Gendered Barriers to Travel: Moving from Understanding to Action
Sherin Francis & Katie Pearce
Jacobs, United Kingdom
This presentation was delivered at the 2021 Online Conference Series and until October 2022 is only available to registered delegates and Content Access Pass holders via Interchange. For information on accessing this and other presentations please review the Content Access Pass options.
ABSTRACT
Attendees of this session will hear Jacobs' Katie Pearce and Sherin Francis, transport specialists in inclusive travel, present their innovative and award winning'Lifecycle Approach' to gendered travel habits.
Why is this a necessary discussion? Most transportation planning guidance around the world does not stipulate the collection of gender disaggregated data for use in decision making. Taking an intersectional approach, this presentation builds the case that the lack of demographic and socio-economic disaggregated data, combined with a workforce that lacks diverse representation, presents a heightened risk of investment decisions that are unable to reach Under-Represented Groups (URGs).
The research will demonstrate that gender-based differences in travel are not linear across a person's lifetime, and explores how aspects of transportation planning could be refocused so that women and other minorities can fully benefit from investment decisions. Using a combination of stakeholder engagement and gender and age disaggregated data the research captures the unique challenges that are faced by women at different ages around both observed travel behaviour and perceptions.
This presentation will cover themes such as:
- Prioritizing inclusive data collection from project inception;
- Option appraisal that captures the value and nuances of non-commuting trips such as caregiving;
- Design that considers personal security perceptions;
- Operational monitoring and evaluation which captures the demographic spread of benefits; and
- Global variations in gender approaches within appraisal guidance.
Recognizing and including the travel patterns of URGs has the potential to transform how investment decisions are made. By outlining specific challenges and recommendations, this session will provide a framework for transportation professionals to capitalize on current trends and make inclusive transportation outcomes a reality.
Author(s)
Sherin Francis | Jacobs
Sherin Francis is a Transport Planner with Jacobs based in the UK. Sherin holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from India and MSc. Eng. in Transport Planning and Engineering (Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, UK).
Sherin specialises in transport strategy, policy creation, and business case development and assurance. Alongside strong project delivery, Sherin and Katie are thought leaders across inclusive transport closely working with transport authorities in the UK. Both Sherin and Katie are members of the global Jacobs Women’s Network leadership team and is passionate about inclusion and diversity.
Katie Pearce | Jacobs
Katie Pearce is a Transport Planner with Jacobs based in the UK. Katie holds an undergraduate degree in Physics (University of Exeter) and then completed a part-time MSc in Transport Planning and Engineering (University of Southampton) whilst continuing to work as a transport modeller.
Katie specialises in transport strategy, policy creation, and business case development and assurance. Alongside strong project delivery, Sherin and Katie are thought leaders across inclusive transport closely working with transport authorities in the UK. Both Sherin and Katie are members of the global Jacobs Women’s Network leadership team and is passionate about inclusion and diversity.
