First mile

[edit] In brief

First mile is a term often used in relation to transport, commuting and logistics as well as telecommunications and data networks.

[edit] Logistics and distribution

It describes the first part of a journey of a product distribution system, also referred to as from the factory gate (where a product is manufactured) to warehouse (where it is stored for distrubution). The vehicles used for first transportation of products may even be referred to as first mile delivery trucks, being the last element after activities such as order picking, packing and loading prior to the distribution process. It is often a critical part of supply chain logistics to ensure sufficient turnover to supply demand, by avoiding back logs or etc as disruption at this stage of the journey impacts all other stages.

[edit] Transport and planning

In terms of transportation or more specifically commuting, it is common for first mile to describe the distance between a public transport node and the end-destination (an office), and the last mile being between last public transport node and the commuter's home. Though may indeed also be switched if a study focuses on a users perspective, in terms of their commuting journey from home to work and back again.

This kind of approach to the understanding of transport and logistics has also been used in the development of urban planning concepts such as the 15 minute city. The 15 minute city is a concept for a community in which essential amenities and services are all located within a 15 minute walking or cycling radius. It is an anti-car, anti-fossil fuel approach to urban planning that includes accompanying measures to provide safe walking and cycling routes while supporting local businesses and communities.

[edit] Telecommunication and data networks

The same principle is applied to telecommunications and data networks, where first mile (from an end user perspective) refers to the initial segment of a network or distribution system from their home. So likely to include local phone lines, fibre optic, or wireless connections, that connect the home of end-user to the broader internet. However service providers might refer to this as last mile because it is the final element of a distribution network from their perspective, the first mile being the initial infrastructure from their service centre.

In terms of the Internet of Things (IoT) the first mile refers to where data is collected from various sensors and devices, and then transmitted to a data centre or processing facility. This first mile may involve some early stage localised data aggregation and preprocessing, before wider transmission to a centralised centre or cloud.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• 15 minute city.
• 15 Minute city urban design project.
• Collaborative practices for building design and construction
• Construction logistics plan.
• Designing smart cities.
• Dispatchable generation.
• Energy balancing.
• Energy supply.
• Distribution networks.
• Distribution Use of System.
• Forward-logistics.
• Just in time logistics.
• Logistics management.
• Logistics management in construction.
• Power generation.