Beyond convenience: The critical imperative of planning and designing for women’s safety
At a glance
Transportation planning and design worldwide often miss a crucial design factor: the unique safety concerns and mobility patterns of women. When transportation systems overlook diverse needs, particularly those of women, it affects how people move through their communities and carries real consequences for accessibility, safety and quality of life.
Women’s travel behaviors are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including professional responsibilities, caregiving roles, and personal safety concerns. As more women commute to work, drive, and navigate public spaces independently, the persistent threat of harassment or violence has a profound psychological impact. This sense of vulnerability influences not only how women travel, but also when, where, and whether they choose to travel at all. Designing transportation networks that acknowledge and address these realities is essential to creating equitable, accessible, and safe mobility systems for everyone.
In this insight, we explore the differences in how women and men experience transportation, why these differences matter and how transportation engineers can incorporate gender-sensitive approaches to create more inclusive, resilient and practical designs.
The gender gap in transportation experience
Our recent report on the [Re]Generation of Mobility reveals we’re at a pivotal moment. We can reimagine mobility and community design to create more equitable communities. However, transportation infrastructure and the surrounding built environment must be designed holistically to meet the needs of all users, especially historically underserved groups such as women. This requires looking beyond public transit alone to address every aspect of community design that affects safety, accessibility and quality of life.
When transportation design overlooks gender differences, it can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Recent data from our [Re]Generation of Mobility report, supported by data from our CROSSROADS research, reveals significant disparities in how women perceive and utilize transportation:
- Only 64 percent of women agree that safe alternative transport options exist in their communities, compared to 70 percent of men.
- In the US, the gap is even wider: men show a net agreement of +17 percent that safe, non-car options are available, while women show a net disagreement of -12 percent, a striking 29-point difference.
These disparities matter. Research shows that gender-sensitive design can boost public transit ridership. For example, legacy transit systems, often built around male commuting patterns, might not effectively meet the more complex travel needs of women. Factors like better lighting, thoughtfully designed public spaces and accessible infrastructure all play a critical role in supporting women’s sense of safety and mobility, creating transportation networks that truly serve everyone.
Growing up as the daughter of immigrant women, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of public transit. My family's journey in a new country was intrinsically linked to the accessibility and safety of the transit system in Los Angeles. It was the lifeline that connected my mother to opportunities, enabling her to build a better future for us. This personal experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the societal impact of well-functioning public transportation.
The business case for inclusive transportation planning
True accessibility means creating transportation systems and public spaces that are welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender, age, ability or socioeconomic background. That’s why community-centered approaches are crucial.
Women’s mobility patterns and safety concerns differ significantly from those of men. With the overrepresentation of women in public transit usage, actively engaging women to understand their experiences and safety needs can enable greater freedom of movement across all modes of transport and the places and spaces in between.
It’s also beneficial for business. Research indicates that adopting gender-sensitive approaches can:
- Increase public transit ridership by making systems safer and more accessible for women
- Improve project outcomes through diverse and inclusive community engagement
- Enhance efficiency by designing transportation networks and schedules that better meet women’s travel needs
Holistic neighborhood design impacts the quality of life beyond transportation alone. Addressing women’s safety through thoughtful, integrated planning can directly contribute to community well-being.
Here’s where gender-sensitive and inclusive design matters most:
Transit stations and stops
- Accessible public restrooms and baby-changing facilities
- Ramps, elevators and designated seating areas for improved mobility
Traffic and street design
- Traffic calming measures for speed management
- Pedestrian-oriented streets with shorter crossings
- Protected intersections for vulnerable users
- Visible crosswalks with proper signals
Parking and land use planning
- Safe pedestrian pathways through parking lots
- Strategic lighting and clear sightlines
- Mixed-use developments that prevent isolated, low-activity zones
Technology and physical design solutions can work together to create safer environments. Enhanced street lighting, intuitive wayfinding, traffic calming features and safer parking lot layouts all play a role in addressing safety concerns. Shifting from car-centric to walkable, mixed-use environments can also support safer, more vibrant communities, helping to enable freedom of movement for everyone.
Some cities are already taking action. Toronto, for example, has embedded gender-inclusive principles into its planning frameworks. Through initiatives like SafeTO, the city has committed to enhancing public safety by improving street lighting, pedestrian pathways and community engagement. It has also conducted Women’s Safety Audits, working directly with women to identify unsafe areas and prioritize improvements in public space design. In Seattle, updated Environmental and Sustainability Management systems have been enabled and equity toolkits are used as standard practice during capital project development. These efforts demonstrate how meaningful change begins with listening to and responding to the lived experiences of women in their communities and then applying those insights to inform decision-making within transit agencies.
Designing for women’s safety isn’t just about transit, it’s about transforming how we shape our communities. When we plan with empathy and equity, we don’t just move people—we empower them.
Implementation strategies for transportation and community planners
Building on the importance of gender-sensitive design, we now explore specific strategies for implementation. Turning gender-sensitive and inclusive design into action starts with intentional planning. Here are some key strategies that transportation and community planners can use to create safer, more inclusive environments:
Use data to drive decisions
Collect gender-disaggregated data to understand how women experience not only public transit but also all aspects of community mobility and compare this with the experience of men. Consider perceptions of safety in parking lots, comfort with traffic speeds, and preferences regarding street design to better inform responsive solutions.
Engage the community and listen
Actively involve women in planning processes to capture their unique perspectives and needs across all aspects of community design. Tools like safety audits, where women can identify problematic areas, can provide direct and valuable insights.
Prioritise visible safety presence
Many women report feeling safer when other people are visibly present — not just through technology like CCTV, but through a real human presence. Having security personnel, police officers, or even community stewards in key locations, such as transit stops, parking areas, or pedestrian zones, can provide reassurance and help foster a sense of safety that cameras alone cannot deliver.
Design for real-world experiences
Implement gender-sensitive and inclusive design principles that address safety concerns across the built environment, from transit stops and parking lots to street layouts and urban design. Apply comprehensive safety principles, such as natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, and regular maintenance of public spaces to enhance the sense of security.
Plan for multi-modal mobility
Recognize that women’s travel patterns often involve multiple stops and different modes of transport. Design communities that safely support walking, biking, transit, and driving, considering how street design, speed limits, and land use can better serve the complex daily journeys of residents.
Update policies and regulations
Advocate for policies that intentionally address gender disparities in all aspects of community planning and development. This includes zoning regulations promoting mixed-use developments, parking requirements prioritizing safety, and street design standards that help manage traffic speeds.
A journey is shaped not only by distance but by a deep awareness of our surroundings. When we design transportation systems that recognize this and prioritize women’s safety, we enhance mobility, restore dignity, confidence, and the freedom to move without fear. It’s more than just reducing risk; we build trust, foster inclusion, and empower entire communities.
Transportation engineers and community planners have a unique opportunity to lead the way in creating more equitable and inclusive communities. By weaving gender considerations into every phase of planning, we can create environments that truly serve all users.