Potential Future Research

WGiT 2024 identified areas of potential future research aimed at advancing gender equity in transportation. The following research areas can help shape more inclusive, accessible, and equitable transportation systems:

• Gender-inclusive transportation design and policy development: Research is needed to develop gender-sensitive transportation planning standards that ensure safety, accessibility, and mobility for women and members of historically overburdened communities. Potential areas of study include designing public transit, shared mobility, mobility hubs, and active transportation infrastructure that effectively serve diverse users, including women, those with disabilities, older women, caregivers, and low-income groups. Additionally, researchers could explore strategies to prevent harassment, improve safety, and ensure equitable access across all transportation modes.
• Intersectional approaches in transportation research: Exploring how gender intersects with other social identities, such as race, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status, would help researchers understand transportation barriers faced by diverse populations. Studies could analyze the compounded challenges experienced by marginalized groups and identify ways to design transportation systems that address multiple dimensions of inequality. Developing policies and frameworks that reflect these intersecting identities could contribute to equitable transportation outcomes.
• Workforce development and gender equity: Research on workforce development initiatives in the transportation sector could explore how flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, and leadership development opportunities support the retention and advancement of women. Studies could also examine how organizational culture, diversity efforts, and inclusion strategies influence workforce recruitment and retention, particularly in overcoming barriers to leadership roles for women.
• Leadership and systemic change in transportation agencies: Understanding how transportation agencies institutionalize gender equity within transportation agencies is another potential area of research. This could include studying the effectiveness of leadership pipelines that reflect community diversity and examining how inclusive leadership practices—such as mentorship, equitable pay structures, and transparent accountability—help dismantle systemic barriers. Research could also assess the role of equity audits, longitudinal data collection, and targeted interventions in fostering institutional change.
• AI, emerging technologies, and gender equity: As AI and emerging technologies become increasingly integrated into transportation systems, research is needed to examine their impact—both positive and negative—on

• gender equity. Studies could focus on how AI tools, such as predictive models and decision-support systems, can be designed to promote gender equity in transportation planning and operations. Researchers could also address ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias, data quality issues, and the societal impact of technology on marginalized populations, and propose regulatory frameworks to ensure AI contributes to equitable outcomes.
• Community-centered research and policy impact: A core takeaway from WGiT 2024 is the importance of community-driven research. Future studies could prioritize actively engaging communities, especially women and marginalized groups, in transportation decision-making. Research could focus on inclusive engagement methods, data collection strategies, and ways to integrate community feedback into transportation policies and practices.
• Data collection, monitoring, and gender equity progress: Comprehensive data collection is essential for tracking progress on gender equity in transportation. Researchers could develop intersectional data methodologies to assess gender disparities in transportation access, safety, and use across different population groups. Longitudinal studies, equity audits, and data-driven policy assessments will be crucial for evaluating the impact of gender equity initiatives.

Collaborative, interdisciplinary research that integrates community insights and innovative technologies will be essential for advancing equitable transportation systems worldwide.