Last mile issue

[tomWU]

Hello!

We are running an innovation project. The aim is to find solutions for last mile issue. It's an issue of transferring a person from a train/bus station to his/her house/workplace. This distance may be covered by walking, but it is time-consuming and difficult in case of a retired person or a person with a burden. It may be covered by car, but it's often hard to find a place for park near bus/train station, to say nothing of traffic jams and pollution. Probably, some vehicles like Segway or GM's EN-V show the direction to solve the issue.
I am interested in your opinion as professional engineers. Which decisions would you propose to solve the problem?

 

[SomptingGuy]

Eastleigh. Also known as Beastly.

For a year or so I walked 10 mins to Brighton station, took a train (£13 a week) to Shoreham, then walked for 20 mins to my workplace. Plenty of time for reflection and some nice exercise. Plus there was an offy next to the station for the return trip.

There is a bloke who works here that walks about 7 miles each way each day. He passes my flat at about 8:30. That's quite a trek in the dark and rain.


- Steve

 

[cranky108]

What ever happened to books on tape? Or those learn a new language tapes?
And what of head phones? But not while driving please.

And so what if they have little shops in the stations. Amtrack has dinner service in the trains. Not that I take Amtrack, because it is to slow. Besides I sort of enjoy being felt up at the airport (jokeing).
But I hear they also want to same type of securty on Amtrack.

No wounder the car is so popular.

 

[SomptingGuy]

A former brother in law used to commute on the train from Plymouth to Newcastle (both English towns). He'd sometimes have two roast dinners in the buffet car to pass the time.

- Steve

 

[drawoh]

... but hey - you asked for opinion's not good ideas.

How about a trebuchet in front of the rider's house or apartment. The trebuchet flings them into a net mounted above the train station, and they are lowered into a train. When they return, a trebuchet at the train station flings them into a net mounted above their house or apartment. The force on and movement of the net cocks the first trebuchet for the next day's commute.

If they are willing to pay extra for the service, we could spray coffee and doughnuts at them as they hurtle overhead.

JHG

 

[cranky108]

Nets are not allowed in many newer home areas.

Maybe it is just better to put parking places next to the bus stop.

 

[drawoh]

cranky108,

If you move into a neighbourhood with a covenant (?) you are usually not allowed to have a pick-up truck in your driveway, any car on blocks, or a satellite dish. There are strict rules about your roofing, siding, and your lawn. Perhaps you are not allowed weird window decorations like chartreuse curtains. The people who write these things probably did not think about trebuchet's and nets.

The people who build these neighbourhoods are usually trying to keep out scum. I would think this rules out anyone who rides on transit.

JHG

 

[cranky108]

You are right that about 30 years ago when my neighbourhood was developed the covenant was written, but not specificaly for some modern issues.

No one has complained about my pickup parked on the street. Although they did complain about my neighbour parking three cars on the street.

The covenant does specify about antentini (sp?) rising above the roof line of the house. My dish is small, and can't be seen from the sidewalk.

So in general I can get away with some things, but large nets I believe would be frowned upon.