How green last-mile infrastructure benefits your community

Overseeing transportation is one of the most important jobs of municipal leaders as it underpins a wide range of aspects within a municipality, including its economy, community connectedness and the health of the local environment.

One of the most deceptively challenging elements of effectively overseeing transportation is the development of last-mile transit infrastructure. That is, that last mile—or any short distance—that residents must travel from public transportation to their final destination. Historically, the last-mile problem has been addressed by fossil fuel-powered cars. For example, a commuter might drive a car several miles to the train station, where they then take a train to a different city.

In recent years, as municipal leaders have confronted this problem, green strategies have emerged as particularly effective solutions for last-mile infrastructure. Green strategies can look like cities introducing rentable bikes, using sustainable energy to power local bus routes, or simply re-developing their communities to be more walkable.

There are considerable economic, social and environmental benefits to this approach. It allows flexibility in that it’s both accessible to large, urban municipalities with established transit networks, as well as midsize cities. Even smaller municipalities can integrate elements of green last-mile infrastructure into their transportation programs.

Another chief benefit of green last-mile infrastructure is a reduction in pollution. By introducing bicycles, or by building transit hubs that are walkable, a commuter might no longer need to drive—decreasing their carbon footprint, which means less pollution. Similarly, when municipalities introduce mixed-use developments so residents can easily walk to restaurants and shops, then car traffic and pollution are once again reduced. The city of Richmond, Calif., recently took this approach and ended up seeing markedly lower emissions.

Green last-mile infrastructure can also boost a city’s efficiency and productivity. If there are fewer cars on the roads and less demand for parking, then that’s less time spent behind the wheel. This is especially timely as many major cities are experiencing growing densities. For evidence, just look at the Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan Update: by using these last-mile approaches, the city improved travel times and increased access to major employment centers, commercial areas, tourist attractions and recreation areas.

Lastly, another benefit of green last-mile infrastructure is equity—that is, making sure all residents have equal opportunity and equal access to transportation. When a city is more walkable, it’s more accessible to people from all socioeconomic backgrounds—such as people who may not otherwise have been able to afford a car or a transit pass. Highways and roads have historically been built through and at the expense of lower-income communities, exposing residents to increased noise and pollution. By reducing the number of cars on these roads, these communities will see an improved quality of life.

If you’re a municipality ready to take on a green last-mile infrastructure project, what are some best practices? First, prioritize planning. Clearly articulate the objectives of the project and the benefits it will bring to the community. Engage the public early and often and consider working with nearby municipalities that may have important lessons to impart—or infrastructure to link up with.

Data collection is also a best practice. Studying key metrics like the rates of congestion in your city, the number of collisions between cars and pedestrians, air quality levels and other factors will provide insights into how and why to implement green last-mile infrastructure.

You also should also be aware of the unique challenges your city may potentially face should you plan to carry out one or more of these projects. For example, medium and smaller cities with less established transit infrastructure won’t have as much to work with as their larger counterparts. The topology of a municipality can also pose a problem: In a very hilly city like San Francisco, it might be difficult to convert motorists into cyclists or pedestrians.

When your municipality next reviews its transportation plan, take care to identify any last-mile issues—and how green approaches can help address them. It’s likely that a green strategy will not only solve your transit problems, but also make for a healthier and more economically robust city.

Celeste Frye, AICP is co-founder and CEO of Public Works Partners LLC, a WBE/DBE/SBE certified planning and consulting firm specializing in multi-stakeholder initiatives and building strong connections across the government, nonprofit and private sectors. For more information, visit www.publicworkspartners.com.