Different travel patterns by gender

When it comes to the factors that Reykjavík can have the greatest impact on in environmental and climate issues, it is clear that emissions from transportation are the largest share of societal emissions. If only simple carbon footprint is considered, transportation accounts for 82% of all emissions and it is clear that reducing emissions in Reykjavík must largely come from road transportation.

In order to reduce emissions, the City of Reykjavík plans to focus on promoting services and access to outdoor recreation areas, public transport within walking distance to residential areas and workplaces, and building infrastructure for public transportation. So far, the most effective measures by Icelandic authorities have been focused on reducing emissions from road transportation. These measures include taxing fossil fuels used in gasoline and diesel vehicles, while incentives are given for more eco- friendly vehicles and charging stations.

Traditional transportation plans, urban planning, and traffic models generally have not taken into account the different travel patterns of genders. Both foreign and domestic research shows that men generally travel less frequently but for longer periods throughout the day, while women take many short trips related to care and domestic labor.

The gendered effects of the prioritization of transportation projects in Iceland are poorly understood, making it difficult to assess whether the prioritization of projects and planning primarily takes into account the travel patterns and needs of men. At the same time, almost all decisions about transportation projects are made by men.

Icelandic and foreign research suggests that women are more likely than men to work near their homes. This is because the labor market is gender-segregated and men more often work in jobs located in cities or central areas. Women, on the other hand, are more often in jobs that are more distributed in the suburbs.

Women are more likely to want to prioritize transportation improvements between built-up areas within the workplace areas, but the men want to prioritize larger projects between workplace areas People prefer to spend more time with their families and at work than on their way to and from work. Therefore, the fastest and most efficient mode of transport is often chosen, both by women and men.