ENID, OK - The Safer Street Simulation will take place on June 21 on the 200 block of W Randolph. It's an experiment showing how street design can improve walkability, which can lead to improved health, safety and retail sales. This is 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Plans for this Better Block style simulation include a colorful temporary median, reducing Randolph to 2 lanes, making it safer for pedestrians to cross than 4 lanes. They will offset the mid-block crosswalk so it doesn’t lead directly into the alley, and temporary curb extensions will be painted to mimic the ones around the square, reducing the crosswalk distance. The 5-way intersection at Randolph, Washington and Kenwood will be adjusted to hopefully reduce drivers’ confusion.
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We will set up a parklet at 217 W Randolph and Tammy Wilson will set up a pop-up shop at 213 W Randolph, the previous indoor soccer arena (old Esquire building). Local artists and poets will create street art and sidewalk poetry, providing more reasons to walk around.
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TSET Healthy Living volunteers will draw chalk arches around public entrances to buildings, showing the Breathe Easy space where tobacco isn’t allowed by state law.
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The Northwest Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® are having a party for the public at the Breezeway with live music, hot dogs and games. Visit the pop-up shop across the street to pick up a watering can to search for sidewalk poetry that is only seen when wet.
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The inner two lanes of the 200 block of W Randolph will be blocked starting at 7:00 am on Thursday, June 21, and the team will set up the Safer Street Simulation throughout the morning. At 1:30, Mayors from across the state will tour this simulation to consider walkability improvements in their communities as part of the OML Mayors Conference.
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The public is invited to watch this in action any time on June 21, attend the party activities in the evening, 6-9 pm, and provide feedback based on your experience walking and driving through the simulation. The simulation will be taken down and washed away on Friday afternoon.
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Safer Street Simulation
