A Retrospective Study of Amusement Ride Restraint and Containment Systems: Identifying Design Challenges for Statistically Rare Anthropometric Cases
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Old Dominion University ODU Digital Commons Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations Engineering Spring 2016 A Retrospective Study of Amusement Ride Restraint and Containment Systems: Identifying Design Challenges for Statistically Rare Anthropometric Cases Paula M. Stenzler Old Dominion University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/emse_etds Part of the Biomechanical Engineering Commons, and the Systems Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Stenzler, Paula M.. "A Retrospective Study of Amusement Ride Restraint and Containment Systems: Identifying Design Challenges for Statistically Rare Anthropometric Cases" (2016). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, DOI: 10.25777/hdcd-x768 https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/emse_etds/6 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Engineering Management & Systems Engineering at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF AMUSEMENT RIDE RESTRAINT AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS: IDENTIFYING DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR STATISTICALLY RARE ANTHROPOMETRIC CASES by Paula M. Stenzler B.S. May 1992, University of Central Florida M.S. May 2013, New England College A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY May 2016 Approved by: Holly A. Handley (Director) Rafael E. Landaeta (Member) T. Steven Cotter (Member) Kathryn Woodcock (Member) ABSTRACT A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF AMUSEMENT RIDE RESTRAINT AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS: IDENTIFYING DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR STATISTICALLY RARE ANTHROPOMETRIC CASES Paula M. Stenzler Old Dominion University, 2016 Director: Dr. Holly Handley The intent of this project was to conduct a retrospective study of amusement ride restraint and containment systems’ failures to identify the challenges associated with existing design criteria to safely accommodate statistically rare groups that fall outside amusement industry standards. Innovations in ride technology provide an opportunity for injuries to occur if restraint and containment systems cannot properly accommodate unique patron anthropometry. It is paramount to understand how anthropometric features contribute to the patron’s ability to defeat ride restraint and containment systems. A systemic perspective was used based on industry accident data to frame the problem associated with restraint and containment systems failures. This project examined how ergonomics, applied across anthropometric characteristics, affected guest safety, how cognitive ability influenced patron judgment, and how non-compliant patron behavior increased the risk for injuries. This retrospective study governed data management efforts that collected, organized, and evaluated accident data which yielded measures for patron characteristics, ride features and accident events. A design methodology was developed that incorporated statistical tests that established group differences between the project accident data and industry control data. Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Tests were used to determine statistical significance for ride and patron categorical variables. Independent tests for physical limitation, cognitive ability and behavior showed a positive association for type of iii failure mode. A Kruskal Wallis non-parametric test for the mean age across ride types was performed that showed a positive association. A logistical regression model was constructed combining predictor dummy variables for anthropometric mismatch, diminished capacity and behavior for the binary dependent variable for not-secured or ejection/fall failure mode. The outcome of this project produced retrospective statistical data and provided a forcing function design guidance matrix to overcome amusement ride restraint and containment design challenges associated with unique patron anthropometry. iv Copyright, 2016, by Paula M. Stenzler, All Rights Reserved. v This Doctoral Engineering Project is dedicated in memory of my parents Angela and Robert. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people who have contributed to the successful completion of this doctoral project, and I extend my sincere gratitude to my internal and external committee members, my colleagues, friends, and most of all – my family. I want to express my deepest appreciation to my doctoral program director, Holly Handley, Ph.D., P.E., Assistant Professor, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, for her exceptional support and for her unwavering guidance throughout the program. It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Handley over the last three years, and she will always be a mentor and true friend. I want to thank Rafael E. Landaeta, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Director of Undergraduate Program, Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, for his expertise in project management and risk assessment. The framework development for the deliverable work product of this doctoral project employed several risk management strategies conveyed by Dr. Landaeta. I want to recognize T. Steven Cotter, Ph.D., for his guidance and assistance in the design methodology section of this paper. His expertise in multivariate analyses guided my efforts to design bivariate and multivariate analyses for the development of a logistic regression model required to prove there is a significant association between predictor variables and the dependent variable associate with the problem statement. For the faculty members that I have had the pleasure to be a student of as part of this doctoral program, I want to extend my appreciation to Andres A. Souza-Poza, Ph.D., Charles Keating, Ph.D., and Charles B. Daniels, Ph.D., whose knowledge has shaped my understanding of systems engineering. vii A very special thank you to Kathryn Woodcock, Ph.D., P.Eng for participating on my external committee and sharing her immense knowledge of the industry and for all the travel she did to ODU throughout my program. She offered such insight into the doctoral process. I will be forever indebted to Mr. Steven Blum, SVP, Engineering and Safety, Universal Parks and Resort for providing me the opportunity to embark on this endeavor and creating an environment for me to be successful. Throughout the years he offered encouragement, guidance and helped me navigate barriers to my research. I want to recognize Paul D. Q. Campbell, friend and colleague, for always making himself available to proofread my paper. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Noemi Paz, Ph.D., and William Leigh, Ph.D., for encouraging me to pursue this advanced degree and for being such wonderful friends over the years. I want my aunt and uncle to know how much I appreciate their love, support, and understanding throughout this process and for all the wonderful meals they made for me when I didn’t have time to cook. And finally, words cannot express how blessed I am to have three wonderful children who are always there for me and for the love and support I get every day without fail from them. Thank you, Sonja, Michael, and Rachael. vi NOMENCLATURE AIMS Amusement Industry Manufactures’ Association ANOVA Analysis of Variance ASO Amusement Safety Organization ASTM American Society of Testing and Materials International CDC Center for Disease Control CPSC Consumer Product Safety Commission DDI Data Documentation Indicatives DIN German Institute of Standardization DMP Data Management Plan EN European Norm FET Fisher’s Exact Test HFE Human Factors Engineering HSE Health & Safety Executive HSL Health and Safety Laboratory IAAPA International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions ISO International Standards Organization NAARSO National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials NAFLIC National Association for Leisure Industry Certification NAPHA National Amusement Park Historical Association NCHS National Center for Health Statistics NEAPA New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions NEISS National Electronic Injury Surveillance System ix NJAA New Jersey Amusement Association NGO Non-government Organization NSC National Safety Council NSGA National Sporting Goods Association NSRF National Standard of Russian Federation OABA Outdoor Amusement Business Association ODU Old Dominion University RCS Ride Control System R²CS© Ride Restraint and Containment Systems TSSA Technical Standard Safety Authority Canada TUV Technischer Überwachungsverein (translation) Technical Inspection Association WHO World Health Organization x TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ xiii LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... xvi LIST OF GRAPHS .............................................................................................................. xvii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement ......................................................................................................3