We would like to share some insights of a paper that we recently presented at an international conference held in Paris entitled ‘Women’s Issues in Transportation’.
Many assumptions are made in transport planning with regard to travel patterns, which subsequently affect estimates of demand for travel and, therefore, supply of infrastructure.
In simple words, transport planners predict what will be the needs for travel of the population and governments try to supply it.
This approach has led to over-estimation of demand and, in some cases, the allocation of funds towards the average traveller who is male, mobile and middle aged.
In doing so, planners do not consider the various aspects of society and lifestyles that really influence travel.
There is a growing body of literature which is now looking at all aspects of population structures and behaviour to explain mobility in an attempt to: (i) invest more wisely in the most sustainable forms of transport and (ii) ensure there is a fairer and more equitable transport system, reflecting the real needs of all sectors of society.
What are the issues then?
Gender, for example, is a major factor in the population’s mobility. In the late 1970s, studies from the US started showing how women are transport-disadvantaged because they generally have lower accessibility and, therefore, lower mobility.
They own fewer cars, are dependent on public transport and travel less than men. Other aspects of life, such as employment and age, were also studied to establish what affected travel.
Our study looked at the Maltese population and their travel habits. By studying the 1998 and 2010 national household travel surveys, we established a clearer picture of how gendered our mobility patterns are. Here are some of the findings from the study.
In 1998, travellers who were female, relatively older, not married and not employed and who travelled for shopping were more likely to walk. Young married males who were employed chose to drive cars, particularly for leisure trips.
There is a complex relationship between the characteristics of a population and its transport needs
Bus use was also significantly gender-biased, with older females being more likely to use the bus then males who consistently preferred the car.
Similar statistical analysis was conducted on the 2010 dataset and no significant differences were noted in the patterns of use of particular modes of transport, taking into consideration socio-demographic variables.
Looking at the proportion of car use, in both 1998 and 2010, a significantly higher proportion of men used the car to travel. On the other hand, a higher proportion of women travelled by bus or on foot.
Despite this, a significantly higher proportion of men and women were using the car in 2010 when compared to 1998.
Similarly, a significantly lower proportion of men and women were travelling by bus or on foot in 2010 when compared to 1998.
These results might not suggest a convergence between the sexes. However, the increase in use of the car by females might indicate a greater number of female drivers in the future, as socio-economic characteristics of the population change (for example, participation in paid employment, ageing and so on).
There is a complex relationship between the characteristics of a population and its transport needs. In Malta, we have seen very little change over the last decade.
There is evidence of increased car dependence. However, the ‘disadvantage’ experienced by females in 1998 was still evident in 2010.
Our study has revealed important factors that might have an impact on the future of our transport system. Further research will have to be undertaken to predict and model future needs in view of socio-economic changes in the population but also changes imposed by phenomena such as climate change.
Maria Attard is director of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development and Frank Bezzina is deputy dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta.