Women in the Railway Sector – A Bibliometric Analysis of the Last Ten Years’ Scientific Production

Gender equality has become a priority for governments, institutions and companies that are fostering inclusive environments. In this context, the historically male-dominated railway sector has begun a process of transformation. However, women continue to encounter persistent barriers to working, accessing and utilising rail transport. These challenges are closely linked to the complexity of travel chains, safety concerns, and mobility constraints that are shaped by prevailing social and gender structures. Considering this, the study employs a quantitative bibliometric analysis of scientific production on women in the railway sector (2015–2024), using data from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus, to map the status, identify research gaps, and inform future studies and policies. The analysis reveals a growth in research on women in the railway sector over the past decade, though the field remains in consolidation. Output is diverse and multidisciplinary but often fragmented, underscoring the need for stronger international collaboration. Impact is concentrated in a few publications, highlighting the importance of more effective dissemination strategies. While quantitative approaches predominate, greater use of qualitative and mixed methods is needed to capture women’s experiences. Future research should enhance collaboration, diversify methodologies, and strengthen dissemination to achieve greater influence on policies and practices.