What if the future of mobility depended not only on smarter technologies, but on who gets to design them? Across Europe and beyond, intelligent transport systems are reshaping how people move, connect and access opportunities. But the transformation of mobility is not driven by algorithms alone. It is shaped by the perspectives, experiences and leadership of the people building it.
Within the ERTICO Partnership, women from across industry, research, public authorities and innovation ecosystems are helping redefine what mobility systems should look like: safer, more inclusive, and designed for the realities of everyday life.
Building on our recent article Building an Inclusive Future for Mobility, this piece brings together voices from across the Partnership to explore what inclusivity truly means - and why diverse perspectives are essential to shaping the mobility systems of tomorrow.
When “Neutral” Systems Aren’t Neutral
Mobility systems have often been designed under the assumption that infrastructure, data and policy are neutral. Yet the way people move through cities is shaped by daily routines, safety perceptions, caregiving responsibilities and accessibility needs.
Ignoring these differences leads to blind spots in research, design and policy.
As Claudia Simoni, Innovation and Business Development manager at MOST, points out, the absence of diverse perspectives can weaken the very foundations of mobility innovation.
“In my experience, mobility has too often been designed as if it were neutral. Public transport systems frequently overlook care-related travel patterns, perceived safety, accessibility and the everyday complexity of intramodality. The persistent lack of sex-disaggregated data - and safety standards historically based on male bodies - reveals a structural weakness in the evidence that informs research and policy.
A feminist leadership in mobility is necessary to address this imbalance by redistributing decision-making power and shifting from competitive, self-referential approaches to more collaborative and accountable models. A female perspective is not about representation alone; it is an analytical competence that strengthens data quality, improves modelling and leads to more effective and equitable outcomes.”
Inclusivity, in this sense, becomes a scientific and strategic advantage - improving the quality of knowledge that shapes mobility systems.
Designing Streets for Everyone
In the world of intelligent transport systems, the challenge is no longer only about efficiency or connectivity. It is about building cities that work for the diversity of people who live in them.
For Diana Willert, Chief Sustainability Officer at Yunex Traffic, inclusive thinking is central to creating mobility systems that genuinely serve communities.
“At Yunex Traffic, inclusivity means considering the diverse needs of all road users - to make communities safer, more sustainable, and more liveable for everyone. My journey as a woman in ITS taught me the value of resilience and the strength that comes from collaborative, diverse teams. Diverse voices strengthen innovation - and ensure we tackle mobility challenges holistically.”
In a sector undergoing rapid digital transformation, collaboration and diversity are increasingly recognised as drivers of innovation.
When Representation Changes the Outcome
Sometimes the consequences of missing perspectives only become visible in hindsight.
Vehicle safety standards, for example, were historically developed using crash test models based on male bodies. The result? Women faced higher risks in certain crash scenarios - an issue only identified once gender-based data was analysed.
For Stephanie Leonard, Global Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at TomTom, this example demonstrates why diversity in technical fields is not optional.
“Our transport systems need to cater for all citizens: from babies to the elderly, from non-handicapped to handicapped and both men and women. This is why those involved in transport and ITS need to represent all types of users so we can take into account and address their needs.
When I first found out from IIHS that females are more likely than males to be killed or injured in crashes of similar severity, I was absolutely shocked but relieved to know there are improvements following changes in restraint design. To build truly inclusive transport systems, you need an inclusive team to design it in the first place.”
Diversity in mobility innovation is therefore not just about fairness - it is about better outcomes for society.
The Invisible Barriers
Many women in the ITS sector describe a paradox: progress is visible, yet challenges often persist in subtle ways.
Itir Coskun, Regional Innovation Manager at SWARCO, reflects on how structural patterns shape professional environments.
“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with impressive women and colleagues who are conscious of today’s circumstances. I am fortunate to say that I have not personally faced a particular challenge due to my gender so far - or at least that is how it feels. Yet the fact that I describe myself as ‘lucky’ is itself revealing.
Many challenges exist, from the obvious to the more subtle ones that gradually become embedded in everyday life. These experiences quietly shape career paths and are often framed as personal choices. Creating a truly fair working environment requires addressing not only clearly ill-intended behaviours, but also the less visible dynamics that unintentionally create barriers.”
This perspective reminds us that progress requires not only policy changes, but also awareness and reflection within organisations.
Mobility as a Gateway to Opportunity
Mobility is not only about moving from point A to point B. It is about enabling participation in society.
Access to safe, affordable and reliable transport can open doors to education, employment and economic independence.
For Tereza Cizkova, Head of New Technologies and Innovation in Transport Unit at the Czech Ministry of Transport, inclusive mobility directly supports broader societal progress.
“Transport and mobility are evolving with new technologies, but inclusiveness remains essential. Seamless, effective and affordable transportation opens new possibilities to achieve educational and career goals and to maximise the time devoted to private life.
Women's involvement in policy and decision-making adds valuable diversity and shapes solutions. ERTICO leads by supporting women's active participation in the transport sector, fostering growth and offering ways to influence the future of mobility.”
Her perspective highlights the connection between mobility systems and broader social progress. When mobility systems become more accessible, opportunities expand.
Challenging Old Assumptions
Despite significant progress, outdated assumptions can still influence how careers and leadership opportunities evolve.
Dr Johanna Tzanidaki, Executive Director for EU Policy & Innovation Research at SAE, highlights how seemingly small biases can shape professional expectations.
“I have heard the sentence ‘she has young kids at home so she would not be able to travel to the job-related meetings’ more times than I would like to admit. Inclusivity means ensuring that everyone - regardless of gender, orientation, background or abilities - is welcomed in mobility services, whether as users or as professionals shaping the sector.”
Addressing these assumptions is key to building a sector where expertise, rather than stereotypes, defines opportunity. Changing the narrative requires conscious effort across organisations, institutions and leadership structures.
The Power of Partnership
The transformation of mobility requires collaboration across industries, institutions and disciplines.
The ERTICO Partnership provides a unique platform where public authorities, industry leaders, researchers and mobility innovators work together to accelerate the development and deployment of intelligent transport systems.
Within this ecosystem, women are not only participating - they are shaping strategic directions, driving research, influencing policy and leading innovation across Europe.
Their voices bring perspectives that strengthen decision-making, expand innovation and ensure mobility solutions reflect the complexity of real life.
The Future of Mobility Will Be Inclusive - Or It Will Fail
Mobility systems shape how societies function.
They determine who can access education, who can reach jobs, who can move safely through cities, and who participates in economic and social life.
Designing these systems without diverse perspectives does not simply limit representation - it limits innovation itself.
The women of the ERTICO Partnership remind us of something essential: the future of mobility will not be defined only by technology.
It will be defined by who is at the table when the future is designed.
And when more voices are heard, mobility becomes smarter, safer - and truly built for everyone.
See all of ERTICO's Partners here and learn more about how to join the Partnership.