Abstract Manager

Transportation is a key enabler of economic, health and social wellbeing and many people experience significant barriers to accessing the opportunities needed to thrive due to systemic inequities in the transportation system.  The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)’s Transportation Equity Framework is a multi-year ministry-wide initiative intended to provide the organization with the understanding and tools needed to identify and address the equity-impacts of transportation related policies, programs, and investments.

MTO’s Transportation Equity Framework was originally brought to TAC in 2023 to inform framework development and initial priorities. Now two years into implementation, Framework actions have enabled new equity analysis tools and is having a profound impact on how the ministry considers transportation equity in its work.    MTO will speak to insights, successes, and challenges in its efforts embed equity into ministry decision-making through capacity building and culture change.

The presentation will:

• Demonstrate how findings from internal research on organizational decision-making processes have influenced Framework priorities;

• Explore insights gained through community engagement and transportation system user research how these findings informed new empathy building tools (e.g., mindsets, personas); and

• Speak resources and tools support more informed equity-analysis (e.g. mapping) and evaluation within the ministry.

This presentation will contribute to the ongoing dialogue on equity in transportation and offers actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners striving for more equitable mobility solutions.