Safer Street Simulation
An experiment showing how street design can improve walkability,
which can lead to improved health, safety and retail sales
which can lead to improved health, safety and retail sales
The Safer Street Simulation took place on June 21, 2018, on the 200 block of W Randolph. This was a partnership between Main Street Enid, the OU Institute for Quality Communities, TSET Healthy Living Program, and Rural Health Projects, Inc. This project is being funded by the Oklahoma Municipal League and the TSET Healthy Living Program at Rural Health Projects, Inc.
Downtown Enid’s streets are some of the widest in the state, which makes them more dangerous and intimidating for pedestrians to cross. This results in a less comfortable environment for walking and shopping. Creating an atmosphere of safety could result in more healthy transportation, a reduced chance of accidents and more money spent in our local businesses.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the built environment influences a person’s level of physical activity. Areas that are less walkable lead to sedentary habits that result in poor health.
A study cited by the Federal Highway Administration found that the risk of injury and death for pedestrians is much lower when traffic moves at 25 mph or less. Right-sizing streets with accessible crosswalks helps keep traffic moving at a safe speed for walkable districts.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities has conducted visitor surveys in several main street districts showing that a welcoming, safe street environment encourages visitors to shop at more than one business.
During his Better Block style simulation, we reduced Randolph to 2 lanes, making it safer for pedestrians to cross than 4 lanes. We offset the mid-block crosswalk so it doesn’t lead directly into the alley, and temporary curb extensions were painted to mimic the ones around the square, reducing the crosswalk distance.
Traffic lights were set to 4-way stops at each end of the block. This ensures each driver stops, looks around before they go, and doesn't drive too fast to make it through the next light.
We set up a parklet at 217 W Randolph and Tammy Wilson created a pop-up shop at 213 W Randolph. Local artists and poets created street art and sidewalk poetry, providing more reasons to walk around.
TSET Healthy Living volunteers drew chalk arches around public entrances to buildings, showing the Breathe Easy space where tobacco isn’t allowed by state law.
The Northwest Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® held a party at the Breezeway with live music, hot dogs and games. Community leaders were invited to attend the party and tour the Safer Street Simulation. Mayors from across the state also toured this simulation to consider walkability improvements in their communities as part of the Oklahoma Municipal League Mayors’ Conference.
The public was invited to watch this simulation on Thursday, attend the party activities in the evening, and provide feedback based on their experience walking and driving through. The simulation was taken down and washed away early Friday afternoon.
Downtown Enid’s streets are some of the widest in the state, which makes them more dangerous and intimidating for pedestrians to cross. This results in a less comfortable environment for walking and shopping. Creating an atmosphere of safety could result in more healthy transportation, a reduced chance of accidents and more money spent in our local businesses.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the built environment influences a person’s level of physical activity. Areas that are less walkable lead to sedentary habits that result in poor health.
A study cited by the Federal Highway Administration found that the risk of injury and death for pedestrians is much lower when traffic moves at 25 mph or less. Right-sizing streets with accessible crosswalks helps keep traffic moving at a safe speed for walkable districts.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities has conducted visitor surveys in several main street districts showing that a welcoming, safe street environment encourages visitors to shop at more than one business.
During his Better Block style simulation, we reduced Randolph to 2 lanes, making it safer for pedestrians to cross than 4 lanes. We offset the mid-block crosswalk so it doesn’t lead directly into the alley, and temporary curb extensions were painted to mimic the ones around the square, reducing the crosswalk distance.
Traffic lights were set to 4-way stops at each end of the block. This ensures each driver stops, looks around before they go, and doesn't drive too fast to make it through the next light.
We set up a parklet at 217 W Randolph and Tammy Wilson created a pop-up shop at 213 W Randolph. Local artists and poets created street art and sidewalk poetry, providing more reasons to walk around.
TSET Healthy Living volunteers drew chalk arches around public entrances to buildings, showing the Breathe Easy space where tobacco isn’t allowed by state law.
The Northwest Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® held a party at the Breezeway with live music, hot dogs and games. Community leaders were invited to attend the party and tour the Safer Street Simulation. Mayors from across the state also toured this simulation to consider walkability improvements in their communities as part of the Oklahoma Municipal League Mayors’ Conference.
The public was invited to watch this simulation on Thursday, attend the party activities in the evening, and provide feedback based on their experience walking and driving through. The simulation was taken down and washed away early Friday afternoon.
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