The Last Mile Solution: Improving Health & Access to Transportation for Camden’s Vulnerable Populations

Completion Date: December 2022

Funding Agency: South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA)

Abstract: The project, is a joint effort by Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, in collaboration with Rowan University: Center for Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATES), and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA).  The specific project objectives include:

• Explore the last mile problems in the unserved communities in the State of New Jersey with a focus on Camden as a case study;
• Examine current transportation networks and assess improvements needed to facilitate equitable, affordable, and implementable last-mile transportation options;
• Identify best practices and lessons learned from other states to mitigate the last-mile problems;
• Undertake an extensive community and a business outreach effort. This will include the following specific objectives:
  • Review and determine best practices from other programs in New Jersey and the region and develop an inventory of potential solutions
  • Develop a framework and parameters of the plan, followed by specific metrics of measurements
• Develop priorities and recommendations for the City, state, federal, and public health to keep people safe, healthy, and productive; and
• Develop a last-mile solution/plan (a transportation and health assessment and a pilot program for the City of Camden)