Transactions on Transport Sciences

Transactions on Transport Sciences X:X

Socio-demographic Attributes in Demand-Responsive Transport Modelling: A Comprehensive Synthesis of the Literature on gender, age and income

Tiziana Campisi^a, Antonio Russo^a, Giovanni Tesoriere^a, Chiara Spadaro^a, Guilhermina Torrao^b

^a. Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Cittadella Universitaria 94100 Enna (EN), Italy

^b. Department of Engineering Management, Aston University, UK

Urban mobility is essential for quality of life, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, as it ensures autonomy and participation in social life. While income can influence the choice of private vehicles as a mode of transportation for regular trips, the gender gap in transport and safety issues related to public transportation should also be considered. One transportation mode that has emerged as a key solution in areas that are often underserved or characterized by territorial inequalities is Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT). DRT is an on-demand transport mode with characteristics that lie between conventional scheduled public transport and taxi services.

This study identifies and highlights the statistical correlations reported in the literature between the adoption of DRT and user demographic characteristics (gender, income, and age), in order to understand the contribution of these attributes to the uptake of such services. A total of 43 papers were reviewed, selected using targeted keyword combinations (e.g., “Demand-responsive transport” AND “gender”) to ensure the relevance of the research findings. This approach enabled an analysis of the relationships between key user demographic variables and social equity in transport. The study examines how key sociodemographic factors—such as gender, age, and income—affect DRT adoption in the existing literature, comparing results from previous regression analyses to assess their influence. The results provide a foundation for advancing research that integrates urban mobility demand analysis with demographic and socio-economic factors influencing user needs. These insights can inform strategies to improve service provision by DRT operators and enhance integration with other transport modes, supporting the development of a more cohesive and inclusive mobility system.

Keywords: Flexible mobility; socio-demographic factors; elderly people

Received: June 12, 2025; Revised: December 15, 2025; Accepted: January 22, 2026; Prepublished online: August 28, 2026