Earlier studies of men's and women's travel behaviour have shown significant differences both in use of transport mode and travel length. Men use the car more often than women, while women travel more by public transport and walk more often than men. Men also have longer trips on average than women. For instance research on the journeys to work show that women have their work place localised closer to the home than men, and they use the car less often than men, also when controlled for distance. The differences between men and women can be found right back to the time personal travel surveys were first performed and in most countries, and they are still found. Everyday travel reflects social activities and relations to different social institutions. When examining differences in men's and women's travel performance, it is important to base the study on knowledge about activities on various social arenas which generate trips. There are three social areas which traditionally relate differently to men and women: the labour market, household work and responsibility for children and elderly relatives. These differences have spatial, temporal and economical impacts on men and women's everyday travel activities and use of transport modes. Social change in these areas will therefore also have effects on everyday travel. Analyses of the development of the everyday travel pattern of men and women from 1992 and 2001 in Norway are presented. In the analyses age (generation), education and occupation are important variables for comparing travel patterns between men and women to detect social changes in this ten-year period. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.
Abstract