Page 39 - TrafficInfraTech Magazine - July Digital Edition

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

• Tailor Services for Different
Demographics: Designing last-
mile services based on station
demographics, to cater to the
preferences of different commuter
segments, is crucial. For instance,
cities can consider introducing
on-demand, app-based mobility
services in higher-income areas
where demand for faster and
more comfortable modes may be
a preference.
• Ensure Affordability and
Accessibility: Prioritizing the
development of low-cost
shared services and access
infrastructure, catering to a
broader range of commuters,
Women prefer to opt for expensive last-mile services to avoid waiting. is essential. This includes
(Pic by ShutterStock) improving walking and cycling
trips across the cities. Shared- How can we optimize infrastructure around metro
autorickshaws (in cities that they last-mile connectivity? stations and establishing
are available in) emerged as the Effective last-mile planning requires targeted fare products to
most popular last-mile mode where a systematic approach that considers attract wider income group
Rs 5 to Rs 15 is considered as an commuter preferences, constraints, users to the metro.
acceptable fare range depending and the unique characteristics of • Cater for Responsive High-
on the distance. each mode of transportation. By Frequency Services: Cities
Metro users, especially women, analyzing broad first/last-mile trip can conduct regular demand
analysis to identify peak travel
are more averse to waiting too patterns and distances from metro times and patterns. Based on
long for last-mile modes outside stations, planners can prioritize the the analysis, high-frequency
metro stations (possibly due most suitable combination of last- shared services can be operated
to safety reasons). In Delhi, 89 mile modes, tailored to the needs with short intervals to ensure
percent of women opted for and preferences of commuters, that the services remain
shared auto-rickshaws, over thereby optimizing their overall financially viable and responsive
buses, given the high frequency travel experience. to commuter needs.
and availability of shared auto- To achieve successful last-mile
rickshaws, even though bus planning, the following steps are These guidelines can be
services are free for women. essential: implemented considering the
specific requirements of each
The survey shows that commuters • Establish a Data-Gathering location, enabling city planners to
are also drawn to a particular Process: Implementing a develop an efficient and user-centric
metro station based on the access periodic data collection system last-mile transportation system
time (wait and travel time to get to understand commuter travel that seamlessly complements the
to the station), and not necessarily needs, constraints, and reasons existing metro infrastructure. This
the distance from the station. If for not using the metro can will not only encourage more people
accessing the metro takes longer be a game-changer. This data to use public transport but will also
than approximately 20 minutes, collection can be undertaken by reduce overall traffic congestion,
very few users consider taking it, the metro agencies, which can accelerate decarbonization of the
given the current average distance further be implemented by the transport sector and improve air
travelled using metros in these cities. state’s transport department. quality in our cities.

www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com / July 2023 / TrafficInfraTech 39