Turning regulatory compliance from a box ticking exercise to an opportunity for achieving equity

Across the world, government transportation programs and projects increasingly take place within the framework of legislation aimed at improving equity. However, ensuring that these initiatives create a positive impact while making regulatory compliance more than a box-ticking exercise remains a challenge.

In the UK, Steer has supported public sector clients in complying with the Equality Act 2010, a landmark piece of legislation designed to address inequality across the nation. Working primarily with local authorities, many projects have focused on ensuring that the needs of all users are meaningfully considered when designing safer and more accessible urban streets.

For example, London’s historic streets may have charm and character, but they do not always provide a safe and accessible environment for individuals with disabilities, families, or those travelling with luggage. Given the limited space in built-up areas, it has been crucial to collaborate closely with clients and stakeholders to develop practical and inclusive design solutions.

Steer’s role has often involved assessing an area's specific context and demographic profile, engaging meaningfully with communities, and ensuring that all voices—not just the loudest—are heard. What may have initially been viewed as a compliance-driven exercise has ultimately led to better streets for all users.

On the other side of the Atlantic, in North America, equity legislation takes a different shape. Unlike the UK’s more centralised government structure, the US and Canada have diverse legislative approaches, where federal laws intersect with state or provincial regulations.

Recent efforts to improve equity in the US have focused on addressing the country’s complex history of race relations, while in Canada, emphasis has been placed on reconciliation with Indigenous groups. In both nations, contemporary transportation policies aim to close historical inequities through a mixed-method approach, moving beyond solely quantitative analysis to incorporate the voices and lived experiences of those directly affected by policies.

For instance, in Canada, Steer has helped clients understand how transportation costs vary for households across major metropolitan areas, providing insights into how the availability of non-car transport options affects affordability. Meanwhile, in the US, a more in-depth approach to data analysis is often taken—looking beyond the average user to identify nuanced travel patterns. By combining quantitative analysis with meaningful community engagement, Steer has been able to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of different groups, such as shift workers or those with caregiving responsibilities who travel outside standard peak hours.

Although Steer has a well-established international Equity & Inclusion (E&I) team, every project presents an opportunity to learn and improve. Equity is not considered in isolation; rather, transportation solutions are developed using both quantitative and qualitative insights to create feasible, informed outcomes.

The approach to E&I has evolved significantly since the early work on Equality Act-related projects in the UK. Governments and communities increasingly recognise that embedding equity into transportation programs and projects from the outset leads to better results. While some once saw compliance with equity-related regulations as a burden, integrating equity into decision-making creates opportunities to deliver more effective and inclusive transportation solutions.

The ongoing advancements in this field point to an encouraging future. By continuing to adapt and refine approaches, Steer remains committed to playing a role in shaping more equitable transportation systems worldwide.