Document Type
Professional Plan Capstone
Original Publication Date
2025
Date of Submission
May 2025
Abstract
Gender and geography are intersecting identities that can affect transportation access and therefore upward mobility. Mobility in rural areas is restricted by economic, temporal, and spatial limitations, as well as infrastructure accessibility. Gendered differences in mobility patterns influence the ability of women to utilize public transportation systems. There is a lack of consideration of rural women in transportation research and planning.
This paper seeks to understand the accessibility of public transportation systems in rural areas to women and how it can contribute to their upward mobility, by studying the Four County Transit system in Appalachian Virginia. Population demographics, current system performance metrics, and existing transit service to key community facilities were analyzed.
The existing public transportation service provided by Four County Transit has gaps in its accessibility and utility for women due to a lack of appropriate passenger infrastructure, lack of frequency and accessibility, and long travel times required to utilize the service. Mobility alternatives, such as mobility management and shared mobility services, are considered as potential transportation alternatives to help close the transportation gap for rural women. Access to reliable public transportation can improve the social and economic outcomes of women and the community as a whole.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects