An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a sensor device that detects a location of a structure outside a vehicle, a running board moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure detected by the sensor. An exemplary running board deploying method includes, among other things, detecting a location of a structure outside a vehicle, and transitioning a running board from a stowed position to a deployed position. The deployed position is adjusted relative to the vehicle based on the location of the structure.