer) about whether or not switching Chaser's wheel material would make it faster in the end. Had to scribble out the whole proof out because I couldn't find the chart for some idiot that somehow got a master's degree without understanding rolling resistance.

 

[LN]

^Remember, RCT3 had a similar "Low Friction" option, so it has been done before.

Storm Chaser has actually run three different wheel types since it opened (poly, nylon, and now steel which I still need to ride) and riding the two you can certainly tell it makes a difference! I love this idea! Only thing is I don't think certain manufacturers have certain types of wheels in certain materials. Intamin makes poly wooden coaster wheels and I know RMC uses the three I mentioned, but I don't think there are B&M steel wheels anywhere, for example. The option should only exist on coasters where different wheel materials are a thing in real life, in my opinion.

And thanks for that chart, I was actually looking for it when arguing with another enthusiast (who is a degreed engineer) about whether or not switching Chaser's wheel material would make it faster in the end. Had to scribble out the whole proof out because I couldn't find the chart for some idiot that somehow got a master's degree without understanding rolling resistance.

Steel wheels are only used on wooden coasters, so not strange that B&M doesn't use them.

 

[Big Draco]

This would lead nicely into the ability to swap coaster bodies or (better yet) be allowed to design your own (not sure how that would work but it should be something anyone could do without needing a PhD in Sketchup).

 

[En Anu]

Good idea