August 26, 2021

"One of the world’s fastest roller coasters, the Do-Dodonpa can hurtle from a standstill to 112 miles per hour within 1.56 seconds."

"But local government officials at the Yamanashi Prefecture said last week that the roller coaster would shut down for safety inspections after four passengers reported neck and backbone fractures.... Kimie Konishi, a Fuji-Q Highland spokeswoman, said... that all passengers were instructed to maintain contact with head and back rests, but some of the injured passengers told park employees that they might have leaned forward during the ride.... ... Fuji-Q Highland is known for its memorable advertising plea last year when it reopened with new pandemic-related restrictions: 'Please scream inside your heart.'"

18 comments:

gilbar said...

This seems expensive. I don't have ANY Idea what the entry fee is; but it Still seems expensive

There are So Many ways, to cause yourself bodily injury... That are absolutly Free of Charge
Playing in traffic on a busy freeway
Jumping off progressively taller buildings (I lived through the 5th floor jump! Can't Wait to try 6!
The ever popular (as seen on TV), going into an urban area; and shouting some particular word

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Last time I saw Ashley Force she was doing well over 300 MPH in just over 4 seconds. And she had to control the car.

Scott said...

In the pursuit of thrills, roller coaster designs of 100 years ago would actually hurt people. Today we have well-engineered coasters, presumably, so this is a surprising story.

Here is a Master's thesis on roller coaster design by a grad student in Finland.

Enigma said...

Amusement parks have generally gotten out of control by increasing thrills beyond the body's margin of safety.

I visited a rollercoaster park several years ago. The rides opened before the 1990s were all physically easy. Scream, don't scream. Raise your arms or leave them down. It didn't matter. Those opened in the last 20 years break your body. Side-to-side pendulum swings that make you sick and twist your neck. "Roughness bolts" next to the tracks to add harsh vibrations. Pain. Pain. Pain. I felt ill for hours after just 3-4 rides.

And let's not forget the boy decapitated in 2016 on a waterslide.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/boy-decapitated-on-kansas-waterslide-passengers-claim-it-was-clearly-unsafe

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

The best roller coasters are the ones without loops. the old fashioned ones.
Sadly - they are being discontinued. (and the old wood-framed coasters.)
over a decade ago - I went to Disneyland Orlando for the first time. one of the newer coasters at the time was a ride named "Everest" ? I think. That thing gave me what felt like whiplash. I vowed - never. again.

The best coaster at Disneyland-Oralado is the magic kingdom park adventure area with the sort-of raiders of the lost ark themed mine-ride coaster. I forget the name. I loved that ride. really fun and no loops or headaches. Rode it at night while the fireworks were going off and everyone was over there.

Dave Begley said...

The Chinese culture is really quite bankrupt in every way possible.

I've made this comment before. I met a real Chinese movie person at the Casa del Mar hotel bar in Santa Monica when I was pitching my "Frankenstein, Part II."

I asked the guy about Hong Kong as it was in the news then. He said that the Chinese people don't care about free speech or what kind of government they have as long as they make money and can go on vacations. My take: Bread and circuses of the worst sort. Give the plebes a scary roller coaster and everything is fine. Human rights? Who cares!

Joe Smith said...

Never visited this one, but have been on other coasters (Disneyland) that start like a bat out of hell.

It is similar to flooring it in a Tesla with the larger battery pack...a bit shocking.

I can't believe this kind of acceleration is good for anyone with even the slightest health issues.

We are already pretty close to maximum acceleration in autos because of traction issues. On rails, not so much.

What is the limit a normal human can withstand?

Joe Smith said...

'The Chinese culture is really quite bankrupt in every way possible.'

Now do Japan...

Yancey Ward said...

I am old enough to remember when The Beast was the pinnacle of the coaster experience.

Ann Althouse said...

@Dave Begley

The roller coaster in question is in Japan. Can't blame the Chinese for everything!

Big Mike said...

Zero to 112 mph in 1.56 seconds works out to 3.25 Gs. That’s a lot of force to put on your body if you aren’t physically fit.

MikeR said...

Just some kids having fun

Cheryl said...

“Please scream inside your heart.” That is absolutely hilarious.

In Dave Begley’s defense, I did think “this is the most Chinese thing ever” until I reread the post! Still crazy!

Howard said...

April Apple wood love the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Built in 1924 max speed 55-mph 70-feet high. The SC BW also features a beautifully restored Looff carousel. Both landmarks are fully operational. Be sure to grab the brass ring when you come around.

The Big Dipper at Geauga Lake Park in Ohio built in 1925 was more thrilling but alas is no more.

JPS said...

NYT says I've hit my limit on free articles, so maybe they address this:

Does the coaster have some massively powerful propulsion system? For 0-112 mph in 1.56 seconds, I get an acceleration of 3.27 G.

(112 mph = 50 meters per second, reached in 1.56 s, so acceleration is 32 meters per second per second. Not physically impossible, but - damn.)

typingtalker said...

I can do the Gs but I hate getting wet -- which is a "feature" of some thrill rides.

Dave Begley said...

I've got China on my brain.

Bob said...

Euthanasia Coaster.