Pedestrian Wayfinding System

About the Wayfinding Project

Launched in 2014 with the support of philanthropic, governmental, non-profit, and corporate entities, the Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding Project seeks to establish a world-class wayfinding system that will enhance navigation, improve accessibility, and increase connectivity between the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Downtown, Oakland, and North Side.

129 signs (31 kiosks and 98 directional signs) will be installed in Downtown, Oakland, and North Side this year as part of a collaborative public-private initiative to make Pittsburgh more navigable, connected and pedestrian-friendly.

As the first pedestrian wayfinding system of its kind in the city, this project represents a significant step forward in making Pittsburgh streets easier to navigate and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike. Covering 98 destinations, the system will help people navigate, explore and enjoy places of business, learning, healing and entertainment in and around the Oakland, Downtown and North Shore neighborhoods, which constitute the highest concentrations of these activities in Western Pennsylvania. This system is scalable and designed with flexibility to expand city-wide.

Stakeholders and Partners

The following partners provided project leadership and support:

PennDOT / Commonwealth of PA
City of Pittsburgh
Southwestern PA Commission
North Side Chamber of Commerce
Oakland Transportation Management Association
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Wayfinding Advisory Committee (WAC)
Philanthropic & Private Funders

• Benter Foundation
• Buhl Foundation
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
• David L. Lawrence Convention Center
• Duquesne University
• Heinz History Center
• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
• Point Park University
• RK Mellon Foundation
• Visit Pittsburgh

Project Timeline

• Fall 2014: Launched the Wayfinding Advisory Committee (WAC) represented by the City of Pittsburgh, community organizations, and large private institutions to guide decision-making related to initial wayfinding system concepts, as well as project vision and objectives.
• Winter 2014: Conducted a sign audit and comprehensive destination categorization.
• Summer 2015: Established system hierarchy including identification of primary and secondary pedestrian corridors, created a governance system for sign placement, and crafted information inventory and nomenclature.
• Winter 2015: Drafted a list of tier 1, 2, and 3 destinations, composed the Wayfinding Strategy Document, and produced a sign location plan.
• Spring 2016: Fundraised $700k from philanthropies, institutions, and partner organizations to fund preliminary design and community engagement.
• Summer 2016: Gave initial City of Pittsburgh Art Commission presentation.
• Fall 2016: Contracted with ARUP for preliminary design
• Summer 2017: Awarded SPC/TAP funding of $1 million for fabrication and installation.
• Fall 2017: Conducted a field test using full-scale kiosk mock-ups. Gave a second presentation to the Art Commission.
• Summer 2018: Arup completed final design intent package, approved by Art Commission.
• Fall 2020: Selected WSP for the creation of PS&E documents needed for construction and installation bid administered by PennDOT.
• Spring 2021: Fabrication and installation are fully funded by TIP ($1.4 million).
• Spring 2022: Scope of the wayfinding project scope is altered.
• Summer 2022: Final location proposal is approved by the Art Commission.
• Spring 2023: WSP completed the final PS&E after numerous field site visits and submits documentation to PennDOT for bid.
• Summer 2023: PennDOT let bid for Wayfinding project construction.
• Fall 2023: PennDOT selected Power Contracting Co. (PCC) for fabrication and construction.
• Spring 2024: PennDOT finalizes contract with PCC.
• Summer 2024: PCC submits several RFIs to Arup and WSP requesting clarification on design and engineering documents, which were responded to effectively.
• Fall 2024: PCC’s sign fabrication subcontractor completes a kiosk prototype for the City’s review. Upon inspection, small adjustments to the design files were required due to inadequate legibility of certain text and pictographs.
• Winter 2024: Arup completed minor adjustments to designs. PCC’s fabricator printed an updated prototype for review, which was approved.
• Winter 2025: The City directed PCC to proceed with kiosk and sign fabrication.
• February 2025: PCC completes kiosk and sign fabrication and sets a date for kiosk prototype installation in Downtown at the intersection of Stanwix St. and Liberty Ave. in front of the new Huntington Bank.
• March 2025: PCC installs kiosk prototype in early March. The unveiling event occurs March 11th. PDP and other community partners execute maintenance agreements with the City of Pittsburgh.
• April – July 2025: PCC installs remainder of kiosks and signage as availability and weather allows. They will conduct the work in phases, beginning with Oakland, proceeded by the North Side, proceeded by Downtown.

Installation Progress Map

Related News

New pedestrian wayfinding system unveiled in Pittsburgh (KDKA)

Gainey, Innamorato unveil first of 100+ navigational markers in Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Where’s The Kaufmann’s Clock? New Pittsburgh Wayfinding Signs Will Tell You (Pittsburgh Magazine)

New Downtown directional kiosks: ‘There’s nothing like good signage’ (Union Progress)