Sexual harassment and its effects on transport mode choice: An analysis with a gender perspective

The perception of unsafety, along with other factors, can significantly influence mobility decisions, including the choice of public transport modes. Women feel more unsafe than men. Despite this, most infrastructure and transport services have historically ignored the differing needs of men and women. However, it is important to study gender differences for effective transport planning and to provide a safe system that is not a disadvantage for any group of people. This study aims to analyse the factors associated with the perception of unsafety and how it impacts the choice of public transport modes. It focuses on gender differences, using Santiago, Chile, as a case study. Mode choice data was collected through a revealed preferences survey, with which a hybrid discrete choice model was estimated, incorporating a latent variable termed “unease,” combining unsafety and discomfort elements. Results show that women, especially younger ones, experience a higher perception of unsafety and discomfort, which intensifies when they live in a district with high rates of assault. As a result, people with a greater perception of unease tend to prefer the subway, either exclusively or in combination with the bus, instead of using only the bus. Additionally, it was observed that occasional users are more sensitive to bus waiting times. The study highlights the need for public policies and suggests measures to address these concerns to promote safer, more sustainable, and equitable mobility.