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Building Sustainable and Connected Communities by Addressing Public Transportation’s First-Mile Problem: Insights from a Stated Preference Survey in El Paso, Texas

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Li

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Chanam Lee

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Samuel D. Towne

    (School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
    Disability, Aging & Technology Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Sinan Zhong

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Jiahe Bian

    (School of Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA)

  • Hanwool Lee

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Sungmin Lee

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Xuemei Zhu

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Youngre Noh

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Yang Song

    (Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Marcia G. Ory

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

Abstract

Public transportation is an essential component of building sustainable communities. However, its ridership remains low in most cities in the United States. Among the major barriers is the long distance to the bus stops, called the first-mile problem. Using a stated preference survey among 1056 residents of El Paso, Texas, this study addresses this problem by estimating additional transit trips that can be expected from the implementation of hypothetical, free shuttles between one’s home and the closest bus stops. Participants reported 7.73 additional transit trips per week (469% increase from the current baseline), including 3.03 additional trips for work, 1.94 for daily errands, 1.64 for leisure or social, and 0.93 for exercise or sports. The percentage of transit non-users dropped from 77.6% (baseline) to 38.2%. With the free shuttle service, respondents would favor bus rapid transit more than regular buses (4.72 vs. 3.00 additional trips). Residents identifying as an existing transit user, being Hispanic/Latino, owning at least one automobile, living within 1 mile of a transit stop, and feeling safe while riding the bus would make significantly more transit trips due to the service. This study suggests that programs to address/reduce the first-mile problem could increase transit demand and, therefore, contribute to creating sustainable and more connected communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Li & Chanam Lee & Samuel D. Towne & Sinan Zhong & Jiahe Bian & Hanwool Lee & Sungmin Lee & Xuemei Zhu & Youngre Noh & Yang Song & Marcia G. Ory, 2024. "Building Sustainable and Connected Communities by Addressing Public Transportation’s First-Mile Problem: Insights from a Stated Preference Survey in El Paso, Texas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:1783-:d:1343263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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