last mile problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"last mile problem" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It usually refers to an issue in the delivery and transportation of goods from the point of production to the point of consumption. For example, "The e-commerce company was faced with a last mile problem when it came to delivering packages to rural areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

A Moral Argument for Creating the Health Impact Fund; 7. The Last Mile Problem; 8.

Yale University

We think we have part of the answer to the last mile problem".

The New York Times

They await a solution to the famous "last mile" problem: extending affordable broadband service to each person's doorstep.

The New York Times

The group's strategy will efficiently solve the "last mile" problem without losing the virtues of the private automobile, Mitchell says.

MIT Technology Review

For although telegraph wires could deliver news more rapidly than ever, they had a "last mile" problem: they could not disseminate news quickly to thousands of people.

The Economist

In short, Dr Cooper hopes that i-Burst will cut two technological Gordian knots at the same time, providing fast mobile-data access, and also a wireless solution to the "last mile" problem of providing high-speed broadband access to the home.A relay raceProponents of mesh networks also believe that they have found a way around the last-mile problem.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

This paper examines the role that public transport last mile problems play in mode choice decisions of commuters, while controlling for trip, built environment, and decision maker related variables.

Journal of Transport Geography

In contrast to previous work on transit last mile problems, which has focused on physical distance and sidewalks to transit stops, we consider a wider range of area factors including transit availability, job accessibility, parking costs, the quality of the pedestrian environment and risks to pedestrians from vehicular traffic, and social characteristics such as street-level crime.

Journal of Transport Geography

Of course there are practical applications pertaining to last mile problems and robotic delivery as well.

TechCrunch

She was tasked with answering the question, how might the MTA facilitate and encourage the use of emerging mobility technologies and services (e.g. bikeshare, micro transit, etc). to address the first-last mile problem?

Yale University

UberPool and Lyft Shared allow public transportation riders an option for that so-called first mile-last mile problem at a lower cost than hailing a solo ride.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last mile problem" to concisely describe the difficulties in reaching the end consumer or achieving complete implementation, assuming your audience understands the term.

Common error

Avoid using "last mile problem" as a catch-all phrase without acknowledging the unique challenges within that specific final stage. Each context has different variables and requires tailored solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last mile problem" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific type of logistical or implementation challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, highlighting its role in describing difficulties across various sectors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last mile problem" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe the challenges in completing the final step of a process, particularly in logistics, telecommunications, and healthcare. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. As a noun phrase, it succinctly identifies a specific class of difficulties related to reaching the end-user. While frequently used in News & Media, Academia and Science, the term maintains a neutral to professional register. To avoid oversimplification, it's crucial to specify the context when using "last mile problem" and to acknowledge the unique challenges within that specific final stage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final delivery challenge

Focuses specifically on the difficulties in the concluding part of distribution.

last leg obstacle

Emphasizes the hurdle encountered during the terminal segment.

terminal phase difficulty

Highlights the issues experienced in the concluding stage.

end-stage bottleneck

Points out a constriction or impediment in the final part of a process.

final stretch complication

Suggests a complexity arising near the completion of a task.

ultimate step hurdle

Focuses on the final barrier to overcome in a process.

end-of-the-line issue

Highlights the difficulty at the very end of a process or system.

completion phase challenge

Addresses a challenge during the act of finishing something.

final implementation difficulty

Specific to problems encountered when putting something into effect.

last stage complication

Refers to a complexity encountered at the ultimate phase.

FAQs

What does the phrase "last mile problem" mean?

The "last mile problem" refers to the challenge of connecting the final stage of a process to the end user, whether it's delivering goods, providing internet access, or ensuring vaccine distribution. It often involves significant logistical and economic hurdles.

How can I use "last mile problem" in a sentence?

You can use "last mile problem" to describe difficulties in various contexts, such as: "The company is struggling with the "last mile problem" of delivering packages to rural areas" or "Innovations are needed to address the "last mile problem" in broadband access in underserved communities".

What are some alternative phrases for "last mile problem"?

Alternatives include "final delivery challenge", "terminal phase difficulty", or "end-stage bottleneck", depending on the specific context.

In what industries is the "last mile problem" most relevant?

The "last mile problem" is particularly relevant in telecommunications, logistics, healthcare (especially vaccine distribution), and urban planning, where connecting the final link to the end user poses significant challenges.