First/Last Mile Connections: Transportation Strategies

Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Department

What are first mile and last mile connections?

A first mile connection(FM) is the beginning of an individual trip made primarily by public transportation. The traveler might have driven to the train station at the start, or perhaps they took a local bus or walked.

Similarly, a last mile connection(LM) is the gap the traveler must navigate from public transit to their destination. 

Purpose

This research focuses on the parties and processes involved and steps needed to transform public space, defining a continuous last-mile transit solution along the Main Line in a dynamic report, with the goal of producing designs for those multi-use pathways.

The problem

City Avenue originally developed as the first exit outside of Philadelphia and served as the first suburban port to the city. With increasing development, that advantage has since been lost; the township will need a more balanced transportation strategy to succeed. About 8 years ago the District was rezoned to promote higher density mixed use development. New development is required to install multi-use pathways around the perimeter. 

>90% of adults think walking to transportation is reasonable.

According to a 2016 study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. However, less than half (43%) think walking a mile or more, or for 20+ minutes is reasonable. The most effective strategy is to focus on those adults who think walking less than one mile is reasonable. 

Solutions

Studying modes of micro-mobility and multi-travel methods that have recently emerged, such as bikeshare and Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device(EPAMDs), is imperative to understand modern goals. Our transportation strategy includes creating a designated multi-use pathway that is neither sidewalk or street, but is reserved for bikes, micro-mobility and leisure. This pathway will provide as an effective first/last mile transit connection to train stations along the Main Line.

Travel time

is one of the critical influences reflecting the feasibility of transit use. In addition to First Mile Last Mile(FMLM) challenges, Public Transit Accessibility(PTA) directly influences someone’s choice of transit mode. As defined by Burns and Koenig, the two main components of PTA are activity and transportation.

Micromobility options like bikes and scooters

have the potential to increase the distance deemed reasonable by adults and solve cities’ first and last mile problems. For instance, many people that choose to commute via car may do so because their residence or destination is outside of a comfortable walking distance from public transportation.


What is Micromobility?

Micromobility is an umbrella term for modes of transportation that share some distinct features, such as the increased flexibility in routes and access, and scale, as these vehicles serve individual users.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania defines certain modes in terms of their registration and limitations.

There are specific types of electric mobility devices that are legal in Pennsylvania.

For the purpose of this presentation, we will start with focusing on the modes that are legal in Pennsylvania.

Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device(EPAMDs):

  • A self-balancing, two-nontandem-wheeled device designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system.
  • These are legally allowed to be operated on sidewalks and roadways in the state of Pennsylvania, unless prohibited by local ordinance
  • Classified as vehicles, but not motor vehicles, and as such, should follow laws related to and be treated by motorists the same as a bicycle
  • Segway® Human Transporters are the only devices in PA that qualify as electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs)

Segways: Pros and Cons

Cons:

  • Retail at $5950.00
  • Insurance
  • 90-120 lbs
  • Learning curve

Pros:

    • Top speed of 10mph(3x faster than walking)
    • Classified under the legal rules of a bicycle
    • "Consumer product"
    • All Segway balancing boards are EPAMDS: variety of style

    

*must have a light at nighttime

*12 and under must wear a helmet

Hoverboards?

Pennsylvania law has not specified the legality of hoverboards. Certain colleges have banned the use of hoverboards.

Because of the short lifespan of their lithium battery, it is generally discouraged in a public setting.

Loophole: Segway technology is patented, and classified under EPAMD rules. Devices such as the MiniPro are currently not specified as an EPAMD or a hoverboard, but because they are protected under Segway brand, they are considered legal.

MiniPros cost range from $300-600.

In 2018, Segway got bought by Ninebot and their companies merged. The new Minipros are called "Ninebots", and have extended battery life but design changes.

The nice thing about Ninebots...

You can attach a handlebar and effectively have a "Segway", complete with better handling and a smaller and lighter machine to operate.

Electric Bicycles

Electric Bicycles

Act 154 of 2014 says that E-Bikes are allowed if:

Pedalcycles with Electric Assist(e-Bike)

-include operable pedals

-speed limit of 20 mph under power

-motor rated at no more than 750 watts

-no more than 3 wheels

-weight not more than 100 pounds

-and not to be operated by persons under 16 years old.

In the state of PA,

Only Class 1 Low-Speed Pedal Assist E-bikes(left) are allowed. Class 2 Throttle on Demand(right) and Class 3 Speed Pedelecs are not permitted.

How do I classify my "motor scooter"?

Level 1: Moped

To be labeled a moped, the bike must have a motor and pedals that propel it.

The motor must be 50 CC or smaller and is limited to 1.5 brake horsepower. Mopeds also may not exceed 25 miles per hour and must have automatic transmissions.

Class C driver’s license

Register moped for a $9 fee

Special moped license plate

Safety: Typically without catalytic converters, emit ten to thirty times the hydrocarbons and particulate emissions

Not allowed on high-speed roads

5 litre tank= 1.3-1.5 gallons, roughly 100 miles

Level 2: Motor-Driven Cycles

lIf your moped does not have operable pedals, under PA law it is a "motor-driven cycle".

PA law defines scooters as "motor-driven cycles".

No more than 5 brake horsepower

~150 CC maximum(freeway legal)

Scooters must be inspected

Motorcycle plate

Eye protection required

Insurance

Class M driver's license (if "8" restriction, only allowed cycles 50cc or less)

As low as $600

Level 3: Motorcycle

if your motor-driven cycle can do more than 5 brake horsepower(e.g. 60+ mph) it is a motorcycle.

A motorcycle must have a seat for the rider.

Inspection, insurance, M license, and eye protection are required.

What about this?

Lime scooters are classified as "Motor-driven cycles" They:

-Must pass vehicle inspection

-Because vehicle inspection requires things like rear-view mirrors, turn signals, and fenders, they would never be able to pass inspection. They are effectively illegal in Pennsylvania

-"E-scooter"- to classify as bicycles

-Docking technology: The cost is $1 to unlock and 15 cents a minute to ride. Control pick up/drop off with the Lime App

Title 75 (Vehicles) to define “electric low-speed scooters” (“Low-Speed Scooters”) Daniel Laughlin April 10, 2019

Some other micromobility modes prohibited in Pennsylvania...

E-skates

In all of PA, normal skateboards are not permitted except on public property. Lower Merion specifically states,

Article IX Miscellaneous Regulations: "The use of skateboards or skateshoes on all Township property and on sidewalks and streets in the Township is hereby prohibited, except on minor streets and tertiary arterial streets, as defined in §  135-2  of Chapter  135 , Subdivision and Land Development"

That includes this, too

E-skateboard

Throttle on Demand bikes

Under PA law, an electric bike with throttle prepulsion is considered a motorcycle, and must pass inspection

tail lights, fenders, turn signals, etc

What should Lower Merion do?

Based on all of this information, the question now is to decide which methods of micromobility are best for Lower Merion Township to adopt.

 Given the demographic of a majority upper-middle class, single-family homes, Lower MErion Township residents are most interested in a trendy, clean and effective way to close the gap between home and the train station. To cut down on traffic and to bring more people outside, my research suggests that the Segway Ninebot model would be the most popular choice.

Lower Merion Township(and all of PA) already accepts Segway technology as EPAMD under the law.

EPAMDs require no registration, and are the easiest mode of micro-mobility.

Devices such as the MiniPro are lighter weight, and possible to carry onto trains.

E-Bikes and/or motor-driven cycles can be locked at stations and offer variability in travel.