Gender differences in commuting patterns: a study of FEUP students' travel behaviour in selected academic years

Gender equity in transport systems has become a central concern in urban mobility research, particularly as societal roles evolve and new mobility paradigms emerge. University students, as both representatives of current socio-cultural dynamics and precursors of future behavioural trends, offer a unique lens through which to examine changing mobility patterns. This study presents a longitudinal analysis of gender differences in commuting behaviours among students at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), located in the Greater Porto area of Portugal. This Faculty is an important traffic generator. The study uses personal survey data and spatial analysis from the 2006, 2012, 2017 and 2023 academic years. It employs a mixed-methods approach to examine the influence of gender equity on travel behaviour and housing choices and its evolution over time. The results explain tendencies and multifactorial gender differences in the choice of transport mode to reach the University. The researchers observed differences in transport mode preference between women and men. These findings suggest that urban planners, practitioners, policy and decision-makers should join efforts towards developing gender-sensitive strategies and integrated transport policy packages in university settings to reduce gender inequities in sustainable mobility. Promoting equitable and sustainable transport options is essential to addressing mobility-related gender disparities and fostering inclusive access to higher education.