Gender differences in senior active travel: Nonlinear insights from India’s urban environment

Abstract

This study explores the complex, non-linear relationships between built environment factors and active travel behavior among older adults in India, with a focus on gender differences. Using household travel diary data from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and employing Gradient Boosting Decision Trees, we investigate how urban form, public transport accessibility, and land use diversity influence active commuting patterns for older men and women. Our findings reveal distinct gender-specific patterns. For older men, built environment factors like land use diversity and intersection density predominantly determine active travel. In contrast, older women’s active travel is more influenced by socio-demographic factors such as job status and age. We identify optimal ranges for various built environment characteristics that differ between genders, challenging linear assumptions in previous research.

This research addresses a critical gap in understanding active ageing in rapidly urbanizing developing countries, where such gender-specific, non-linear analyses have been scarce. By uncovering these nuanced relationships, we contribute to the literature on age-friendly cities and provide insights that can inform urban planning and transportation policies in India and other developing countries.

While acknowledging limitations such as the cross-sectional nature of the study and its focus on specific urban areas in India, this research represents a significant step towards creating more inclusive, age-friendly cities that cater to the diverse needs of older populations in urbanizing societies. Future research directions include longitudinal studies and investigations into cultural and social factors influencing active travel among older adults in developing countries.