Transit trips (e.g., rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit, bus) are comprised not only of the journey, but also trips (1) from origin to the transit stop & (2) from the end station to the ultimate destination. These end trips to/from station areas are often made on foot, by bicycle or car/vanpools. Cities are beginning to improve these first mile/last mile pathways in order to facilitate access in teh vicinity of stops and stations.
Benefits & Problems Addressed
Increasing ridership while replacing car trips: Conventional wisdom is that travelers will take a "comfortable" walk up to 1/4 mile to reach a transit stop or station. However, riders will increase the distance with increased comfort & directness.
Improved infrastructure: Small fixes such as sidewalk repair can increase the comfort of a walk.
Coordination with Deliveries: As package deliveries grow with e-commerce, companies are also facing first/last mile challenges. Coordinated improvements for both passengers and deliveries can help reduce congestion related to increased deliveries.j
Tips & Techniques
Transit agency programs: Transit agencies are increasingly using first/last mile strategies, with on-demand shuttles, ride hailing & ridesharing companies, and bike linkages. These partnerships design programs where new rideshare/ridehail companies deliver passengers to transit stops, rather than displace transit trips altogether. For example, Summit New Jersey is working with ridehail companies to replace a parking expansion project with rides.
Access sheds: Access sheds are defined by the distance people travel in a set duration of time. For example, if a pedestrian is willing to walk 15 minutes to a transit station, and they walk 4 miles per hour, the access shed is roughly 1/2 mile. However, this is an “as the crow flies” distance; the directness of roads, paths and sidewalks influence the actual time it takes to cover the distance.
Increasing the average speed of active transportation users: Decreasing wait times at intersections, increasing speed along walking/rolling routes, reduced crossing distances, and improved facilities for a growing range of mobility devices & inventions.
Decreasing point to point distances: Strategic short-cuts, increased crossing opportunities, and opportunistic diagonal routes through large parking lots or parks. (3) Supporting multi-modal transfer activity such as improved links between modal access points (i.e. bus stops and stations, or bike share kiosks & stations) and integration of other mobility solutions (i.e. car share).
Enhancing communications: Improved signage & wayfinding, unique communications such as graphic novel-type handouts, use of beacons to message travelers about quick routes to stations & stops.
Hot Buttons: Allocating funds to complete infrastructure networks (sidewalks , bike paths, pickup-dropoff zones), Short cuts through private property. Aligning programs and budgets among fragmented transportation and public works agencies; access for the growing number of ridehailing companies.
Resources
First Last Mile Strategic Plan and Planning Guidelines: METRO Los Angeles CA US (2014)
First/Last Mile Strategies Study: Utah Transit Authority (2015)