Restraints

Restraints are used to prevent riders from standing up or from falling out of a roller coaster car while it is in motion. Almost all modern roller coasters have some form of restraints. Small roller coasters typically use less restrictive restraints such as lap-bars, seatbelts, or both, while larger roller coasters with more extreme forces or inversions tend to use over-the-shoulder restraints or tightly-fitting lap-bars.

History

The first roller coasters had no restraints, but were tame in comparison to modern rides. The invention of the lap-bar allowed faster roller coasters with more extreme forces to be built.

Over-the-shoulder restraint was introduced by Arrow Dynamics for use on Corkscrew at Knott's Berry Farm, the first modern inverting roller coaster.

Technology

Restraints on a train are typically locked all at once by a bar between the rails in the station, which is lowered. They are subsequently released when the bar is raised at the end of the ride. On looping coasters from Arrow Dynamics, each car's restraints are unlocked by a foot pedal located on the side of the car. Usually, each individual restraint or each car has a manual override which is used to release the restraints in the event of an evacuation. On some roller coasters, the restraints are locked and released with electrical power transferred to the train through contacts in the station. To manually release this type of restraint, a battery box is connected to the car to supply power.

Accessibility

Universal Studios Singapore invites guests to sit in the test seat before joining the queue for Battlestar Galactica

The restraints and seats on a ride are designed to accommodate people of different heights and sizes. Height restrictions enforced by ride operators prevent people who are too short to be safely restrained from riding. Some rides and coasters have a "test seat" near the entrance which allows people to check whether they can be accommodated by the ride before joining the queue line.

Types

• Lap bar
• Motorbike
• Over-the-shoulder harness
• Seat belt (often used in conjunction with another restraint)
• Vest harness