Disney What’s So Difficult About Controlling Coasters? Nick Mansur Vice President Scientific Systems Walt Disney Imagineering Nick Mansur Vice President.

Disney

What’s So Difficult About What’s So Difficult About Controlling Coasters?Controlling Coasters?What’s So Difficult About What’s So Difficult About Controlling Coasters?Controlling Coasters?

Nick MansurNick MansurVice PresidentVice PresidentScientific SystemsScientific SystemsWalt Disney ImagineeringWalt Disney Imagineering

Nick MansurNick MansurVice PresidentVice PresidentScientific SystemsScientific SystemsWalt Disney ImagineeringWalt Disney Imagineering

TopicsTopicsTopicsTopics

• EnvironmentEnvironment• ApproachApproach• Next GenerationNext Generation

• EnvironmentEnvironment• ApproachApproach• Next GenerationNext Generation

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Operational Operational EnvironmentEnvironment

• High CapacityHigh Capacity

• High AvailabilityHigh Availability

• Continually Changing Operations & Continually Changing Operations & Maintenance StaffMaintenance Staff

• Site-Dependent RegulationsSite-Dependent Regulations

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Political EnvironmentPolitical Environment

• The Public Believes a Disney Park Is The Public Believes a Disney Park Is Intrinsically SafeIntrinsically Safe

• We Live in a Litigious SocietyWe Live in a Litigious Society

• We’re an Entertainment CompanyWe’re an Entertainment Company

• ““Real” Requirements Are Often Real” Requirements Are Often SubjectiveSubjective

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Development Development EnvironmentEnvironment

• Small TeamsSmall Teams

• Short TimeframesShort Timeframes

• Parallel Installation ActivitiesParallel Installation Activities

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

HazardsHazards

• CollisionsCollisions

• Excessive Accel/DecelExcessive Accel/Decel

• Unplanned/Unwanted MotionUnplanned/Unwanted Motion

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

• System InitializationSystem Initialization

• System Repair/Test ModesSystem Repair/Test Modes

• Station OperationStation Operation

• Adding/Removing VehiclesAdding/Removing Vehicles

• User InterfaceUser Interface

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Safety PhilosophySafety Philosophy

• Stop If There’s a ProblemStop If There’s a Problem

• ““One Way Down the Mountain”One Way Down the Mountain”

• No Reasonable Failure Shall No Reasonable Failure Shall Jeopardize Guest SafetyJeopardize Guest Safety

• Integrate Control and SafetyIntegrate Control and Safety

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Design ProcessDesign Process

• Employ the “Right” People Employ the “Right” People

• Follow Standards & ProceduresFollow Standards & Procedures

• ““Two Sets of Eyes”Two Sets of Eyes”

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

The DesignThe Design

• Proven TechnologiesProven Technologies

• RedundancyRedundancy

• Checking AlgorithmsChecking Algorithms

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Control Processor

Monitor Processor

InputInputCardsCards

InputInputCardsCards

OutputOutputCardsCards

OutputOutputCardsCards

OutputOutputCardsCards

BusBusControllerController

Message

System

Field Equipment(motors, valves,solenoids, etc.)

Bus StatusBus StatusSync, VotesSync, Votes

Sync, VotesSync, Votes

Ride StatusRide Status

PowerPower

Ride StatusRide Status

Disney Ride Control Disney Ride Control System ArchitectureSystem Architecture

• Each Processor Sees the Same InputsEach Processor Sees the Same Inputs

• Each Processor Runs Identical SoftwareEach Processor Runs Identical Software

• Only Control Processor Controls Field EquipmentOnly Control Processor Controls Field Equipment

• Either Processor Can Remove PowerEither Processor Can Remove Power

• Sync/Vote Signals Used to Minimize DisagreementsSync/Vote Signals Used to Minimize Disagreements

Field Equipment(sensors, monitors,buttons, switches,

etc.)

PowerPower

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

Zone 2Zone 2Entry SensorEntry Sensor

Zone 2 BrakesZone 2 Brakes

Zone 2 Exit SensorZone 2 Exit Sensor Zone 3Zone 3Entry SensorEntry Sensor

Zone 3 BrakesZone 3 Brakes

Zone 3 Exit SensorZone 3 Exit Sensor

Typical Block ZoneTypical Block Zone

• At Least One Set of Closed Brakes Between VehiclesAt Least One Set of Closed Brakes Between Vehicles• Exit Sensors Control Brake OperationExit Sensors Control Brake Operation• Entry Sensors Detect IntrusionEntry Sensors Detect Intrusion• Sensor Sequencing and Sensor/Subzone TimingSensor Sequencing and Sensor/Subzone Timing

Walt DisneyWalt Disney ImagineeringImagineering Disney

The Next GenerationThe Next Generation

• Drive for Bigger “Wow”Drive for Bigger “Wow”– Requires More Sophisticated Requires More Sophisticated

TechnologyTechnology– Increases ComplexityIncreases Complexity– Decreases Comfort LevelDecreases Comfort Level

• California LegislationCalifornia Legislation