First Mile/Last Mile Transportation Strategic Plan

Project Contact: Lori Reese-Brown, Transportation Department, 510-620-6869 - lori_reese-brown@ci.richmond.ca.us

Project Description

The City is studying ways to enhance mobility within the Richmond community and between the city and everyday destinations throughout the region. The study will identify what strategies can be deployed to improve access to transit and connectivity across all types of travel. The outcome will be the First Mile/Last Mile Transportation Strategic Plan to focus transportation investments where they can have the biggest and most lasting impact.

The project team was led by the City Manager's office and includes the Local Government Commission (LGC) and NelsonNygaard, the transportation consultant that is preparing the plan. The effort is made possible with the support of a 2016-17 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant entitled, “Richmond Integrated and Equitable Multimodal Mobility Plan,” awarded to the City in partnership with LGC.

 What does “first mile/last mile” mean?

Transportation trips can be understood as the entire journey from origin to destination –  for example, to and from work, school, medical appointments, shopping or entertainment. Individuals often use multiple types of travel to complete the journey. They may walk, drive, ride a bicycle, take a bus or train, or in many cases combine a number of modes. While bus and rail services might cover the core of these trips, people often need to complete the first and last portion by other means. They must first walk, drive or use another method to get to and from the nearest station or stop. This is referred to the “first mile/last mile” of the user’s trip.

Past Activity

Stakeholder listening sessions and interviews were held during summer and early fall 2017, followed by a community workshop to learn about mobility needs across different sectors and demographics, challenges that residents and employees of all ages and abilities face getting to and from destinations inside and outside the city, and barriers or gaps in the local transportation network, particularly across different transit systems.

Pop up events were held at the Richmond BART station and East Brother Tap Room in conjunction with Bike to Work Day to collect input and preferences for infrastructure improvements and citywide policies, programs and services for enhanced mobility and access to transit.

The City and its project team, in partnership with Main Street Initiative, also hosted an Open House at the City’s R-Transit building at the Richmond BART Station in which stakeholders, community members, transit riders and others weighed in on proposed improvements and potential citywide policies and programs.

Documents

Richmond First Mile/Last Mile Transportation Strategic Plan Final Report

Inventory of Modern Practices

Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment