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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2017)
6 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES Dear EarthTalk: What are plan- ners and designers doing to solve the so-called “last-mile” problem regarding transit? – Ginny R., via e-mail Solving the “last mile” problem— that is, getting transit riders from their bus stop, train station or ferry terminal “the last mile” to the door- step of their home or workplace—has plagued urban planners since the dawn of public transportation. “Most people in the United States are ‘comfortable’ walking less than a quarter mile to or from public transit stops,” said Alex Gibson of TransLoc, which works on solutions to transit problems using app-based technologies. “The problem arises when a potential rider is further than a ‘comfortable distance’ to the neces- sary fixed-route stop.” Widespread suburbanization across the United States is part and parcel of the problem, given that fewer and fewer of us now live within walking distance to public transportation options. The result is more private cars on the road (and the accompanying carbon and air pollution) and underutilized public transit systems. So, what can be done to overcome this last-mile hurdle? Some munici- palities and counties run feeder buses that circle the suburbs and bring rid- ers right from their homes or a nearby corner to a transit hub. Likewise, Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing ser- vices can help transit riders fill in this gap, especially in a pinch. But these are hardly the most cost- or energy- efficient fixes to the last-mile problem. One time-tested solution is bicycles. Many regions have stepped up their commitment to installing more bike lanes accordingly. While a bike, either the traditional kind or one of the new battery- assisted models, works fine if you have somewhere safe to lock it up or can bring it inside. Folding bikes may be a better option for “intermodal” commuters (who pair biking with a bus or train or ferry). London office workers swear by their folding Bromptons. Another increasingly viable option is hopping on a pay-as-you-go share bike which you can pick up in one part of town and drop off in another. Beyond bikes, e-scooters—check the Stigo E-Scooter and Segway’s new MiniPro—are gaining traction and market share across the country. And let’s not forget about the oldest last mile option of all: walking. Den- ver, Nashville and Los Angeles have made strides in fixing infrastructure to encourage transit riders to go the extra mile on foot. “Because most riders in high rid- Call Now: 855-977-7853 Their Price Crestor TM 914.18 $ Typical US Brand Price for 40mg x 100 Our Price Rosuvastatin * $ 148 Generic equivalent of Crestor TM Generic price for for 40mg x 100 Are You Still Paying Too Much For Your Medications? You can save up to 97% when you fi ll your prescriptions with our Canadian and International prescription service. 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Finally, the park is situ- ated adjacent to other regional open space and transportation corridors and assets. To the south are Willa- mette Moorage Park, Powers Marine Park and the Sellwood Bridge.” Ross noted that the project went through a 9-month land use process via the Bureau of Development Ser- vices. As part of that review, great care was taken in choosing the proper plantings along the river’s edge. 160.00 Physicians Mutual Insurance Company A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve Generic Price for 250-50mcg x 180 772.37 vs Raloxifene * Typical US Brand Price for 60mg x 100 Generic Price for 0.625mg x 84 $ 2526.76 vs Tadalafi l * $ Typical US Brand Price for 250-50mcg x 180 458 vs Conj. 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