This document discusses first mile-last mile connectivity challenges and opportunities in Miami-Dade County. It notes that first and last mile connections are the most difficult parts of a transit trip. A variety of options exist for first and last mile connections including driving, shuttles, walking, biking, and ridesharing. The document outlines existing conditions and challenges like limited park-and-ride capacity and incomplete pedestrian networks. It identifies opportunities to improve bike and pedestrian access near stations and expand park-and-ride facilities. Future projects should emphasize multi-modal connectivity and prioritize improving access by all modes to transit facilities.

1. First Mile – Last Mile Connectivity
OCTOBER 21, 2015
MIAMI -DADE MPO - FISCAL PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

2. BACKGROUND
“Last and first mile” are terms used to describe the
difficulty in getting people to and from a transportation
hub

3. BACKGROUND
3
 First and Last Mile Connections –
The Toughest Mile in Transit
 Why is it important?
• Makes transit more accessible to and
from hubs
 Difference between First Mile and
Last Mile
• Riders can drive from home (first
mile); driving is not always an option
to destination
FIRST MILE LAST MILE

4. BACKGROUND
4
 Options for the First and the Last Mile
• Solo driving
• Carpooling
• Feeder / shuttle buses
• Municipal circulators
• Walking
• Bicycling
• Car sharing
• Taxis and transportation network
companies (i.e. Uber, Lyft, etc.)
• Jitneys
Source: LA Metro
Transit Access Sheds

5. EXISTING CONDITIONS – MODAL CATEGORIES
5
 Car access and egress
• Park-and-ride
• Carpooling and Vanpooling
• Kiss-and-ride
Factoids
• Nearly a third of Metrorail riders
access stations by car; only 6
percent use to destinations
• Taxis / shared cars reduce parking
demand and provide last-mile
connectivity

6. EXISTING CONDITIONS – MODAL CATEGORIES
6
 Transit access and egress
• Feeder services supply and
distribute passengers from trunk
routes
• Municipal circulators should extend
the reach of regional transit
network
• Employer provided van and shuttle
services bridge the gap (i.e. UM,
Baptist shuttles)
• Jitneys supplement bus
operations covering areas of low
demand

7. EXISTING CONDITIONS – MODAL CATEGORIES
7
 Non-motorized access and egress
• Pedestrian Facilities (walkways, canopy,
weather-protection)
• Bicycle Facilities – (i.e. racks, lockers,
sharing stations, etc.)
Factoids
• Nearly 95% of all Metrobus riders walk to
bus stops
• Nearly 1 in 3 riders walk to Metrorail
station; 2 in 3 walk from station to
destination
• Bicycle trips suitable for distances up to
three miles
• Walk trips suitable for distances up to half-
mile for premium transit

8. CHALLENGES – CAR ACCESS
8
 Capacity at park-and-rides
• ROW constraints
• Neighborhood impacts
• Construction costs
• Accessibility
◦ Pedestrian
◦ Bicycle
◦ ADA

9. CHALLENGES – TRANSIT ACCESS
9
 Somewhat disconnected municipal
circulator network
 Duplication of services
 Limited jitney network
 MDT service levels varies by facilities
 Transit systems integration

10. CHALLENGES – WALK ACCESS
10
 Incomplete bicycle and pedestrian network
Okeechobee Metrorail Station
Walking route using the existing pedestrian bridge

11. OPPORTUNITIES – WALK ACCESS
11
 Non-motorized Connectivity Plan – Okeechobee Station

12. OPPORTUNITIES – BIKE & WALK ACCESS
12
 Non-motorized Connectivity Plan – Golden Glades Terminal

13. OPPORTUNITIES – BIKE PARKING
13
• Provide safe, secure, and attractive bicycle parking at
stations and at park-and-ride lots
• Provide convenient on-vehicle capacity on buses and
within rail cars
• Integrate bike share station at transit facilities
New Tri-rail cars for bicycles Bike station, Union Station, Washington DC

14. OPPORTUNITIES – CAR ACCESS
14
 Creating new park-and-ride and multi-model terminals – Palmetto Intermodal
Terminal

15. OPPORTUNITIES – CAR ACCESS
15
 Busway park-and-ride improvements
• SW 152nd Street
• SW 168th Street
• SW 112th Avenue

16. OPPORTUNITY – LAND USE
16
 Implement Joint Development
Program
 Encourage Density and Access
through Zoning
 Encourage compatible land uses at or
near stations

17. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
17
 Future project to emphasize first and last mile –
NW 27th Bus Rapid Transit
NW 215th Street P&R
MIC
SR-112
HEFT
Miami Gardens Dr.
NW 79th Street
Unity Station Improvement Options
• Circulator, local, express and BRT services
• Park and ride
• Carpooling
• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Miami Airport Station
• Rail connections
• Feeder bus services
• Car sharing
• Taxi and TNCs (Uber)
Brownsville Station
• Transit oriented development (TOD)
• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Feeder and jitney Bus services

18. 18
 Coordinate transit access in corridor planning
 Strategically implement park-and-ride expansion
• Provide access for all modes
• Integrate with land use
 Coordinate municipal transit services
 Prioritize bicycle and pedestrian access in and around transit facilities
 Encourage bike share and car share in proximity to transit facilities
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?