TDM Toolbox

Mitigation Calculator

Subsector: Neighborhood Design
Provide First and Last Mile Improvements and Incentives
VMT Reduction Potential: 3
Cost: 3
ROI: 3
StanCOG Relevancy: 5
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban, Rural
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Regional, Community
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Private: Developers (Employment), Developers (Residential), Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies, Transit Agencies
References: California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (2024), StanCOG Active Transportation Toolkit, Stanislaus County Non-Motorized Transportation Plan

Description

Providing first and last mile infrastructure improves access to transit and makes it a more attractive mode of transportation. First and last mile infrastructure can include closing gaps in sidewalks and bicycle facilities or even subsidizing access through the use of TNCs such as Uber and Lyft.

Implementation Details

  • Prioritize infrastructure improvements that close gaps to transit hubs or high quality transit services.
  • Plan for and implement shared micromobility services within denser areas and/or around transit services.
  • Partner with TNCs to provide subsidies or promo codes for short rides to and from transit stops, prioritizing service to employment hubs and schools, especially during off-peak or nighttime hours.
  • Launch pilot programs in areas with limited active transportation infrastructure, to improve first/last mile connectivity.
  • Implement geofenced pick-up/drop-off zones at high-ridership transit centers to streamline transfers and reduce conflicts with other modes.
  • Use survey and ridership data to adapt incentive structure and eligibility criteria for low-income residents, youth, and seniors.

Mitigation Potential

This strategy encourages transit use by improving access between origins and transit services. While there are limited direct quantification methods available, improvements to bicycle and pedestrian access can often be used as a proxy for estimating potential benefits. Because transit trips are often longer than active transportation trips, these proxy methods may underestimate the full VMT reduction potential

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Providing improved transit access through bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure increases the safety and ease of access for transit dependent persons. Subsidizing TNC (Transportation Network Company) and shared micromobility services for first/last mile trips can fill mobility gaps for low-income residents, seniors, and persons with disabilities who live far from transit stops. Equity-focused design should ensure fare discounts apply to accessible ride options and prioritize service to historically underserved areas. Data privacy and multilingual app access should be considered to avoid technological exclusion.

Funding Sources

Funding sources include the Active Transportation Program, transit grants, Clean Mobility Options, local transportation funds, and mobility-on-demand programs.

Examples/Case Studies

Stockton Mobility Collective

The Stockton Mobility Collective implemented a coordinated set of shared transportation services, including electric carsharing, electric bikesharing, mobility incentives, and an expanded Vamos Mobility platform. The project included approximately 100 electric bicycles at about 12 stations specifically intended to improve first- and last-mile access to transit. The platform was also expanded to support transit ticketing and shared-mobility reservations and payments. This project demonstrates how shared mobility services, incentives, and integrated trip-planning technology can improve connections to transit.