THRILL Lab Thanks The Ex!

Continuing an annual tradition, students who spent the summer in the THRILL Lab put on their hard hats, safety shoes and high-visibility vests and stepped into the construction zone at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. The field trip to the CNE has become a highlight for students of human factors and other engineering branches and Ryerson’s unique-in-Canada bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety. During the construction of the fair, students shadow certified amusement device inspectors from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), a not-for-profit organization that regulates technology relevant to public safety, including amusement devices, throughout Ontario.

Students learn how current amusement ride technology works and meet the regulators, owner-operators, and consultants who make this industry safe and enjoyable. During the 18-day show, Canada’s largest fair and one of the top 10 fairs in North America attended by over 1.2 million guests, students observe how children and adults interact with amusement devices to gain an understanding of the importance of designing for real people.

THRILL Lab researchers, led by Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, a professional engineer (P.Eng.) and Canadian certified professional ergonomist (CCPE), are studying future developments for amusement devices for enhanced “show” and guest experience, easier to use control interfaces, and quicker expertise development for new inspectors. Many THRILL lab trainees are interested in careers in the amusement industry, an important part of the tourism sector with few formal academic programs available focused on this industry.