Operating the Kobayashi Maru [Training Scenario]

[Mikey]

The following is a fictional scenario that I provide to my senior operators to see how they would handle an emergency situation. By requiring them to explain their thought process, subsequent actions, and allowing them to ask questions it helps engage in dialogue which would might direct their thought process in a real emergency.

The scenario is based on a real fire which occurred at Phantasialand.



About the ride:

The Kobayashi Maru is a heavily themed indoor in the dark roller coaster built in 1971. The ride features the following elements, Unload, Load, Lift A, Safety Brake 1, Trim, Lift 2, Safety Brake 2, Service, Holding 3, Holding 2, Holding 1 / Transfer. It reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour and features three inversions. It is capable of an hourly throughput of 1200 PPH using six five car trains seating 20 per unit. Important: The restraint release mechanism can only be operated using an unlatch hook under the train on the right hand side. It is impossible to use with out a catwalk.

Lift 1 is 125ft tall and is accessible directly from the station via cat walks on both sides of the ride and all the way to the top of the lift. Safety Brake 1 is accessible via a door located on the left side catwalk of Lift A about halfway up. Safety Brake 1 features catwalks only on the left side as its track runs parallel to Lift A but it's direction of travel is opposite. The base of Lift B is accessible via a door and a series of interconnected hallways which lead to a catwalk that starts at the Trim Brakes located prior to base of the lift. The catwalk continues only on the right side to the top of the lift. Lift 2 is 75 ft tall. Safety Brake 2 is accessible via a spiral stair case which connects to a left hand catwalk which ends in the interconnected hallway. Service and holding can be reached via catwalks on the left hand side of the train.

The interconnected hallway dead ends at the maintenance shop which has a door to the outside. The load and unload areas use their respective paths for egress with the exception of unload who can access the interconnected hallway as a backup. While the rides control system has been upgraded to modern standards, the building, fire alarm, and surrounding infrastructure has not. A sprinkler system and emergency ventilation system was not retrofitted due to cost. Luckily ABC fire extinguishers are located through out the queue line, at load, unload, in the maintenance hall, at the base of lift, in the middle of the interconnected hallway, and next to the main operator panel at load. There are no cameras anywhere on the ride and it takes five people to operate.

Scenario:

You are the senior ride operator of the Kobayashi Maru which is operating fully staffed and at maximum capacity. Situated at the main operator panel, while dispatching a train into the darkness you notice what looks like smoke rising from the top of the tunnel. You dismiss it as your eyes playing tricks on you but a few seconds later your ride phone rings and your unload operator reports smoke. 30 seconds later your ride trouble lights due to a block zone violation. You take note that trains are stranded at the top of Lift A, at Safety Brake B, one in between holding 3 and 2, and one each in unload and load. The fire alarm then sounds. Your operators are now looking to you for orders, how do you proceed? You have six minutes before human life is not sustainable in the building, four before you loose power to the ride.

For those who don't know him well, I will post this link: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Kobayashi%20Maru