Last Mile Issue Research Articles

Integration of Shared Micromobility into Public Transit: A Systematic Literature Review with Grey Literature

Shared micromobility services have become increasingly prevalent and indispensable as a means of transportation across diverse geographical regions. Integrating shared micromobility with public transit offers opportunities to complement fixed-route transit networks and address first- and last-mile issues. To explore this topic, a systematic literature review was conducted to consolidate knowledge, analyze research achievements and best practices, and provide future research recommendations. This study examined 108 journal papers from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection from 2016 to 2022, along with grey literature. Citation and co-citation analyses were performed to build and illustrate the literature’s bibliometric networks. This analysis categorized the literature into four major study themes: policy, sustainability, the interaction between shared micromobility and public transportation, and infrastructure. The implementation approaches of integrating shared micromobility and public transportation in different cities were classified into four categories: physical integration, payment and fee integration, informational integration, and institutional integration. The findings indicate that the relationship between shared micromobility and public transportation varies with spatial–temporal conditions and the population density of the city. Overall, integrating micromobility into public transit can offer faster and more cost-effective mobility options for most trips, contributing to urban resilience, a better air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and livable communities. Based on these insights, further research is recommended to explore dynamic and context-specific strategies for successful shared micromobility and public transit integration, considering diverse urban settings and demographic factors.

Technology Adoption: Intelligent Agent-based Model for Philippines FTTH Broadband Service Availability

The vast improvement in broadband service delivery has been achieved mainly in the Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) technology, which was influential during this pandemic in providing connectivity with everyone, thus ensuring high service availability. The evolution of network monitoring systems has helped achieve this by equipping the network engineers in performing corrective or predictive maintenance. However, minimal research has been conducted to investigate how the adoption of technology and different factors attributes, including organizational culture, have helped or served as the bottlenecks in meeting the set service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) hinged on the system utilization. This study focuses on measuring, predicting, and simulating technology adoption's interdependence with FTTH network monitoring systems to detect last-mile issues and perform necessary maintenance activities. An agent-based simulation via AnyLogic towards broadband service availability is to be drawn from different works of literature and support the creation of a theoretical model. The goal is to have a simulation tool and quantified outcomes to predict the valued indicators that can help the telecommunications sector to be equipped with proper knowledge in understanding the end-to-end broadband service journey that can benefit not only the business but also the subscribers who rely heavily on broadband service.

Multi-Criteria Simulation-Optimization Analysis of Usage of Automated Parcel Lockers: A Practical Approach

The rapid growth of electronic commerce is having an impact on the way urban logistics are organized. In metropolitan settings, the last-mile delivery problem, i.e., the problem regarding the final stage of delivering a shipment to a consumer, is a major concern due to its inefficiency. The development of a convenient automated parcel lockers (APLs) network improves last-mile distribution by reducing the number of vehicles, the distances driven, and the number of delivery stops. Using automated parcel lockers, the last-mile issue could be overcome for the environment’s benefit. This study aimed to define and validate an APL network containing hundreds of APLs with the use of an example made up of real case study data from the city of Poznań in Poland. The goal of this research was to use mathematical programming for optimization and simulation to tackle the facility location problem for automated parcel lockers through a practical approach. Multi-criteria simulation-optimization analysis was used to assess the data. In fact, the simulation was carried out using Anylogic software and the optimization with the use of the Java programming language and CPLEX solver. Three years were simulated, allowing for comparable results for each year in terms of expenses, e-shoppers, APL users, and demand evolution, as well as achieving the city’s optimal locker usage. Finally, encouraging conclusions were obtained, such as the relationship between the demand and the number of lockers, along with the model’s limitations.

Analysis of Current E-Scooter Safety Regulation in a Large U.S. City Using Epidemiological Components as a Framework

E-scooters have been promoted as a solution to environmental and last-mile issues. However, physicians have reported an unusual increase in injured e-scooter riders, calling it an “epidemic.” An epidemiological investigation of e-scooter safety carried out in 2018 characterized injuries associated with e-scooter riders in Austin, TX for a period of 87 days. However, the effectiveness of the city’s current regulation on micromobility devices has not been discussed to determine whether it addresses the risk factors identified in this epidemiological investigation. To address this gap, this paper presents an analysis of the legal framework on micromobility devices from the components of the epidemiology triangle (agent, host, and environment) used by traffic authorities in the 1960s to curtail motor vehicle crashes. This analysis revealed that the current micromobility regulation does not offer practical provisions to tackle safety concerns efficiently. Furthermore, based on the number of motor vehicle crashes reported in Austin for 2018, it was found that if e-scooter riders were to travel the same distance in miles as motor vehicle drivers, there would be approximately 3,700,000 injuries compared with 15,133 motor vehicles injuries. Furthermore, this hypothetical figure does not consider the potential underreporting of e-scooter crashes, meaning that the number of injured people per 100,000 mi traveled on e-scooters could be even higher. At least 108 more injured riders were identified than was initially calculated in the 2018 epidemiological investigation. Overall, this study should encourage local authorities around the world to enact appropriate regulations to tackle safety issues surrounding micromobility devices.

An integrated agent-based model of travel demand and package deliveries

With the increased shift from in-store shopping to e-commerce, we can expect the share of delivery vehicles in cities to rise as well. This puts great pressure on cities and surrounding areas as emissions rise and space becomes scarce. Because the last leg of the delivery chain is so costly, there have been many studies on how the last-mile issue can be diminished. However, most studies only cover deliveries independently from the orders. This paper presents a modelling approach that integrates travel demand, package orders and subsequent deliveries within the same framework. One of the benefits of the integrated modelling approach is that the model can evaluate the agents’ locations at all times during the simulation. This allows us to model different states of delivery on a microscopic level. We have applied the model to Karlsruhe, Germany with a synthetic population of just over 300.000 agents. The results show that the model simulates both package orders and the subsequent delivery tours realistically. The model framework allows for detailed analysis of delivery states and success rates and can be used for scenario analysis of different delivery methods and changes in online shopping behaviour.

Autonomous shuttles for collective transport: a worldwide benchmark

The present study aimed at performing a comprehensive benchmark on experimentations with autonomous shuttles for collective transport. Data was collected online on both academic and grey literature yielding a research corpus of 176 experimentations. Results show a European lead on both the number of experimentations and manufacturers. The majority of the deployments were aimed towards public transportation being short to mid-term trials, mainly offered free of charge to users. Regular-line transport was the prevailing operational mode adopted, meanwhile, on-demand services were present but incipient, mainly due to legal barriers as well as technological and infrastructural constraints. Eight main typologies of uses able to fulfil both private and public transport offerings were identified, being either focused on solving first- and last-mile issues or microtransit commute. At last, the main common stakeholders were identified, as well as how different forms of value are created and distributed among them.

Traffic Safety Perception, Attitude, and Feeder Mode Choice of Metro Commute: Evidence from Shenzhen.

Like many other transit modes, the metro provides stop-to-stop services rather than door-to-door services, so its use undeniably involves first- and last-mile issues. Understanding the determinants of the first- and last-mile mode choice is essential. Existing literature, however, mostly overlooks the mode choice effects of traffic safety perception and attitudes toward the mode. To this end, based on a face-to-face questionnaire survey in Shenzhen, China, this study uses the two-sample t-test to confirm the systematic differences in traffic safety perception and attitudes between different subgroups and develops a series of multinomial logistic (MNL) models to identify the determinants of first- and last-mile mode choice for metro commuters. The results of this study show that: (1) Walking is the most frequently used travel mode, followed by dockless bike-sharing (DBS) and buses; (2) Variances in traffic safety perception and attitude exist across gender and location; (3) Vehicle-related crash risks discourage metro commuters from walking to/from the metro station but encourage them to use DBS and buses as feeder modes; (4) DBS–metro integration is encouraged by the attitude that DBS is quicker than buses and walking, and positive attitudes toward the bus and DBS availability are decisive for the bus–metro and DBS–metro integration, respectively; and (5) Substantial differences exist in the mode choice effects of traffic safety perception and attitudes for access and egress trips. This study provides a valuable reference for metro commuters’ first- and last-mile travel mode choice, contributing to developing a sustainable urban transport system.

Investigation of Home Delivery Models and Logistics Services in China

The last-mile issue is of great concern in coping with the considerable development of the internet shopping market in China. Several issues arise from home delivery activities for fulfilling internet shopping orders; for example, increased operating costs for handling failed home deliveries, and deteriorating traffic conditions resulting from frequent delivery trips. To improve the logistics efficiency of home delivery operations and solve the problem of delivery failures, pick-up points (PPs) and self-delivery boxes (SDBs) are being implemented in China. This study investigates three home delivery models including the traditional model, the PP model, and the SDB model. Under each model, the carrier’s delivery distance and the customer’s collection distance are calculated. According to the distance, the costs of the three delivery models are compared. To simulate the carrier’s delivery route, an ant colony algorithm combined with genetic algorithm is developed to optimize the delivery route in this research. The research findings are: (1) Both the PP model and the SDB model are capable of reducing the customer’s collection cost significantly, by between 29.1% and 84%, when at least 30% of home deliveries are missed. (2) The SDB model is more favorable in relation to reducing the delivery costs of the express company, by between 67.1% and 71.3% when the proportion of missed home deliveries ranges from 20% to 50%. (3) Among PPs using the post office, convenience store, and subway station, the subway station network is the most effective scheme in relation to reducing the customer’s collection cost, by 84%.

Performance analysis of an 80 (8 × 10) Gbps RZ-DPSK based WDM-FSO system under combined effects of various weather conditions and atmospheric turbulence induced fading employing Gamma–Gamma fading model

Free space optics (FSO) has the capacity to be a vital element for the design of ubiquitous and reliable systems for next-generation networks owing to its large bandwidth and high data rate support. The last-mile issue finds an efficient solution in FSO in scenarios where fiber deployment is not feasible. However the FSO link is prone to fluctuations in optical signal strength due to various weather conditions and atmospheric turbulence. In this paper, an 80 (8 × 10) Gbps RZ-DPSK based WDM-FSO system is analyzed based on its performance on weather conditions viz. very clear, drizzle, haze, thin fog, moderate fog and thick fog. Link-margin analysis is also done. The turbulence model employed is the Gamma–Gamma fading model. The system is simulated on OptiSystem 14.0.

Discourses, Travel Behaviour and the 'Last Mile' in London

The concept of 'sustainable travel' has been well discussed for over three decades; yet the meaning of sustainability in travel remains interpreted in many different ways. A transition to more environmentally sustainable travel has proved difficult to achieve, particularly in suburban areas. For individuals in society there are many different aspirations for, and constraints on, travelling in an environmentally sustainable manner. Lack of modal choice, route options, the cost of using public transport, and wider cultural norms are a few of the barriers to realizing a more sustainable transport network. Compounding this is the 'last mile' problem, concerning the facilities linking the main mode to the home, workplace or wider destination, which are often poor. This paper explores both the perceptions and opinions of everyday commuters in Ealing, London, including consideration of their localized lastmile issues. An in-depth study is undertaken with thirty-five employees of Ealing Council, using Q methodology to investigate the participants' perceptions towards, and awareness of, their respective journeys. The Q method analysis undertaken highlighted four major discourses associated with travel and the last mile problem in Ealing: 'the public transport user', 'the committed cyclist', 'the multi-modal traveller' and 'the frustrated traveller'. Understanding these different discourses and their unique characteristics has significant potential for assisting policy-makers and planners in developing more targeted investment priorities, policies, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Offshore-Connectivity Solutions for the Oil and Gas Industry

This article, written by Assistant Technology Editor Karen Bybee, contains highlights of paper SPE 117254, "Offshore Connectivity and Ultra-Long Tiebacks Solutions for Oil & Gas," by A. Lecroart, R. Michel, and J.P. Odier, Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks, originally prepared for the 2008 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 20-22 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. The oil and gas industry is forced to go into deeper water further offshore to find new oil or gas. At the same time, the industry is placing more emphasis on integrated operations driven from onshore control centers. Highly reliable communications solutions are required to fulfill these objectives. Large bandwidth and low latency links between offshore facilities and the shore are essential for communications to all company personnel and contractors engaged in the offshore development areas. The full-length paper describes overall solutions to address these needs and reviews available technologies. Introduction Exploration and production of offshore fields is evolving and makes use of various modes of communication. Many oil companies are establishing operations centers where technical expertise is located. Telecommunications from the field to these centers is becoming critical, and solutions exist to make communication both efficient and dependable, with a choice of different technologies listed in Table 1 in the full-length paper. Dry/Dry Solutions The dry/dry solutions adapt the traditional shore-to-shore telecommunication application so that it can be used with different types of offshore assets such as a fixed platform or floating assets such as a tension-leg platform, a spar, or a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO). One would prefer ring or loop architectures connecting each asset with its own spur by use of a branching unit (BU). The system is designed to allow the platforms to be independent and limits the number of risers per asset to one, compared to a simple daisy chain. For the last-mile connection, a dynamic riser is required to access floating assets, while a simple J-tube may be sufficient with shallower fixed structures. Another complexity may come from the use of fiber-optics (FOs) rotating joints because the latest generation of FPSOs tends to adopt a turret architecture, allowing the vessel to rotate freely. In most cases, studies are required to validate and qualify the riser design according to the requirements of the structure and the local weather conditions. A second approach is to equip an umbilical with fiber and allow the last-mile connection to take place subsea with a combination of wet-mate connectors and subsea manifold. In this case, a special cable termination is provided allowing remotely-operated-vehicle (ROV) handling of the wet-mate connector by use of a length of flexible hose. Both approaches are valid and will solve the last-mile issue adequately.