Assessing the Risks of Burdening Transportation Infrastructure on Women

Abstract: Over the past decades, transportation researchers and policymakers have increasingly focused on issues of justice and equity in transportation planning. Historically, transportation infrastructure has prioritized fast vehicular access, often at the expense of pedestrians and marginalized communities. This vehicle-centric approach has contributed to the disconnection of disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly in mixed-use urban areas, where accessibility and the overall quality of life for residents are frequently overlooked. While some transportation infrastructures serve certain groups effectively, they simultaneously impose burdens on other communities.
A critical area that has received insufficient attention is the risk of these burdening transportation infrastructure on women. Women tend to have different travel patterns compared to men, typically walking longer distances, making frequent short trips, and combining multiple tasks in a single journey. They are also more likely to travel with children or elderly relatives and are more dependent on public transportation. These factors make women more vulnerable to the negative impacts of transportation systems that are not designed with their needs in mind.
This study seeks to assess the risks that burdening transportation infrastructures impose on women, exploring how these infrastructures impact their daily lives. We begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review to identify the specific risks associated with transportation assets that burden women. This is followed by an analysis of the 2022 RCP-awarded projects to uncover common patterns in transportation infrastructures that contribute to community segregation or place undue burdens on certain populations. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide decision-makers with actionable insights that can help mitigate these risks to women and promote more equitable transportation planning.