DIGITAL & STRATEGIC
UX DESIGN PRACTICE
SERVICE DESIGN
Travelling in a Woman’s Shoes
Understanding women’s travel needs in Ireland to inform the future of sustainable transport policy and design.
Transport is often understood to be gender-neutral, in that access is open to men and women equally. But a growing body of research is highlighting the challenges women face when it comes to mobility.
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Arup was commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to explore how public transport could be designed to cater the needs of women and gender-diverse people. Through one-to-one interviews in people’s homes and ride-alongs on transport, behavioural observations on the network and a 1,000-person representative survey, the research has led to some sharply defined research insights, presenting timely challenges for designers and policy-makers.
The report featured in many news publications, reached the front page of the Irish Times and also featured on RTÉ news where the main findings of the report were highlighted and discussed by the Minister for Transport. It has been presented to the CEO of the National Transport Authority and the findings are being included in plans for the new Metro Link project. Metro Link, the proposed high-frequency rail line connecting Dublin Airport to the city centre, and the proposed Cork Luas scheme have incorporated a gender lens into the design phase as a result of the report.
This report is relevant today and every day. Historically, transport has not been designed with the needs of women in mind. Supporting women and their travel needs will help Ireland transition to a carbon-neutral transport system.
Eamon Ryan
Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment & Communications. TD Dublin Bay South. Former leader of The Green Party.
Transport is often understood to be gender-neutral, in that access is open to men and women equally. But a growing body of research is highlighting the challenges women face when it comes to mobility.
The Travelling in a Woman’s Shoes report brings to life the experiences of women in Ireland through data and real-life stories, offering a fresh perspective on discussions about equal access to public infrastructure. Stitching together qualitative and quantitative data, the report sets out the intricate landscape of mobility patterns and behaviours in Ireland, while pointing towards opportunities for sustainable modal shift.
Filling this gender data gap is the first step in balancing the apparent male bias in the design of future transport solutions. While this study focused on women, at its core it is about inclusive design, and the methodology could be replicated and applied to any other social group for the same ends.
Read the report here
Project Highlights
Ethnographic Research to Address Gender Disparities in Travel
Arup's "Travelling in a Woman’s Shoes" study sought to understand the specific travel needs of women by analysing available data and global studies, focusing on Ireland. The project incorporated two primary research methods: an ethnographic study and a quantitative survey.
The ethnographic study involved 21 in-home interviews with women in Dublin and Cork, each lasting two hours. Participants were chosen to represent a wide range of demographics, geographic locations, and daily transport habits. The study revealed the importance of using gender-focused methods, such as ethnography, to better understand gender inequality and social inclusion in transport. This approach offered diverse perspectives and detailed insights into the daily challenges women face while travelling.
Fieldwork also involved accompanying women on their journeys to observe how they interact with the current transport infrastructure. The study highlighted gaps in gender-specific travel data and the need for such information to design more inclusive and sustainable transport systems. Ultimately, the findings aim to inform design solutions that could reduce transport-related emissions while improving women’s travel experiences.
Navigating Sensitive Insights for Gender Equality
Arup conducted interviews with women in Dublin and Cork, who shared deeply personal and sensitive stories. The team recognised the responsibility of handling these accounts with care and consideration. They also anticipated that the sensitive nature of the findings could make some people uncomfortable, as it revealed uncomfortable truths about inequality in transport planning. Additionally, designers might feel accused due to the study's results. Arup carefully navigated this complex landscape to produce an accurate, balanced report that was both engaging and thought-provoking, without being unduly provocative.
