insightOut. Journal on Gender & Sexuality in STEM Collections and Cultures / 2 (2024) Diverse Infrastructures?... [59

DOI 10.60531/INSIGHTOUT.2024.2.8| LAI: SMART CITY TRANSITION_ INSIGHTOUT 2(2024) 58 Fig. 13: Code frequency in relation to interviewees Conclusion This paper reveals various gendered differences in behaviours, experiences and attitudes related to SBMS in Hong Kong. Notably, females tend to utilise route-planning services less frequently than males, possibly due to their tendency to travel to familiar destinations. Moreover, females show more uncertainty regarding the potential benefits of SBMS in terms of reducing travel time and traffic congestion, disagreeing with the suggestion from IMD. 19 While route-planning apps are always deemed a single platform enabling MaaS and providing traffic information, 9 females prioritise accessible information less than males as a significant consideration when choosing transportation modes. These findings suggest females perceive less need for such apps. Regarding the accessibility of SBMS, the study reveals that males encounter more problems related to the limited availability of services and poor customer service, potentially due to their higher usage of shared mobility services. By contrast, females have lower disposable income for travel expenses, which may hinder their adoption of SBMS, especially those requiring monthly subscriptions. Despite the low usage cost of public transport in Hong Kong, 15 it seems that some individuals still find the services unaffordable and opt to save expenses by compromising on time or safety. This paper also uncovers significant gendered differences in attitudes towards smart mobility. While females express more scepticism regarding the assistance provided by SBMS to individuals with transportation difficulties and the environmental benefits, males exhibit greater caution regarding privacy concerns and the overall impact of smartphones on their lives, which contradicts the argument that females have higher privacy concerns. 30 Overall, these findings highlight the need for policymakers and service providers to consider gendered differences when designing and implementing SBMS. Addressing accessibility barriers and tailoring services to meet gender-specific needs are crucial to enhance the inclusivity of smart mobility. Furthermore, fostering a more balanced narrative acknowledging both the benefits and concerns of smart mobility is essential for shifting attitudes and earning trust from citizens, especially considering the reported low levels of public trust in the HKGOV. 29 Apart from the mobility-related findings, the selection of only male or female gender options suggests that gender diversity in Hong Kong may not be fully recognised, or that it may still be suppressed due to external factors, which is equally concerning.