Mobility solutions for last mile connectivity

Abstract

Transferring services to the end point is referred to as last mile connection. In the context of urban mobility, the word is used to describe both the first and last leg of supplying connection from a transit system's origin to its destination. Commuters may quickly connect or transit to mainline transit lines at the start or finish of their journeys using last mile connection services. They are significant because they supplement fast transit by providing travellers with the entire route they require. Last-mile connectivity takes into account factors such as the ease with which modes and alternatives are available, the time and expense paid in the last mile, the simplicity with which modes may be changed, and the ease with which people can walk or cycle to and from stops/stations. Due to extreme migration towards urban areas in the last few decades, increasing vehicle ownership, traffic congestion and extreme air pollution has resulted to most cities adopting mass rapid transit systems However, cities continue to struggle with last-mile connection. The majority of cities lack adequate last-mile connection. Dehradun being the capital of state of Uttarakhand located 236km from the national capital region is being developed as counter magnet to NCR, it has been witnessing rapid urbanization along with increasing population (both residing and floating) since the last decade which has led to a certain load on urban transport infrastructure, along with urbanization, city has been witnessing sprawl as the major central areas are densely populated. Adding to this, city buses, IPTs and autos are in dilapidated conditions and are high polluting and unsafe to commute. The study attempts to understand existing last mile connectivity issues in city of Dehradun with the help of data (from primary and secondary sources), further it evaluates potential improvements for betterment of last mile connectivity and recommends solutions for improving last mile scenario in the study area.