Ride Centerline is a Utah based LLC, established in 2005. The founders were all former chief engineers at amusement ride companies. Our strong background and diverse project scope in the amusement ride industry is highlighted on the Projects page, while the breadth of our capabilities is presented on the Services page. Ride Centerline supports various amusement ride companies in all aspects for development from conceptual design through the final commissioning of the project. Most of the Ride Centerline clients are repeat customers, but we welcome the opportunity to work with new clients with any of their engineering needs.
While Ride Centerline was established with the intent of being an engineering/design resource in the amusement ride industry, it also has worked on numerous projects outside of the ride industry. Ride Centerline seeks to work on challenging projects. We welcome those specialty projects that are difficult and other firms shy away from.
Company Founders
Ned R Hansen, Ph.D., P.E.
Professional Experience in Addition to Ride Centerline:
- President: Hansen Engineering Analysis and Design, (HEAD), Inc. (1996‐): consulting engineering
- President: Ride Seatbelts, Inc. (2015): Design and manufacturer of seat belt systems
- CTO and VP Engineering: Oceana Energy Company (2008‐ ): Marine hydrokinetic generator
- Chief Engineer: S&S Power, Inc., (2000‐2006): Amusement ride design/manufacturer
- Principal Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, (1985‐2000)
- Adjunct Professor: Utah State University, ME Dept. (1996)
Amusement Ride Related Areas of Expertise:
Finite element analysis, dynamic systems analysis, mechanical design, launch systems,
coaster train design, restraint design, pneumatics, hydraulics, data acquisition, data analysis,
technical project management, specialty computer programming, testing
Education:
- University of New Mexico, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, 1992
- Utah State University, M.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1984
- Utah State University, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1983
Alan Schilke, P.E.
Professional Experience in Addition to Ride Centerline:
- President: 1Track (2005‐ ): consulting engineering
- Design/Structural Engineer: S&S Power, Inc., (2003‐2010): Amusement ride design/manufacturer
- Director of Engineering, Arrow Dynamics (1994‐2002): Amusement ride design/manufacturer
- Structural Engineer: John A. Martin Associates (1988‐1993): Structural engineering firm
Amusement Ride Related Areas of Expertise:
Structural engineering, mechanical engineering, coaster design conceptualization, vehicle design,
Coaster track layout, wooden and steel coaster design, fatigue of welded steel, building codes,
Budget development, project management, sales/marketing support
Education:
- Purdue University, B.S., Civil Engineering, 1987
Dody Bachtar, P.E.
Professional Experience in Addition to Ride Centerline:
- President: CMC (2005‐): consulting engineering
- Design/Structural Engineer: S&S Power, Inc., (2002‐2016): Amusement ride design/manufacturer
- Analysis Manager, Setpoint, Inc. (1998‐2002): Amusement rides/automation equipment
- Director of Engineering, Arrow Dynamics (1992‐1998): Amusement ride design/manufacturer
- Structural Engineer: Thune Associates, P.C. (1988‐1993): Structural engineering firm
Amusement Ride Related Areas of Expertise:
Structural engineering, finite element analysis, beam element analysis, vehicle design,
Coaster track layout, wooden and steel coaster design, building codes, animations,
Building code compliance, structural fatigue design, specialty computer programming
Education:
- Cornell University, M.S., Structural Engineering, 1987
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, B.S., Structural Engineering, 1986