How UB’s IDEA Center Helped Pittsburgh Build an Airport for Everyone

It all started more than six years ago when the Allegheny County Airport Authority set out to define its priorities for the new terminal. They assembled an accessibility working group to advise on the incorporation of features that would make the airport usable to all.  Early on, this group prioritized a commitment to universal design, which addresses barriers faced by populations who are typically overlooked during the design process and goes well beyond the minimum ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. 

Members of the working group included Edward Steinfeld, director emeritus of the IDEA Center, and his son Aaron Steinfeld, a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University and head of their Transportation, Bots & Disability Lab. The Steinfelds introduced the idea of pursuing isUD™ Certification. Developed by the IDEA Center, isUD™ standards enable the creation of spaces that eliminate barriers for all, transform the way buildings and communities are designed and maintained, and elevate the user experience by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation.

Levine joined the team in February 2020 as the universal design liaison and isUD™ project manager. In that role, she worked closely with the airport authority to review drawings provided by the design team—Gensler + HDR in association with Luis Vidal + Architects— returning them with identified opportunities for design improvements and innovation. “On a project of this magnitude, collaboration is key because we all have our own unique perspectives, expertise and knowledge, which I believe leads to more creative solutions and strengthens projects,” Levine shared. “Ultimately, it’s the end users who benefit the most.”  

As the project progressed and the drawings became more detailed, that collaboration became increasingly important, since many of universal design features don’t get included in architectural drawings. Restrooms, for example, met dimensional requirements on paper, but the drawings didn’t reveal the minute details, such as stall partitions would be installed floor‑to‑ceiling or if occupancy indicator signs were included—details essential to user experience.

Levine also trained the project teams to use the isUD™ checklist, which includes requirements and recommendations across nine categories: design process; space clearances; circulation; environmental quality; site; rooms and spaces; furnishings and equipment; services; and policies.

Universal design features incorporated throughout the terminal include intuitive wayfinding, high-visibility information displays, accessible-height ticketing counters, lighting and flooring that aid visibility and heighten safety, restrooms with adult changing tables, dedicated nursing rooms, and additional rest areas and quiet rooms.

PIT also prioritized intuitive design and the reduction of stressors and stimuli—two design approaches that complement, and overlap with, universal design that significantly improve the overall airport experience. Levine underscored the importance of intuitive design: “As travelers move through the airport, they will inevitably encounter areas of decision-making within the terminal on the way to their destination. When they encounter a fork in the road what does their intuition tell them? I think one of the strengths of the airport design is the intuitive wayfinding and signage system that helps guide movement from terminal arrival to boarding gates. That system includes both high-contrast static signage and digital displays that provide real-time information.” 

All of these principles guide the traveler experience from the moment they arrive. Inside the parking garage, signage at the end of each row shows how many spaces are available and identifies EV charging stations. Two indoor navigation apps are available, a visual tool called Atrius and an audio tool called NavCog, that provides turn-by-turn navigation to help travelers with vision impairments, people who use mobility devices, and general pedestrians find resources throughout the airport. Just past the security area, electronic signs display walking times to each gate. And outdoor terraces both outside and inside the security area give travelers access to gardens, fresh air, and sunlight.

PIT’s commitment extends to sensory-friendly spaces as well. Presley’s Place contains four rooms designed for those with sensory sensitivities—providing quiet and peaceful spaces with adjustable lighting and comfortable seating. One room is designed to mimic the inside of the airplane, equipped with real seats and intercom announcements to help children, people with disabilities, first-time flyers, and anxious travelers familiarize themselves with the experience of being in the air. 

On February 11, the airport will celebrate the opening of a kids’ play area, an inclusive space designed to help little ones expend some energy before a flight. It includes a “custom runway” for running and jumping, an interactive scavenger hunt to spark curiosity and exploration, movement chairs designed to promote play through balance and coordination, and interactive art installations. Nearby, parents can find a private nursing room, family restroom, washup station, and dedicated eating area.

Last December, Levine conducted a final two‑day, in‑person evaluation using the isUD™ checklist and left impressed. “The airport is absolutely amazing. Besides the signage and wayfinding, the airport provides many amenities to improve the overall travel experience. That includes all-gender restrooms with adult-sized changing tables, an animal relief area, and PIT PAWS (Pups Alleviating Worry and Stress) a dog therapy program that allows passengers to interact with friendly, trained, and certified therapy dogs to help relieve stress,” she observed.

PIT also earned numerous isUD™ innovation credits for design features not included on the checklist, including an interfaith reflection room, sensory bags for travelers with autism, and free on-demand translation services across 24 languages—from Somali and Vietnamese to Haitian Creole, Punjabi, and American Sign Language. Travelers can also request sunflower lanyards, bracelets, and pins to signal a hidden disability—such as autism, epilepsy, or hearing loss—and receive additional support from staff.

Jordana Maisel, director of the IDEA Center, emphasized the value this certification brings to the airport: “Earning isUD™ Certification positions the Pittsburgh International Airport as a global leader in inclusive design, and we’re proud that the IDEA Center supported the project team in reaching this milestone. As the first transportation facility to achieve this certification, the airport sets a new standard for embedding inclusion into decision-making, operations, and the passenger experience. This work reflects the IDEA Center's mission to move inclusive design from theory into real-world impact and to create environments that work for people of all ages, abilities, and life experiences.”

For other airports considering a similar approach, Levine offers this perspective: “Airports are an ideal project to highlight the benefits of universal design because airports serve people of all abilities. It also provides a branding opportunity for them—engaging in socially responsible activities and reducing liability in the operation of buildings by making environments more accessible, healthier, and safer.”

And while most travelers may not consciously recognize the universal design features, Levine says they will certainly feel the difference. “Most travelers don’t even realize how inclusive the airport is. But they do know that it’s easier to navigate and get to where they need to be without much effort. It surely makes traveling a whole lot less stressful.”