Identifying human factors mismatches in amusement ride containment failure

Abstract

Amusement rides are a familiar and popular form of immersive entertainment. Millions of guests visit theme parks, amusement parks and carnivals for recreation every year with low incidence of injury. However, the rare event of rider ejection or extraction from restraints on a ride could have serious or fatal outcomes. This study examined human factors characteristics of these rare events to identify the nature of rider separations in relation to these patterns. Physical mismatch of patron size and the containment system was significantly associated with type of separation, with large patrons not secured and small size or cognitive disability associated with falls and ejections. This information will aid ride designers in selection of an effective containment system.