Steve Longman, City of Harlow

Meet Steve Longman – Nominated by the Motability Foundation

Improving access to transport for disabled people

Based in the UK, Steve Longman joined the Motability Foundation in March 2026, where he works as Transport Solutions Manager for Autonomous Vehicles (AVs).

The Motability Foundation focuses on improving access to transport for disabled people, helping create more inclusive and accessible transport systems.

In his role, Steve leads strategy and program development exploring how emerging transport innovations, particularly AVs can be accessible, inclusive and safe. He works across research, stakeholder engagement and funding programs, collaborating with government, industry and academia to influence how future transport systems are designed. 

Ensuring future transport does not leave disabled people behind

Steve’s team focuses on ensuring that the transition to future transport, especially zero-emission and automated transport does not leave disabled people behind.

This includes shaping inclusive design standards, supporting innovation through grant funding and influencing policy so that accessibility is embedded from the outset across both privately owned and shared transport systems.

His work directly supports these priorities by ensuring accessibility is considered early in the development of autonomous and emerging transport systems. He brings together evidence, stakeholder insight and strategic partnerships to help influence technology development, regulatory frameworks and service models so they work for people with different needs from day one. 

Shifting the conversation around accessibility

Steve is currently leading a Strategic Landscape Assessment on Autonomous Vehicles. This project maps the evolving AV ecosystem across policy, technology and deployment models to identify risks and opportunities for disabled people.

He is particularly proud of how this work is helping shift the conversation from accessibility as an ‘add-on’ to something that must be integral to system design.

Creating a transport system that is inclusive by design

For Steve, a major challenge is ensuring that rapid innovation in transport such as electrification and automation does not unintentionally create new barriers.

He believes there is a real risk that people with accessibility needs are excluded if inclusion is not prioritised early, particularly in shared and digitally enabled transport services.

Looking ahead, Steve would like to see a transport system that is genuinely inclusive by design. This means accessible autonomous vehicles, seamless integration across transport modes and services that work for people regardless of individual needs.

He would like accessibility to be seen as a driver of better, more user-centred innovation for everyone. 

Why the Emerging Leaders program?

Steve heard about the Emerging Leaders program through his connection with RMIT as an alumnus. He has stayed engaged with the university’s alumni network and transport-focused conversations.

The program stood out as a natural fit given his ongoing interest in urban innovation and leadership. He was particularly drawn to its focus on cross-city collaboration, innovation and leadership in shaping sustainable urban transport.

The opportunity to learn alongside peers working on similar challenges across Europe is especially valuable particularly given the systemic nature of the issues being addressed. 

Strengthening leadership to shape future transport systems

Through the program, Steve is looking to strengthen his leadership capability in driving system-level change – particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

He is also keen to deepen his understanding of how cities are implementing innovative transport solutions in practice and how accessibility can be embedded within those.

The program aligns strongly with his goal of influencing how future transport systems are designed and delivered. By building his leadership skills and expanding his network, he will be better positioned to shape policy, partnerships and innovation in a way that ensures disabled people are not overlooked in the transition to new transport models.