Red Dirt Monopoly
As a part of the public participation process, ACOG staff has localized a transportation planning game, called Red Dirt Monopoly. The intent of the game is to educate Central Oklahomans about the transportation planning process, consensus building and planning within a budget, while gathering spatial information tied to desired transportation improvements. The public’s feedback on wants and needs will be considered in the development of the Encompass 2035 long-range transportation plan.
Each game is designed for three to six players (multiple games can be played at the same time – depending on the size of the overall audience), and the game is played with a toolkit that includes game pieces, markers, a cost sheet, and a game board, which is a large map of the Central Oklahoma region. Players are given monopoly money at the beginning of the game, and then have to work together to develop a planning strategy that meets the needs of the other players. The object of the game is to spend (allocate) all of the money on transportation improvement and maintenance projects.
Funding can be allocated to several mode choices, such as pedestrian and biking trails, new streets and highways, passenger rail and bus rapid transit. Park and ride lots, transit centers and enhancement projects are part of the menu, too. A portion of the funding must also be spent on maintenance of the current and future system. When a player or team wants to spend money, they forward the funding to the game master, who cuts ribbons and strings, or provides game pieces that are then attached directly to the map. After the game, the information contained on the maps will be digitized and inventoried to allow consideration of the public’s input into the development of the “real” plan.
Staff can take the game on the road.
If you are interested and have any events, meetings, associations or occasions that could accommodate the game, please contact Jerry Church (jchurch@acogok.org) to schedule your own Red Dirt Monopoly session.
