Transit use and the work commute: Analyzing the role of last mile issues

Abstract

This paper examines the role that public transport last mile problems play in mode choice decisions of commuters, while controlling for trip, built environment, and decision maker related variables. Last-mile problems arise due to lack of adequate connectivity between transit stops and trip origin or termination points. The paper is motivated by previous literature which has pointed out that high-quality public transit needs to consider end-to-end connectivity from trip origins to destinations. In contrast to previous work on transit last mile problems which has focused on physical distance and sidewalks to transit stops, we consider a wider range of area factors including transit availability, job accessibility, parking costs, the quality of the pedestrian environment and risks to pedestrians from vehicular traffic, and social characteristics such as street-level crime. Using a discrete choice model, our goal is to unpack ways in which such factors contribute to the last mile problem in home-based work trips, while controlling for these wider range of factors as well as the usual variables such as cost and trip time that inform mode choice. We find that the prevalence of non-domestic violent crimes reduces the odds of using all types of non-motorized alternatives as well as transit that is accessed either by walking or driving. Using compensating variation to measure welfare changes, we show that there are significant benefits that could be brought to transit service users Preprint submitted to Journal of Transport Geography June 9, 2016 through increasing safety in the transit access trip. By separately controlling for origin and destination transit accessibility, we show that improved destination accessibility significantly boosts transit use to a greater degree than increases in origin level accessibility. These findings argue for improving accessibility and related job densities at employment centers.

How Have Travelers Changed Mode Choices for First/Last Mile Trips after the Introduction of Bicycle-Sharing Systems: An Empirical Study in Beijing, China

“…The first/last mile trips have been paid enough attention because of the important role they play in promoting public transport seamless connection with travel origins/destinations. The first/last mile problem that can be defined as the challenges caused by the built and social environment [1] and public transport service availability in the first/last leg of the trip generally exist in different worldwide cities. The built and social environment includes land use mix, neighborhood design, distance from and to public transportation, employment opportunities, and other related factors.…”

“…The built and social environment includes land use mix, neighborhood design, distance from and to public transportation, employment opportunities, and other related factors. The problem not only influences travelers' mode choices for an entire trip but also affects how transit users arrive at their boarding stations or destinations after alighting from public transit stations [1]. Although some countermeasures have been taken to solve this problem, such as improving the built environment and providing minibus services for those areas that regular bus services cannot reach, it is still an extensive issue.…”

Optimizing Pedestrian-Friendly Walking Path for the First and Last Mile Transit Journey by Using the Analytical Network Process (Anp) Decision Model and Gis Network Analysis

“…It referred as the access to reach the service itself either by walking or cycling (Guerra, Cervero and Tischler, 2012). The quality of FLM will definitely affect the quality of the transit service (Tilahun et al, 2016). Therefore, it is expected that FLM should always be able to satisfy the public's needs so that they will find commuting by a transit service pleasant.…”

“…FLM refers to the mode of transportation, by walking or cycling around a quarter mile radius to access the transit service (Guerra, Cervero and Tischler, 2012). Every transit trip, in any cities around the world, will definitely begin and end with walking (Ratner and Goetz, 2013;Tilahun et al, 2016). A good FLM environment will simultaneously enhance the pleasantness of using the transit services.…”

Impact of Built Environment on First- and Last-Mile Travel Mode Choice

“…A more comprehensive analysis on the relationship between BE and the first-and last-mile travel behavior can hardly be found. Tilahun et al (12) conducted a wider range analysis of the last-mile issues in commuting trips incorporating the impact of BE.…”