The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) hosts a series of valuable international conferences and expos. The IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo 2016 was held in Shanghai at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in mid-June, including a reception on the evening of opening day of Disneyland Shanghai, and a day visit to the park on Day 2.
Continue reading “Disneyland Shanghai”Author: Kathryn Woodcock
Dr. Kathryn Woodcock is Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching, researching, and consulting in the area of human factors engineering / ergonomics particularly applied to amusement rides and attractions (https://thrilllab.blog.ryerson.ca), and to broader occupational and public safety issues of performance, error, investigation and inspection, and to disability and accessibility.
Parksmania recognizes ride accessibility initiative
During the IAAPA Europe, Middle East and Africa Spring Forum at Gardaland Park in Peschiera del Garda, Italy, THRILL Lab Director Dr. Kathryn Woodcock was honoured with a Career Special Award for Professional Merit. This award recognized her leadership in the attractions industry project promoting expanded accessibility and risk-informed rider eligibility for rides.
Continue reading “Parksmania recognizes ride accessibility initiative”Who makes attractions safe?
There are many people involved in setting standards that make amusement rides and devices safe. The ASTM F24 standards are used in 19 countries, and counting. The committee has almost 900 members, and holds meetings three times annually. Meetings held in USA have almost 300 people participating in multiple concurrent sessions, literally poring over language used in standards to ensure that people following the standards will interpret the requirements as intended.
Continue reading “Who makes attractions safe?”Roller coaster-to-be
(Click to see finished ride.)
Sabbatical
Orlando: the company town for themed entertainment.
The THRILL Lab is about to spend some extended time in Orlando. We’ll be learning, writing, watching, and riding our way to progress on the rider eligibility / ride analysis challenge and tools for human factors applications in the attractions industry.
Continue reading “Sabbatical”Human factors and access to amusement rides
Human factors engineering looks at how the interaction of people and technology affects the performance of the whole system. The attractions industry creates a very interesting application because it doesn’t manufacture conventional products or other tangibles. An amusement ride is a system that produces fun. People are not consumers of the ride; they are a component of the system. The system is different with different people in it. Not only do people vary in their individual capabilities and limitations, but they also vary in their goals and definitions of fun.
People with disabilities want to have fun too, and attraction operators in theme parks and carnivals want everyone to be able to participate to the fullest extent possible.
Continue reading “Human factors and access to amusement rides”Detour to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Meetings at the IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo allowed time for a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, including the terrific new attraction “Mystic Manor”.
TEA webinar viewing 7 October 1p.m. RCC359A on Ryerson campus
Pick a Duck
Opening Day
Wearing an insulated jacket and still feeling chilly, I did a round of the midway before the opening this morning. No students today, though all are advised to check out the fair from now to Labour Day to watch how the guests interact with the rides — and with each other around the rides. Rides don’t exist for their own purposes. They exist to do something meaningful for the guest, on a sensory level or a social level, or both.
Continue reading “Opening Day”