Editing Roller coaster (section)

==== Seat restraints ====
Seat restraints are used to ensure that riders stay in their seats throughout the ride.

===== Types of restraints =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Type of restraint
!Description
!Pros
!Cons
!Sources
|-
|Over-the-shoulder
|Secures riders' torsos using a harness that is pulled down over the rider before the ride starts. 
|
* Can feel more secure for scared riders
|
* Can cause headbanging
* Can remove some airtime
* Can feel cramped or claustrophobic
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Over-the-shoulder harness - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki |url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Over-the-shoulder_harness |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=coasterpedia.net |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Lap bar
|Secures riders' laps using either a bar that's pulled from in front of riders or pulled down from above like over-the-shoulder restraints
|
* More airtime
* No headbanging
* More open feel
|
* Can feel insecure or exposing for scared riders
* Can cause misconceptions that roller coasters with inversions that use lap bars are dangerous
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lap bar - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki |url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Lap_bar |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=coasterpedia.net}}</ref>
|-
|Vest
|Similar to over-the-shoulder restraints but uses a vest pulled tightly on the rider's torso to secure them
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* No headbanging
* Less bulky than over the shoulder restraints
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* Tight
* Can remove airtime
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vest harness - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki |url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Vest_harness |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=coasterpedia.net |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Seatbelt
|Uses a belt across the rider's waist to secure them, or can be used as a fallback for other restraints
|
* Can be used in conjunction with other restraint types as a fall-back
* Can make scared riders feel more secure when used in conjunction with other restraints
* When used alone is very open and very unrestrictive
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* Not suitable for most intense rollercoasters
|
|}

===== Restraint locking mechanisms =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Locking mechanism
!Description
!Sources
|-
|Hydraulic
|Uses hydraulic piston and fluid to lock restraints.
When the restraint is pulled down, it forces liquid through a one-way valve. This liquid cannot return and thus the restraint stays closed. When the restraints are unlocked by the ride operator, an electrical signal is sent to another valve, which opens, allowing the fluid to return to the start position and letting the restraint rise.
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hoebiger |title=Personal restraint hydraulic lock LE |publisher=Hoebiger |year=2017 |location=Alabama |language=English}}</ref>
|-
|Ratcheting
|Uses a toothed gear and pawl to lock restraints. When the restraint is pulled down, the pawl clicks into the next tooth on the gear. The pawl cannot go in the opposite direction. When the restraint is unlocked by the ride operator, an electrical signal is sent to the pawl which moves it out of the way and lets the restraint go back up.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Griffin Schobel - Rollercoaster Restraint System (2019) |url=https://griffinschobel.com/rollercoaster-restraint-system |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=griffinschobel.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}
Restraints use proximity sensors to determine if they are locked. If not all of the restraints are locked, the train cannot leave the station.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Väisänen |first=Antti |title=Design of Roller Coasters |publisher=Aalto University School of Engineering |year=2018 |location=Espoo, Finland |pages=11 |language=English}}</ref>