Women in Transport Research and Innovation: A European Perspective

Abstract

Several gender differences exist in the transport sector. These include accessibility to transport modes, safety and security when travelling, and the participation of women in transport research and innovation (R&I). In order to achieve sustainable and inclusive transport, planners and policymakers should consider all impacts on gender equality. This paper sheds light on two main issues which interconnect through the decision-making process. The first relates to women’s behaviour in the transport system (i.e., studies the gender mobility gap). The second concerns the role of women in transport R&I, particularly the topics covered by research projects and relevant descriptive statistics of their participation in the sector. Based on a literature review, this paper identifies critical issues in the European transport sector and key European Union policy initiatives and regulations that address gender equality and transport. The European Commission’s Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS) is used to summarise the status and evolution of European research in addressing women’s issues in transport. It also analyses the participation of women in European transport research and innovation activities. The paper assesses progress to date and identifies challenges and opportunities for women, mobility, and transport. It concludes by providing policy recommendations to overcome the major barriers to gender equality in the European transport sector and to transport research and innovation.

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.…”

“…Since women are more willing to use environmentally friendly modes of transport, their transport needs should be included in transport technologies aimed at low-emission mobility [18].…”

“…The fact that innovative technologies and increased automation are not always gender neutral and that women are less willing to use them should also be included, although transport safety and security are decisive factors for their mobility [18,19].…”

Promoting Women's Well-Being Through Socially Sustainable Urban Transport: A Developing Country Study

“…Diverse transport options and comprehensive plans play a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access for women. As highlighted by Hortelano et al (2021), a well-planned, multimodal transport system caters to the diverse travel patterns and needs of women. By offering a range of transport modes and comprehensive plans, urban environments can enhance the inclusivity of their transportation systems.…”

“…• A variety of transport options and comprehensive planning are essential for meeting diverse travel needs. • Multimodal transport systems contribute to the inclusivity of urban transportation (Akyelken, 2017;Guimarães et al, 2020;Hortelano et al, 2021)…”