Testing coasters - dummies should obey physics

robertwallace

R
If you have a ride camera looking back on the test dummies during a coaster's test ride, you'll notice that they are unaffected by the ride's physics. They could be a good, quick indication of the smoothness or jerkiness of your ride, where the air time is best, etc., but they are currently used only to simulate loading weight for your cars. I suggest that they react like guests would.

Robert
 

DistortAMG

D
Robert said:
If you have a ride camera looking back on the test dummies during a coaster's test ride, you'll notice that they are unaffected by the ride's physics. They could be a good, quick indication of the smoothness or jerkiness of your ride, where the air time is best, etc., but they are currently used only to simulate loading weight for your cars. I suggest that they react like guests would.

Robert
Click to expand...

I like them how they are, this is how they are in real life, on real coasters.
 

robertwallace

R
Robert said:
I've never actually seen real coasters being tested with dummies. How do they keep the 100-200+ lbs of mass from moving around in the seat during the ride?

Robert
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OK, I've googled some pics.

It seems to vary. Some are just headless, limbless chunks, obviously being used for their mass alone:

96I7hoo.jpg


But some are full human-shaped:

KGS6nA9.png


And some clearly show that the boss doesn't want any head-banging on this ride.

6NJIE97.jpg



Which answers my question about how they secure the mass.


And some are fully-instrumented and used to test for ride forces - something we'll be getting in PC later on -- the resulting measurements, at least.

VuvTexe.jpg



Still, since PC is using full-bodied dummies and they haven't strapped all their necks together, I think It would be more natural if they moved a little.

Robert
 

RJGEvans

R
I think this is a nice idea, but I think ride metrics and smoothness wpuld be far better (and more easily) delivered via the dummies electronic display, which you have a picture of. Dummies can report when there is a rough patch wothin the ride. Perhaps a simple line graph display dips, both negative and positive, would be a neat solution?
 
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AH_ImADot

AH_ImADot
I've seen the dummies flop forwards when the deceleration is to high, and I've seen the heads wobble a bit on curves.
 
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RJGEvans

R
ImADot said:
I've seen the dummies flop forwards when the deceleration is to high, and I've seen the heads wobble a bit on curves.
Click to expand...

As I do possess the game right now, could you record this and upload the clip for us, please? I would like to see this for myself.
 

Bitter Jeweler

Bitter Jeweler
They kinda just wobble, even standing still. I haven't seen lateral movement in regards to curves. I have seen lunging forward, but not due to braking.
Uploading video....

[Edit] I reproduced forward lunging with braking...that video also coming....
 
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robertwallace

R
Some of the cars have seats so form-fitting that you couldn't wiggle your ass or turn your head to scratch your ear. Dummies would be useful only for car load tests for these.

Personally, I've found that any coaster that has to bundle your head up so much is going to be way too jerky for my tastes.

I like my Gs smooth as wind-carved snow. [happy]

Robert
 

Bitter Jeweler

Bitter Jeweler
Here's one. I went back and made the last curve extreme, and there is no lateral movement, but they lunge at the brakes.

[video=youtube;Rp_V4hDuhHU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_V4hDuhHU[/video]
 
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