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Home > October 12, 2026 > I Design Roller Coasters
A woman leans against a railing beside a large wooden roller coaster structure outdoors

Courtesy of Anya Tyler

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I Design Roller Coasters

Anya Tyler helps create some of the world’s most thrilling rides.

October 12, 2026
By Alicia Green

You climb into the seat of a roller coaster. Your palms sweat as the train inches up a steep hill. Finally, it reaches the top. Then—whoosh! The train rockets down the track.

Do you love roller coasters? If so, you can thank engineers like Anya Tyler. She designs roller coasters for a company called Peak Thrills Engineering. Tyler recently spoke with Scholastic News about her exciting job.

You get on a roller coaster. Your hands sweat. The train moves up a big hill. Finally, it gets to the top. Then whoosh! The train shoots down the track.

Do you love roller coasters? If so, you can thank engineers like Anya Tyler. She plans roller coasters. She works for a company called Peak Thrills Engineering. Tyler spoke with Scholastic News. She told us about her exciting job.

Wild Rides
Watch a video about how engineers create roller coasters

Scholastic News: When did your love of roller coasters begin?

Scholastic News: When did you start liking roller coasters?

Anya Tyler: When I was in middle school, I was tall enough and brave enough to get on roller coasters. I thought it was really fun. It’s something scary, but it’s also very safe.

Anya Tyler: When I was in middle school, I was tall enough and brave enough to get on roller coasters. I thought it was really fun. It’s something scary, but it’s also very safe.

SN: You’ve designed many wooden roller coasters. What’s the process like?

SN: You have planned many roller coasters. What is the process like?

AT: From start to finish, it usually takes a year-and-a-half to two years. We start by scribbling what the ride looks like from above. Then we turn our drawing into a 3-D model. We create a video that shows the ride in action. Next, we design the structure and all the parts. The structure is what holds up the tracks. My role is to make sure it’s strong enough to handle the train. Once the roller coaster is built, we test it.

AT: From start to finish, it usually takes a year-and-a-half to two years. We start by scribbling what the ride looks like from above. Then we turn our drawing into a 3-D model. We create a video that shows the ride in action. Next, we design the structure and all the parts. The structure is what holds up the tracks. My role is to make sure it’s strong enough to handle the train. Once the roller coaster is built, we test it.

Shutterstock.com

Anya Tyler helped design the Texas Stingray roller coaster in San Antonio, Texas.

SN: What challenges do you face?

SN: What is hard about the job?

AT: We don’t have infinite resources, like money or time. Most parks have a limited amount of space too. And you have to design for all kinds of riders. Some like when you float out of your seat. Others think a tall hill is the best. And some want to flip upside down.

AT: We don’t have infinite resources, like money or time. Most parks have a limited amount of space too. And you have to design for all kinds of riders. Some like when you float out of your seat. Others think a tall hill is the best. And some want to flip upside down.

SN: What do you love most about your job?

SN: What do you love most about the job?

AT: Seeing the final product. It’s really cool when I see guests having fun.


Note: The interview has been edited and shortened.

AT: Seeing the final product. It’s really cool when I see guests having fun.


Note: The interview has been edited and shortened.

Made to Thrill

Here’s how engineers create roller coasters.

Here’s how engineers create roller coasters.

Shutterstock.com

Step 1: Plan It

Engineers spend months designing the coaster. They figure out how tall it will be and where each loop and curve will go.

Step 1: Plan It

Engineers spend months designing the coaster. They figure out how tall it will be and where each loop and curve will go.

Step 2: Build It

Next, workers make each part of the coaster, including the trains. They also build the structure and lay the tracks.

Step 2: Build It

Next, workers make each part of the coaster, including the trains. They also build the structure and lay the tracks.

Step 3: Test It

Once the coaster is built, engineers make sure everything works properly. Then the team takes the finished coaster for a ride.

Step 3: Test It

Once the coaster is built, engineers make sure everything works properly. Then the team takes the finished coaster for a ride.

1. What is Anya Tyler’s role in designing a roller coaster?

2. Based on the article, what are three things that might limit the size of a roller coaster Tyler and her team can create?

3. What does Tyler mean when she says that “you have to design for all kinds of riders”?

1. What is Anya Tyler’s role in designing a roller coaster?

2. Based on the article, what are three things that might limit the size of a roller coaster Tyler and her team can create?

3. What does Tyler mean when she says that “you have to design for all kinds of riders”?

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