Gender Difference Analysis in Commuter Trips in Public Transit Mode in Metropolitan, China: Taking Jinhe Residential Community in Peripheral New Town of Shanghai As an Example

Abstract

It is increasingly important to research women's travel behavior as female commuters increasingly play a significant role in transit systems. Working women show different travel characteristics in commute travel versus women who work in their households. In the process of suburbanization, the imbalance of public transit service and new travel demands adds to women commuters' burden. A study was conducted to research the gender differences in commute trips in public transit mode in metropolitan China. A questionnaire and a depth interview were carried out in Shanghai to collect commuters' trip characteristics, commuters' satisfaction with public transit and the commute costs' influence on commuter's life quality. This paper found out and analyzed these gender differences and correlation relationship in commute travel. Then suggestions for improvement were proposed in different respects to meet women commuters' unique demands, such as transport policy making, public transit service supply and residential community improvement.