The poles at the end of the ride are for making standers sit down.
I worked at the ride in 1999 and 2000. We also lost the slow down brakes (inactive)before the poles since they have not been used since there were 5 car trains on the ride. Lots of the far curve on the inside was rebuilt over the winter in 99. The coaster 1 (inside track ) original drop and curve was visible for a time but not anymore , only in pics.