Rotating Turntable Loading Layout for Continuous Ride Boarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement park attractions face inefficiencies in passenger loading due to slow boarding times, leading to reduced throughput and increased waiting times, as ride vehicles must often stop or slow down to accommodate late-loading passengers.
Innovation Solution
A loading system utilizing a rotating turntable with a loading path and track switches that allows ride vehicles to continue moving at nominal speeds, enabling passengers to unload and load while rotating, with the option to re-loop vehicles back through the loading path if they are not fully occupied, maintaining continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If ride vehicles come to a complete stop to allow loading passengers extra time, then passenger loading time is improved, but attraction throughput is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system is segmented into multiple independent lanes (first lane and second lane) that operate simultaneously. The first lane handles vehicles that need extended loading time, while the second lane maintains continuous throughput. This segmentation allows the system to address slow-loading passengers without stopping all vehicles, thus resolving the contradiction between providing extra loading time and maintaining attraction throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of different loading lanes based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors occupancy status and directs vehicles to appropriate lanes, allowing the system to adapt to varying loading speeds and demands. This dynamic allocation ensures that vehicles with slow-loading passengers receive additional time while other vehicles maintain continuous movement, balancing loading time requirements with throughput optimization.
2Productivity
If ride vehicles slow down or stop for late-loading passengers, then boarding efficiency is improved, but waiting times are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system divides vehicles into different groups based on their loading status and directs them to separate lanes. Vehicles that are slow to load are routed to the first lane which operates at a reduced pace, while vehicles that load quickly proceed through the second lane at full speed. This segmentation allows the system to improve boarding efficiency for specific vehicles without increasing waiting times for others, as each lane operates independently at its own optimized speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different operational characteristics to different parts of the loading system. The first lane is designed with slower speed and extended loading time characteristics to accommodate vehicles with slow-loading passengers, while the second lane maintains faster speed for vehicles that load efficiently. This local differentiation of operational quality allows the system to optimize boarding efficiency for specific vehicle groups without compromising the experience or increasing waiting times for other passengers.
3Productivity
If all ride vehicles move continuously through the loading zone, then attraction throughput is improved, but loading passengers are not given enough time to board
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous loading process is segmented into two parallel lanes with different operational tempos. The first lane provides extended loading time for vehicles with slow-loading passengers, while the second lane maintains continuous high-speed operation for vehicles that are quickly loaded. This segmentation enables the system to maintain overall attraction throughput through the second lane while providing adequate boarding time to all passengers through the first lane, resolving the contradiction between continuous movement and sufficient loading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically routes vehicles to different lanes based on real-time occupancy status and loading speed. The controller monitors each vehicle's progress and directs it to the appropriate lane, allowing the system to maintain high throughput overall while ensuring that vehicles with slow-loading passengers receive the necessary time. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize both throughput and loading time simultaneously by allocating resources based on actual vehicle needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
An attraction loading system comprises a turntable, where the turntable is configured to rotate, a loading path disposed around the turntable, wherein a ride vehicle is configured to move along the loading path, an attraction path coupled to the loading path, and a controller configured to direct the ride vehicle from the loading path onto the attraction path or to direct the ride vehicle to re-loop the loading path.