Rollercoaster restraints, and why as a 300lb man I should not be worried about it, as long as it locks? What forces are at play with the safety systems and how are those designed so that some one like me does not extert enough force to break the restraint during the ride?

Question

Rollercoaster restraints, and why as a 300lb man I should not be worried about it, as long as it locks? What forces are at play with the safety systems and how are those designed so that some one like me does not extert enough force to break the restraint during the ride?

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Answer 1

Usually roller coasters are designed in such a way to avoid negative G-forces and anything which would really strain the restraints at all. This is simply because to do so would make riding the attraction unpleasant. Instead riders are expected to be pushed against more suitable surfaces like the seat.

But another factor is that the restraints are typically vastly over-engineered. Often restraint belts are capable of holding 5000 pounds; the rider is going to break before the restraints!