The aim is to obtain self-evaluation tools, recommendations and protocols to improve the European transport systems for users, as well as to favour women entering the sector as professionals
The European DIAMOND project analyses and compiles data with the aim of converting them into useful knowledge and developing a self-diagnosis tool and protocols for the transport sector, including corporate social responsibility protocols and employment guidelines that promote more inclusive and efficient transport systems from a gender perspective.
To do so, DIAMOND uses technologies for compiling and analysing data in Europe such as machine learning, data mining and fair algorithms that enable specific measures to be identified and designed to meet the needs and expectations of female users and professionals in the transport sector.
According to the technical coordinator of the project and member of AITEC, Francisco Santarremigia, “the knowledge obtained from analysing the data will be included in a self-diagnosis tool that will provide recommendations regarding inclusion in diverse scenarios to obtain an equitable model in the transport systems.”
DIAMOND project uses technologies to analyse and compile data to achieve more inclusive and efficient transport systems from a gender perspective.
Specifically, “the tool will generate and disseminate recommendations for a fairer and more inclusive transport system and will identify challenges related to mobility from a gender perspective”, the coordinator of DIAMOND project, Lucía Recio, explains.
In addition to the data compiled, co-creation sessions will be held in which citizens and other interested parties will participate. The project aims to “involve the transport community, the authorities, the educational communities and the general public,” Recio adds.
Introduction of DIAMOND results in four real scenarios
The results of the DIAMOND project will be applied in the European public transport arena, autonomous vehicles, shared vehicles and in corporate social responsibility and employment, which will be used as case studies.
As far as public transport is concerned, the needs and expectations will be studied in terms of security in a station, accessibility and comfort by means of Decision Support Systems (DSSs), while in the case of autonomous vehicles, accessibility and safety will be evaluated by means of algorithms and machine learning. Regarding shared vehicles, the needs and expectations will be taken into account in the planning of services for this kind of vehicle and the location of the fleet.
The results of the project will be tested out with manufacturers and public and private transport operators in Europe.
In addition, in matters of corporate social responsibility and employment, female presence in specific positions in the transport sector and the new opportunities that are offered will be investigated.
The European transport system in terms of gender
The transport sector in Europe has 11 million jobs, of which only 22% are held by women, and it generates a gross value added of 548 million euros for the 28-member countries of the European Union.
In Europe, women employed in road and rail transport represent 14% of the workforce, 40% in air transport and 20% in river and maritime transport. Along these lines, DIAMOND promotes the increase of the presence of women in this sector, adapting the characteristics and needs of women to changes and to the opportunities of the transport market and mobility.
The project is founded within the context of the European Union Horizon 2020 programme and counts with the participation of 14 members from Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Serbia, Poland, France, Turkey and Ireland, among which there are research centres (Eurecat), universities (University of Stirling, Edinburgh Napier University, the Technological University Dublin (TUDublin), and the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering of the University of Belgrade), transport operators (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Warsaw Public Transport Authority and Autolib’ Vélib’), associations (Genre & Ville and WAVE) and private companies and consultancies (AITEC, Systematica, Hexagon Studio and RINA).
Diamond also has an advisory board constituted by the Catalan Women’s Institute, the Catalan Government, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, the International Transport Forum and the Irish Rail.
