The Concept of Fairness in Relation to Women Transport Users

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of ‘fairness’ in transport, specifically regarding women using public transport, future autonomous vehicle taxis or bicycle sharing. Women generally have varying and complex mobility patterns compared to men and suffer disproportionate fairness issues when using transport. Different concepts of fairness are explored, including: equality of opportunity, equity and justice (including procedural, social and distributional justice). While each of these concepts has different implications for women using transport, it is also recognized that fairness principles should apply to all people (regardless of sex, gender or other characteristics). Analysis of the different forms of mobility, as represented by public transport, autonomous vehicles and bicycle sharing, illustrate a variety of specific fairness issues. Factors such as safety and security, cost, physical design of infrastructure and vehicles, and characteristics such as low-income or childcare responsibilities arise in each case. The three cases also indicate a range of both horizonal fairness factors (similar people being treated similarly) and vertical fairness factors (such as more disadvantaged people receiving greater support). Further research is required into setting frameworks for a more comprehensive inclusion of, and balance between, different concepts of fairness and their interactions in both transport policy and practice.

Gender Differences in Transport Behaviour Patterns

“…Foreign sources also very often mention women´s requirement for safety and security [7,9,10,13,18,23,26]. Surprisingly, this was not confirmed in this investigation.…”

“…Similar problems, which are relevant in terms of the equal use of transport by women, also occur in public transport. These include the physical accessibility of the transport system (e.g., stops, stations, vehicle equipment, or greater travel comfort for people travelling with small children), the quality of services provided within the transport system (e.g., comfort, frequency, timetables), the spatial distribution of facilities and services and, above all, issues of safety and security, including perceived personal safety [9]. In some cases, safety and comfort may be a more important factor than travel time or transport expenses [10].…”

Fairness and Inclusion for Users of Surface Transport—An Exploratory Thematic Study for Irish Users

“…Fairness is the embodiment of equal treatment for all and is influenced by people's understanding of their own experiences relative to others, in addition to factors such as social demographics, equity of outcomes and opportunity, social justice, etc. [17].…”

Gender Equality and E-Scooters: Mind the Gap! A Statistical Analysis of the Sicily Region, Italy

“…Future research on the data collected through the survey would help operators successfully improve their mobility offerings for women (Pirra et al 2021).Until that time, already published research work focuses on the definition of "fairness" in transport especially for women using public transport, future autonomous cabs or bike sharing. This concept is related to equality of opportunity, equity and justice (including procedural, social and distributive justice) (Hail and McQuaid 2021). Factors such as safety, cost, physical design of infrastructure and vehicles, and factors such as low income or childcare responsibilities emerge as deterrents to the use of certain modal choices by women (Uteng 2012).…”

“…The second important factor is safety, not only related to the reduction of aggression and violence. As a result, a lot of women are forced to face fear while they use public transport (Hail and McQuaid 2021). This fact certainly induces women to change their behavior and habits, some even going so far as to give up work so as not to have to be exposed to that feeling during the journey.…”