History shows women in the transportation industry are significantly underrepresented. However, over the last few decades, the number of women leading careers in this industry has slowly increased as women embraced vital careers as engineers, planners, bus operators, fiscal analysts, and more. A report by Forbes shows women in transportation make up 24% of the transportation industry workforce in the US and 20% globally. Small growth percentages of women working as technicians increased from 3% to over 7% from 2022 to 2023, and executive leadership at transportation companies increased to 39.6% in 2022 from 33.8% in 2019. The numbers show that there is still room for the number of women working in transportation to grow. However, in our department, we have 35.2% women. We are proud to show how women’s innovation, representation, and inclusion drive the future through their careers in transportation stories as we celebrate Women’s History Month.
Meet Lauren Grove, the City’s Vision Zero Coordinator. Lauren earned her neuroscience and urban planning degrees from the University of Michigan. With eight years of experience in the transportation industry and just over a year with the City, Lauren’s professional networks include being a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners. In her role at the City, she works with multiple departments, partner agencies, and community members to create the City’s first Vision Zero Action Plan. Vision Zero is a commitment to ending traffic deaths and serious road injuries. Lauren believes successful Vision Zero programs require collaboration from diverse audiences and agencies, so she enjoys bringing people together to discuss how we can create safer streets that last. Key factors of her job also include crash data analysis, and she works to identify the causes and consequences of traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Meet Lindsay Smart, the City’s Mobility Services Planner. Lindsay holds a Master of Public Administration degree and is a certified planner with the Planning Association, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She began working as a transportation planner in 2008 and joined the City of Durham in 2014. Her role in transportation is to manage the Microtransit Program, Central Durham Bus Rapid Transit Small Start Grant Application project, and Durham Food Access for Seniors Shuttle program. Lindsay also serves as a Technical Committee member for the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization, supporting other special projects and programs within the City’s mobility services division. With almost 20 years of career experience, she applies a comprehensive approach to implementing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our projects and programs. Lindsay is passionate about using her role with the City to enhance mobility options, improve transit access, and support fair transportation services for residents.
Advice for Women pursuing careers in Transportation:
No matter the role you seek in this industry, your job will help connect people to the places they need to thrive. There are many career paths that you can take that will prepare you for success in this industry. Seek every opportunity so you can grow into the roles that suit your skills. The possibilities are endless whether you aspire to be an engineer, planner, program manager, fiscal analyst, or bus operator. There are numerous ways for women to lead and succeed in the transportation industry. Be prepared to learn, eager to share your ideas, and always remember the value of your impact.
Education Information:
While preparing for your education, you could pursue a four-year degree in STEM, psychology, behavioral science or other related fields. Advanced degrees in Urban Planning are also beneficial to those seeking careers in transportation. Internships at transportation agencies such as NCDOT, the Department of Transportation or transit planning firms in your area. If you are located in North Carolina and are a high school junior or senior, the Garrett A. Morgan Page Program offers first-hand experience as a transportation professional. Applications close on March 7.
Our department is a testament to women leading careers in transportation. From engineers to planners to drivers to fiscal analysts to operations specialists, we are proud to show women as successful contributors to keeping our City moving safely and sustainably. We are pleased to use our representation of women working in transportation as inspiration for the future female leaders of this industry. Celebrate Women’s History Month by sharing this article with future female transportation leaders, innovators, and employees.