Mainland-Island Commuting During the Off-Season: a Particular Last-Mile Problem. The Case of Capri Island

The first and last mile challenge is crucial for creating a sustainable mobility framework. These segments, involving travel from the origin to a transport hub (first mile) and from the hub to the final destination (last mile), must rely on environmentally friendly transportation modes. While this issue is significant in urban areas, it becomes even more challenging in island contexts, which often feature fragile ecosystems and must balance connectivity, sustainability, and economic development. Islands are geographically isolated, requiring maritime transport for access to the mainland. Consequently, addressing the complexities of moving people to and from the port becomes crucial. This study highlights the unique transportation challenges faced by island communities. Specifically, it aims to provide insights into addressing last-mile issues to develop sustainable mobility solutions for commuters during the off-season. The case of Capri Island has been selected to test the feasibility of the proposed approach. Results show that customized solutions need to be identified, thus balancing mobility issues with the environmental constraints of island contexts.