How often do the "who-evers" measure the speed of roller coasters? Is this only done when the coaster first opens? If so, maybe it's time to get a new reading.

Also, who are the "who-evers"?

I think they live in Whoville, and eat who hash, among other things.

Some coasters have "checkpoints" along the course that relay info back to the control panel to inform the speed of that exact spot. This however may or may not be the maximum speed.

Considering the laws of physics, the fastest part of a coaster is not likely to change significantly. It is most likely at the bottom of the longest drop (though not always if a coaster continues down hill beyond the longest drop and the forces of gravity are larger than the forces of fiction past that point). A launch coaster or a coaster w/ multiple launches would likely change the spot where speed is at its greatest, however unless the ride has some sort of variable operation, its likely not to change significantly other than the impace of weight, wind, weather, etc..

I think an average speed stat could be interesting (Diamondback's would be 20 mph).

^Publicly speaking, not so much. Rides like Firehawk seem to crawl a bit through their course. Which would draw you to a ride more--a max speed of 50 mph or an average of 30?

That would depend. Steel Phantom or Millennium Force vs Space Mountain or Leap the Dips. Speed alone tells me next to nothing.

http://www.visitkingsisland.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-12-14-11-44/The-Beast

The Beast sprawls across a densely-wooded, 35-acre site at speeds up to 65 miles per hour!

I find that very hard to believe...

The park at one time claimed a top speed of 66. I didn't believe it then, either.

What is the speed just before lift 2? If I'm not mistaken, that is the fastest point in the ride. It certainly feels 65, but then again, I was always horrible with estimations.

Here are some average speeds in order from highest to lowest:

FoF: 30.7 mph

BLST: 20.9 mph

Beast: 20.1 mph

DB: 20 mph

Racer: 19.4 mph

Vortex: 17.3 mph

AE: 14.4 mph

FD: 14.3 mph

WE: 10.2 mph

FAAC: 8.5 mph

And these are from?

I used RCDB….length of ride in feet/length of ride in time

Note that the two coasters with the highest average velocity have no lift hill. The others slow lift speed cause the average velocity to decrease.

I used RCDB….length of ride in feet/length of ride in time

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Here are some average speeds in order from highest to lowest:

FoF: 30.7 mph

BLST: 20.9 mph

Beast: 20.1 mph

DB: 20 mph

Racer: 19.4 mph

Vortex: 17.3 mph

AE: 14.4 mph

FD: 14.3 mph

WE: 10.2 mph

FAAC: 8.5 mph

Flight of Fear is listed at 2,705 feet. If that number is for a complete track circuit, then it considers part of the ride where nobody is riding.

If we don't include that non-ridden track, that number would be slightly higher.

Should the duration while sitting on the brake run on other coasters be considered?

Edit to add: rcdb.com shows the other clones with a duration of 0:56 (Joker's Jinx), 1:15(Poltergeist and Crazy Cobra/Mad Cobra), and 2:24(FoF KD)...fascinating.