On 8 March, ERTICO-ITS Europe proudly celebrates women in ITS and reaffirms its commitment to a more inclusive mobility sector for both professionals and users. Under this year’s theme ‘Accelerating Action’, we shine a spotlight on our colleagues, partners and initiatives that drive meaningful change to foster inclusion in transport.
With the recognition that gender equality is an essential part of making the transport and mobility sector accessible and inclusive at all levels, ERTICO is proactively addressing the issue in its organisational pillars. Our innovation and deployment activities include coordinating and participating in initiatives with a focus on accessibility and inclusion; and the ITS Congresses give great weight to gender balanced and diverse representation in the programme.
Building an inclusive mobility ecosystem
Societal factors and user centricity are a big focus of the technology-driven EU-funded projects, innovation platforms and initiatives that ERTICO is working on. By understanding the diverse needs of different user groups, including women from different backgrounds, we aim to develop a transport network that is accessible and safe for everyone.
InclusiveSpaces, SINFONICA, CulturalRoad, ePowerMove and IN2CCAM are some of the projects that deal with the specific mobility needs of vulnerable groups, including women. InclusiveSpaces is integrating co-designed accessibility solutions to create urban environments that are welcoming to all. By adhering to the European Commission’s Gendered Innovation framework, the project monitors diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through regular training and assessments. Beyond urban design, InclusiveSpaces addresses pressing challenges like climate change and accessibility, aligning its efforts with the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 to eliminate barriers and ensure that infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, serves everyone effectively.
SINFONICA focuses on tools and methodologies that enhance the inclusivity of connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions. Guided by the principle of “Leaving no one behind,” the project integrates the perspectives of diverse user groups, including women, into the development of long-term, citizen-oriented planning and inclusive mobility recommendations.
CulturalRoad takes a unique approach by examining how cultural and geographical diversity impacts CCAM deployment. By incorporating gender-related considerations into its participatory framework, the project ensures that a wide range of voices – especially those from underrepresented or vulnerable groups — inform the development of equitable CCAM services.
ePowerMove exemplifies how technology can be designed with inclusivity in mind. This project ensures that EV charging solutions are accessible to all users, embedding gender perspectives and diverse needs into every phase of development. This guarantees that e-mobility solutions remain equitable and responsive to the challenges faced by different user groups.
Lastly, IN2CCAM accelerates the integration of CCAM services into traffic management, making mobility safer, more sustainable, and inclusive. An example of this is the Route Planner initiative in the city of Bari, which uses simulations to improve acceptance of CCAM technologies. This tool addresses user concerns by incorporating inclusive features, such as gender-specific navigation options, to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Working and partnering with inspiring women
An important part of driving gender balance in the ITS industry is women sharing their experiences to address their challenges and to inspire others through their successes. Here, some of colleagues and esteemed partners share their views emphasising the need to challenge stereotypes, support women at all career stages, and reflect on how we can improve systems and attitudes to ensure progress for everyone.
Iuliia Skorykova, ERTICO Innovation and Deployment Operations Manager: “Looking back, traditional gender roles often dictated that boys played with cars while girls were given dolls. Fortunately, we have entered a new era that encourages individuals to pursue their interests and develop their talents beyond outdated stereotypes. We are witnessing a growing number of exceptional female leaders and highly skilled experts making their mark. To further improve gender balance in ITS, we must challenge traditional norms by raising awareness of the vast opportunities available in the sector. Representation matters. Learning from past and present female leaders and experts in the industry fosters confidence and reduces uncertainty.”
Rebeca Joaquín Graña, Auto Data Partnerships Lead at Google Maps: “A key challenge is the limited number of women in ITS, reflecting broader gender imbalances in technical fields. This lack of representation can lead to overlooked perspectives in system design and a feeling of isolation. We must encourage early interest in technical fields among girls through engaging activities and with visible role models and, then, create environments where women have equal access to promotions, leadership roles, and their contributions are recognised fairly”.
Itir Coskun, Regional Innovation Manager at SWARCO: “To create a truly fair working environment, we must address all aspects, from the obviously ill-intended ones, which are usually the primary focus-, to less obvious and well-intended ones, – which often cause more harm than we assume. In my opinion, every truly meaningful action starts with self-education”.
Annie Kortsari, Research Associate at HIT-CERTH: The main challenge for women in the ITS sector, and any sector, is proving their worth and being trusted by colleagues that they can perform exceptionally and achieve excellence. Balancing personal life, with a focus on motherhood, and professional life is also a challenge and often an obstacle towards equal treatment. To shade a tone of optimism based on my experience in the research sector, it is safe to say that much progress has been achieved during the last years. The main tool to achieving equality is education. We need to make sure that children are taught from a young age that all people are equal. Familiarising girls from an early age with science and providing incentives for them to thrive, is the safest way to ensure that equality is achieved and no great minds are lost in the way.
Championing gender diversity at the ITS Congress
As part of our commitment to inclusion, the ITS Congresses, powered by ERTICO, follow a gender-balanced approach in shaping session panels and discussions. By ensuring diverse representation, we create a platform where leading voices, regardless of gender, contribute to shaping the future of mobility.
To further this commitment, ERTICO is proud to host “Moving Beyond Manels: Addressing Gender Inequality in the ITS Industry” on 11 March, from 18:30 to 20:30. This event features a panel discussion and a networking reception, bringing together female professionals from across the ITS and transport sectors. The aim is to spark essential conversations about the challenges women face in the industry, including the prevalence of “Manels” (all-male panels) and the lack of female visibility at ITS Congresses.
The panel will be followed by a networking reception, offering participants the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates committed to gender equality in ITS. Join us at the Nine to cultivate inclusion and representation in the mobility industry.