Pittsburgh International Airport

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Exterior view of Pittsburgh International Airport at dusk, showing the illuminated terminal with a sweeping roof canopy, glass façade, elevated roadways, parking areas, and vehicle drop-off lanes.
Photo by Ema Peter

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Pittsburgh International Airport Becomes First Airport to Earn isUD™ Universal Design Certification

Allegheny County Airport Authority | Pittsburgh, PA | 2026 | Architect: Gensler

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has become the first airport in the nation to receive the isUD™ Universal Design Certificate from the IDEA Center at the University at Buffalo. The certification recognizes the airport’s comprehensive integration of Universal Design (UD) solutions into its planning, architecture, and passenger experience strategy. Rather than approaching accessibility as regulatory compliance, the airport embedded universal design as a performance-driven framework guiding decision-making across the project lifecycle.

Project Goals

The primary goal of this initiative was to embed Universal Design as a measurable performance framework within the airport’s planning and development process. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, the project aimed to enhance usability, safety, comfort, and intuitive navigation for the broadest possible range of travelers.

IDEA Center's Contribution

The certification reflects a close collaboration between the IDEA Center, the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), and the project’s architectural and planning partners (Gensler). Through the isUD™ certification process, a wide range of UD features were systematically implemented to enhance usability for people of all ages and abilities.

Features include:

  • Intuitive Wayfinding: Clear sightlines, legible signage, logical circulation paths, and consistent spatial cues reduce cognitive load and improve traveler confidence.
  • Multisensory Considerations: Thoughtful lighting, acoustics, and spatial organization support travelers with diverse sensory processing needs, including neurodivergent individuals
  • Comfort & Body Fit: Varied seating options, generous circulation widths, and accessible amenities accommodate a broad range of body types and mobility devices.
  • Integrated Inclusivity: Inclusive features are seamlessly embedded within the overall design language, reinforcing dignity and eliminating segregation.
Staircases at the Pittsburgh International Airport also have adjacent elevator and escalator options. Photo: Danise Levine

Community Impact

As a major regional gateway, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) sets a new benchmark for inclusive aviation environments. Its certification signals leadership in:
  • Evidence-based application of Universal Design
  • Institutional commitment to equity and usability
  • Scalable models for transportation hubs nationwide

By aligning design decisions with research-backed UD solutions, the airport enhances passenger experience, operational efficiency, and long-term resilience.

This milestone also demonstrates how collaboration between research institutions and industry leaders can translate Universal Design into measurable, real-world outcomes.

Pittsburgh International Airport's strong commitment to universal design improves the travel experience for all. Photo: Ema Peter
Passengers can visit information booths to learn more about Presley's Place and the Sunflower Program and to request sensory bags. Photo: Danise Levine
Accessible restroom with adult changing table, grab bars, and accessible toilet fixtures.
Accessible restroom featuring an adult changing table and support fixtures designed to accommodate a wide range of users.. Photo: Danise Levine
Large yellow “All Gates” airport wayfinding sign with airline listings inside a modern terminal.
Pittsburgh International Airport integrated a clear wayfinding system that directs travelers toward all departure gates in the terminal. Photo by Danise Levine

Let us help you design for everyone.

Founded in 1984, the IDEA Center is a world-renowned leader in inclusive design, offering expert solutions that prioritize accessibility, safety, and well-being. Backed by extensive research and hands-on design experience, our multi-disciplinary team collaborates with owners, developers, architects, exhibit designers, and project teams to create environments that are not only inclusive but also innovative.

If you would like to learn more about how you can incorporate universal design into your projects, please reach out to us!

Telephone: +1.716.829.5903
E-mail: ap-idea@buffalo.edu