The research landscape of first- and last-mile in public transport systems: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

A significant issue in public transportation systems is the first- and last-mile (FMLM) of urban mobility, which influences people's perceptions of accessibility and their decisions to use public transit. This bibliometric analysis quantifies the development of current research on FMLM in public transport, highlighting themes, trends, and gaps in the literature. This study analyzed data from Scopus and WoS databases using a bibliometric approach and applied PRISMA guidelines for article selection. The analysis involved performance analysis and science mapping to quantify scholarly contributions and uncover structural connections within the research community. The dataset included 427 documents, with China and the USA leading research output. The growing interest in FMLM research is reflected in the findings, which demonstrated an upward trend in publications that peaked in 2022. International collaborations also played an important role, underscoring the global relevance of FMLM challenges. Key themes from co-occurrence analysis mapped the landscape of the FMLM studies, including efficiency improvement, innovative and green transport solutions, social and behavioral studies, technological advancement, multimodality, planning, and contemporary challenges. Future research should focus on user behavior, equity, technological integration, and sustainability to enhance FMLM systems.

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