THE FIRST/LAST MILE PROBLEM AS KEY FACTOR IN PASSENGER TRANSPORT MODAL CHOICE

Abstract

The first and last mile leg of a journey presents a challenge for the traveller to get to the transportation hub and continue on the main leg of their journey. The first and last mile can add up to a significant fraction of one’s journey in the matters of duration and also costs of travel. This study demonstrates the problem on a real-life journey, which was tracked and analysed. Then three specific cases of short distance, middle distance and long distance journeys were studied. Journeys were broken down into individual legs and analysed in time and costs aspects. The individual modes are evaluated in total travel costs analysis and present individual options with different approaches to the first and last mile problem. The findings suggest that the fastest option is not always the best in regards to total journey costs. There is a huge difference in car journeys with respects to the amortization of the car and fuel costs only