Your Voice in Action: The Goal of an SPC Public Meeting

By Mason Fish
SPC
12/12/2025

If you have never been to one of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s (SPC) public meetings, you might picture a long slideshow in a quiet room with a drawn-out lecture. However, what you will actually find is something very different.



When you walk through the door, you will usually see neighbors chatting near a table of maps, local officials asking questions about roads they drive every day, or residents comparing notes about trails, transit, traffic, or the project they have been hoping to see move forward for years.

Many attendees are curious about what is happening in their area. Others want to understand why transportation projects take time, or how decisions are made, or what big changes might be on the horizon. And almost everyone wants to know how they can help shape what comes next.

At the heart of it all? Public meetings exist to give you, the people who live, work, and travel here, a direct say in massive decisions that affect daily life. Think about it: roads don’t fix themselves, buses don’t reroute on a whim, and bridges don’t build without input.

These meetings are mandated by federal law for organizations like us to ensure transparency and community involvement in transportation planning. Without them, decisions might overlook the pothole on your street or the need for better transit in your neighborhood. Instead, they turn your ideas into priorities, helping to allocate funding toward projects that make Southwestern PA safer, smoother, and more connected.

And guess what? We just wrapped up the latest round of public meetings and comment periods for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) earlier this month.

A Meeting Built Around You

Why does SPC hold these meetings year after year? The answer is quite simple. Transportation isn’t just about asphalt and engines… it’s about people. SPC’s events are designed to unriddle this process, turning complex plans like the TIP, Long Range Transportation Plan, and Public Participation Plan into digestible chats. As our region’s federally designated hub for planning, we team up with local, state, and federal officials to turn ideas into reality.

All of our public meetings are interactive hubs where you can explore maps, ask any question you might have (like “Why does this take so long?”), or share anything else on your mind. Public input ensures that underrepresented voices, from rural areas to urban hubs, influence where dollars go. Plus, it’s fun to see your neighbor’s eyes light up when they spot a proposed trail that could connect their backyard to the park!

Did You Know?

First-time attendees are often surprised by how approachable and effective these meetings can be.

Here’s what you should know:

  • Participation has steadily been on the uptick since the virtual-only sessions during COVID, showing that community engagement is valued both online and in person.
  • Every comment matters. All feedback submitted via handwritten notes or email is reviewed and compiled into official reports that are shared with PennDOT and other agencies.
  • If you cannot attend a meeting, materials remain available online throughout the year, allowing for review, learning, and feedback submission at any time.
  • These meetings are not isolated events. They are part of a larger framework where public input helps meet federal requirements for air quality, safety, and other priorities, turning local concerns into regional improvements.

Inside the Meeting Room

Meetings begin with a brief introduction to SPC’s role, followed by updates and overviews of key initiatives. Attendees learn about the plan being discussed, including proposed investments and timelines. Recent project completions, such as new bridges, are highlighted alongside funding sources and upcoming milestones. Meetings also provide previews of important projects, from congestion mitigation to trail expansions.

The public comments & questions period is particularly important. Safety concerns such as lighting and guardrails are frequently raised, along with issues related to transit, traffic, and trails. Attendees often remain after meetings to discuss specific concerns, such as conditions near local schools. These interactions allow opportunities for face-to-face dialogue that surveys alone cannot provide. They help ensure projects reflect the real needs of the community and create a sense of shared ownership in regional planning.

“All of the comments that come in, whether through the email inbox or hard copies, are reviewed. Each comment then becomes documented into a larger public comment report,” said SPC Public Involvement Coordinator Ronda Craig.

This means that every single public submission is read, logged, and shared with decision-makers at various agencies relevant to the plan being discussed.

Community input helps guide long-term transportation projects, promotes accountability, and ensures plans evolve with regional needs. Public participation has historically influenced project priorities, redirecting plans when needed, and reinforcing that these meetings are an essential part of our planning.

Staying Connected

Missed the recent TIP round? Jump in anytime! SPC keeps materials online, releases updates via social media and this newsletter, and flags upcoming events. Progress thrives on participation. Whether you’re a transit enthusiast, a daily driver, or just curious, these meetings remind everyone: Our region’s future isn’t set in stone, it’s shaped by all of us.



Southwestern Pennsylvania Connected – Equitable Broadband Access

Connectivity Roadmap | Digital Equity & Maps | Digital Navigator | Communication Tool Kits

About the Project

The Southwestern Pennsylvania (SWPA) Connected initiative is a regional consortium that includes the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Allies for Children, and a diverse group of regional partners to develop an equitable Connectivity Improvement Plan to provide affordable, reliable broadband internet access across the region.

This initiative is not affiliated with any internet provider and is not intended to sell any internet services. Rather, it seeks to guide the region’s future internet investments that can be made now that the historic infrastructure bill has passed, which includes $65 billion for broadband.

Broadband should be available and Affordable to the Southwest PA Region



Rural and urban areas in our region are lacking affordable
access to internet and equipment that is fast and reliable. This impacts the
quality of life for our residents and communities.

  • Rural issue – high-speed broadband service is oftentimes unavailable.
  • Urban issue – affordability where low-income households cannot afford access.

Connectivity Roadmap

The Connectivity Roadmap was informed by a public survey, county interviews, ISP interviews, workshops with regional providers, nonprofits, local and state government leaders, industry experts, community organizations, and through best practices.

An implementation Guide

Rather than identify a comprehensive set of future projects that may quickly become obsolete in this changing landscape, the Connectivity Roadmap provides several tools to guide the selection of projects as priorities shift.

  • The Project Identification Decision Tree
    guides decision-making through the steps needed to meet a given need, according
    to the existing conditions and type of need.
  • The Measures of Effectiveness
    rubric rates and weights projects according to an extensive set of metrics that
    includes technical and equitable qualifications.
  • Fourteen initial Projects have been
    prepared to illustrate priority infrastructure improvements that meet the needs
    of the county, by first starting with areas that are unserved and that can
    pursue funding immediately.



The Connectivity Roadmap not only identifies regional goals, and how to identify projects, but also provides recommendations and next steps for the SPC, county and city leadership, and other partners to improve broadband infrastructure, tools, and skills across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Digital Equity & Maps

To better understand the needs of the region, SWPA Connected
examined the current state of broadband coverage, speed, resources, and gaps in
relation to the region’s demographic and socioeconomic conditions.

SWPA Connected developed two connectivity data dashboards
leveraging existing local and national open-source datasets. We also analyzed
and incorporated Environmental Justice and Title VI data to create the
Connectivity Indices.

These mapping applications will be used to assist in prioritizing potential deployment locations across the region. In the meantime, these applications will serve entities who are applying to state and federal grant programs for broadband deployment funding by helping articulate the need to deploy high-speed connectivity to the most critical unserved and underserved areas of the region.

Note: The datasets are very large and may take time to load and refresh.

Fixed Broadband Access Index Dashboard

The Fixed Broadband Access Index Dashboard compares broadband data and socioeconomic data and identified gaps in regional access.

Adoption and Equity Index Dashboard

The Adoption and Equity Index Dashboard identifies gaps in regional access, adoption, and affordability or equity based on demographics and socioeconomic conditions.

Fixed Broadband Story Map

The Fixed Broadband Story Map provides an in-depth look at the fixed broadband speed across the region, the type of broadband or internet technology available, and what that technology supports, as well as the broadband providers throughout the region.





Digital Navigator

Overview

SPC’s Digital Navigator Resource & Mapping Tool is a user-friendly web application designed to assist residents of our ten-county region in accessing essential digital resources and assistance programs. This interactive database and map enables users to locate and explore a variety of support services tailored to their specific needs, ensuring everyone can stay connected and benefit from available digital opportunities. The Digital Navigator Program Finder features detailed provider descriptions, contact information, and links to further resources for each listed service, with a continuously-updated database to ensure the latest information on available resources and programs. The easy-to-navigate map includes demographic data on digital navigator outreach needs in the SPC region. SPC designed this resource in partnership with our broadband and digital equity stakeholders throughout the region.

Communication Tool Kits

These tool kits aim to provide helpful resources and materials to assist in raising awareness about the SWPA Connected initiative, the Connectivity Roadmap, and to provide communities and residents across the region the tools they need to increase their digital literacy and better advocate for improved internet access.

In the News/CMU Student Videos

Students in an undergraduate Junior Communications Design Studio created sample public service campaigns focused on equitable broadband as part of a course assignment.  Click below and view examples of the students’ terrific work as well as news articles related to SWPA Connected!

No license rights are granted to the videos pursuant to Carnegie Mellon’s Cost Reimbursement Pass Through Agreement No. SPC 20-17 dated March 15, 2021. The videos were created as part of an educational class assignment, and the students retain their respective intellectual property rights in them. Therefore, any desired use would be subject to the interested party negotiating and obtaining the applicable rights from the relevant student (in the student’s discretion) as well from any applicable third parties for the use of any music and/or voiceover assets in the video.


 
 



Pittsburgh Business Times: 20 People to Know in Transportation and Infrastructure: Leann Chaney, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Leann Chaney, senior active transportation coordinator at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, works with stakeholders looking to advance active transportation such as biking and walking within the SPC’s 10-county region. She provides technical guidance to help local governments achieve their active transportation goals and improve safety, comfort and connectivity. She also manages SPC’s nonmotorized data collection program, implementing the Regional Active Transportation Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania and sponsoring a quarterly Active Transportation Forum.



How did you end up working in active transportation, and what attracted you to the field?
I prefer biking or walking for short trips and often bike to work, so the idea of advancing active transportation was appealing to me. Active transportation plays a crucial role in public transportation and transportation demand management strategies and is integral to many aspects of the work we do at SPC.

In what ways can active transportation be incorporated into projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act moving forward?
There are numerous opportunities to incorporate active transportation into plans, policies and infrastructure projects. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure can be incorporated into roadway and other infrastructure projects by embracing Complete Streets principles and using innovative design guidelines to develop contextually appropriate multimodal solutions.

What has been the most gratifying aspect of your career?
Knowing that more people of all ages and abilities can safely bike, walk or roll to get to everyday destinations because new bike lanes, trails or sidewalks were installed or because street crossings were improved brings a sense of fulfillment, knowing you’ve played a part in fostering positive change.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on active transportation?
Rates of active transportation have increased nationally over the past several years, driven by improved walking and bicycling infrastructure and emerging technologies like electric bikes and micromobility solutions, like scooters. E-bikes make biking accessible to a wider range of people, and scooters provide convenient options for short trips, particularly in urban areas.

What book are you currently recommending to friends?
“The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs — one of the most influential works in community planning.

View the full article at bizjournals.com.



WPXI-TV: Pittsburgh bikeshare nonprofit installing stations, expanding into new neighborhoods

Bike Share Pittsburgh, the nonprofit operator of POGOH bikeshare, is installing 22 new POGOH stations through July and is launching 154 new e-assist bikes and 66 pedal bikes into their fleet.

In addition to creating more connections within the current network, the new stations will connect several new neighborhoods, including Hazelwood, Larimer, Garfield, Upper Lawrenceville, Allegheny Center and Central Northside.



The growth of the bikeshare network is made possible by a Federal Highway Administration grant for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ). The grant request was supported locally by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the City of Pittsburgh.

“Because POGOH riders need to both rent and return their bikes at one of our stations, we need a lot of stations to make the system convenient. This expansion is focused on increasing the convenience of our network, and better connecting more neighborhoods to bikeshare,” said David White, executive director of Bike Share Pittsburgh, in a press release. “This twenty-two station expansion is a meaningful step towards our vision to have POGOH stations in every neighborhood in the City and eventually extend to many inner ring municipalities.”

The new station locations have received approval from city council and permits from the City of Pittsburgh.

For more information about Bike Share Pittsburgh and the 2023 station expansion, visit pogoh.com.

View the full story at wpxi.com



Pittsburgh Magazine: POGOH Bikeshare Hits 1 Million Rides, Proposes 53 New Stations

If you feel like you’re noticing more bikes on the roads, you’re probably right: POGOH bikeshare hit record-breaking ridership last year and has reached 1 million rides total since launching in 2015.

“Students, residents and visitors embraced POGOH last year — it’s clear that when we expand the station network, our ridership grows significantly,” said David White, executive director of Bike Share Pittsburgh, the nonprofit that operates POGOH bikeshare, in a press release.



To meet the demand, Bike Share Pittsburgh has announced POGOH’s Phase 3 Expansion, which aims to add more than 50 new stations to Pittsburgh over the next few years. There are currently 60 stations across Pittsburgh.

“We have a vision that POGOH stations cover every neighborhood in the city, and that over time our network will extend to many inner-ring municipalities in Allegheny County,” White said.

POGOH plans to engage with Pittsburgh communities to choose the 50 new locations; feedback is being accepted through an interactive map on its website.

Funding for the new stations will come from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, the Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Grant in partnership with the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, and other grants.

In 2023, 211,000 rides were recorded, up significantly from the previous high of 124,000 in 2021. Bike Share Pittsburgh said the increase in usage can be attributed to factors such as the popularity of the electric-assist bicycles, high ridership from the University of Pittsburgh community, increased support for biking and walking, and collaboration with PRT, which allows users to register and rent POGOH bikes through its Transit App.

View the full article at pittsburghmagazine.com.



Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Unveils New Safety Plan Duo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is proud to announce the approval of two transformative plans on June 23, 2025, aimed at improving transportation and safety across the 10-county region.

The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) is a cutting-edge tool tailored for industry professionals, planners, and engineers. This interactive story map offers detailed data, maps, and resources to support the development of bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, and other active transportation projects. The ATP aims to improve connectivity and promote healthier, more sustainable travel options, making it an invaluable resource for shaping the region’s future mobility. It is available for online viewing and usage here.



Complementing the ATP, the Regional Safety Action Plan (RSAP) addresses a critical need for safer roads across SWPA. This comprehensive document outlines strategies to reduce traffic crashes, enhance pedestrian safety, and upgrade infrastructure, impacting everyone from daily commuters to cyclists. Accompanied by a series of engaging videos, the RSAP highlights real-world safety improvements, offering a visual testament to SPC’s dedication to protecting all road users. The plan builds on recent regional safety data, aiming to address high-risk areas identified through community input and analysis. It is available for online viewing here.

SPC invites the public, industry professionals, and local leaders to explore these plans and provide feedback as implementation begins. Videos and additional resources will be shared on SPC’s social media channels in the coming days.

Media Inquiries: DJ Ryan
Cell:  412-478-1928 
DJRyan@spcregion.org

###

About Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission:
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, more commonly known as SPC, is the cooperative forum for regional collaboration, planning, and public decision-making for the ten counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania including the City of Pittsburgh. SPC develops plans and programs for public investment and fulfills federal and state requirements for transportation, economic development, and local government assistance programs.

PRESS RELEASE DOWNLOAD (PDF)



Commuting Initiatives

What is CommuteInfo?

CommuteInfo is SPC’s program offering transportation solutions to alleviate stress, and even save you time and money. From navigating a transit system to finding and joining a carpool or vanpool, CommuteInfo can help you own your commute.

Featured Commuter Option: Vanpooling!

There’s a Vanpool waiting for you. Click to learn more!



Download the CommuteInfo app today!

Photo link to download the CommuteInfo app from the App Store

Photo link to download the CommuteInfo app from Google Play





Own Your Commute!

Registering with CommuteInfo is free and easy. You can record your trips to see your savings, track your impact, and even qualify for special rewards.



CommuteInfo Registration

Join CommuteInfo today! It’s free and easy to do!



Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Modifications

CommuteInfo vanpools are subsidized with federal funding. As such, ADA Reasonable Modifications are a requirement of this funding. Any individual that has a concern regarding reasonable modifications can contact Julia Ferri – Transportation Demand Management Program Manager – Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, directly by phone @ 412-391-5590 X373, or at jferri@spcregion.org

What is a reasonable modification to a vanpool program? Agencies are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure that their programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Examples of reasonable modifications:

  • A group has established a rule regarding not eating food or drinking beverages while commuting.
  • A member of the pool has a medical need to ingest food/beverages due to a particular condition.
  • The group allows for the alteration of the rule to accommodate the pool member.
  • The pool group has set a rule that the pick-up window is a maximum of five minutes.
  • A member of the group requires more than five minutes due to a disability.
  • The group waves the rule in order to accommodate the pool member.

Examples of what a reasonable modification is not:

  • Not needed by the requester to use the service.
  • Fundamental alteration of service.
  • Direct threat to the health or safety of others.



CommuteInfo offers several ride sharing solutions to alleviate the stressors associated with your daily commute.

Commute Options

  1. Carpool – A carpool is when a small group shares a ride to work or school in a personal vehicle.
  2. Transit – Public transportation options like buses, light rail, and the incline are available across the region, with different options in each county. 
  3. Vanpool – A vanpool is when a group of 6 to 15 people rides together to work or school in a leased vehicle.
  4. Biking – Hop on a bike and join hundreds of commuters in the region who ride to work or school!
  5. Walking – Walking to work is great for your health, costs nothing in gas, and produces no harmful emissions.

FAQs

Who Drives the Carpool?

Drivers are volunteers. The group decides who will drive and if they will take turns driving.

Who Drives the Vanpool?

Drivers are volunteers. At least two people from each group drive, and one signs the rental agreement. Training is provided. Applicants must submit an application, have their driving history reviewed, and undergo a credit check for van renters.

Where can I find transit services near me?

Visit SPC’s ‘Transit Routes’ mapping application.

Where can I find additional information about biking around Pittsburgh?

BikePGH (opens in new tab) offers many resources about biking in the region.

Where can I find general information about biking and walking on and off the Region’s trail system.

Check out SPCs Active Transportation Resource Center (opens in new tab)!

Do carpools and vanpools utilize the HOV lanes?

Yes! Carpools and vanpools qualify for HOV lanes.

Emergency Ride Home

Sometimes meetings run late, and you can’t always follow someone else’s schedule. If you need a ride home, we’ve got you covered with our Emergency Ride Home benefit. Just arrange your ride, keep the receipt, and we’ll reimburse you.

To qualify, you must be registered with CommuteInfo and use a vanpool or carpool on the day you need the ride. Check our Program Guidelines to make sure you’re eligible. Submit your receipt with a refund application to CommuteInfo within 30 days to get reimbursed.

You can get reimbursed for up to 4 trips each year, or up to $100. Every January, the 4 trips or $100 limit will reset

ERH Resources

ERH Program Guidelines

Emergency Ride Home Service Guidelines

The CommuteInfo program’s Emergency Ride Home service is currently available to those commuters registered with the CommuteInfo program who commute at least once a week by eligible modes.

Eligibility by Employment Status:

  • Full Time & Part Time Employees
  • Full Time & Part Time Students

Eligibility by Mode:

  • Registered CommuteInfo Bicycle Commuters
  • Registered CommuteInfo Carpool Participants
  • Registered CommuteInfo Vanpool Participants
  • Registered Transit Riders (* eligibility determined by each transit operator, as specified below):

    • Beaver County Transit Authority riders must have an All-Day Pass, BCTA 10+1 Trip Ticket, BCTA 7-Day Pass or BCTA 31- Day Pass.
    • Butler Transit Authority riders must be a current Adult or Student 30 day unlimited pass holder, 15 trip commuter pass, or 31 trip commuter pass.
    • Fayette Area Coordinated Transit riders must be a current multi-trip pass holder (10 or 50 trip pass).
    • Freedom Transit riders must be a weekly (10 trip) or monthly (40 trip) ticket holder.
    • Westmoreland County Transit Authority riders who are 10-trip or monthly pass holders.

Eligibility by Usage of Non-Single Occupant Vehicle Mode:

Must be registered with the CommuteInfo program, commuting via eligible mode at least once a week and on the day the emergency ride is requested. To register, download the free CommuteInfo app or visit the CommuteInfo website.

Eligibility by Trip Purposes:

  • From work to home
  • From work to hospital/doctor’s office
  • From work to school or daycare (e.g., pick-up sick child)
  • 1 stop allowed (e.g., from work to doctor’s office to home)

Reasons for Use:

  • Unscheduled overtime or late meeting (i.e., no advance warning)
  • Sickness or accident of immediate family member (child, spouse, parent)
  • Breakdown or accident of carpool vehicle on way home from work (i.e., not a vehicle that was planned to be in the shop for several days)
  • Carpool partner or vanpool driver had to unexpectedly leave work early (e.g., sickness)

Modes Used to Provide Service: A variety of modes may be utilized depending on the location and circumstances (see suggested service providers list).

  • Ride hailing apps (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
  • Taxi
  • Rental car
  • Transit

Program Requirements:

  • Commuter must be pre-registered with the CommuteInfo ERH service and must agree to the terms of service in order to receive a ride. To register or to receive a copy of the terms of service, contact the CommuteInfo staff by email or by calling 1-888-819-6110.
  • Each registered commuter can be reimbursed for a total of 4 ERH each calendar year or a cumulative total of $100 worth of ERH trips, even if the number of trips is less than 4.
  • Depending on the nature of the emergency, and home and work locations, a commuter using the ERH service may use a taxi, car rental, transit, or any combination of these services to reach their destination point. The CommuteInfo program will pay for one vendor service and/or one transit service per request. The commuter must submit their ERH refund application and receipt to the CommuteInfo office within thirty days of the ERH trip. Please allow 45 days from receipt for review and reimbursement.
  • If the ERH trip is made by Access, the commuter will not pay for their trip at the time it is taken. Access will bill the CommuteInfo program directly for the ride. The commuter will still be required to submit a refund application for the ride. If the ride is not eligible under the ERH guidelines (described above) and/or the refund application is not submitted, Access will then bill the commuter directly for the cost of the ride.
  • If the ERH trip is made by rental car, the commuter is responsible for signing a standard rental agreement, showing a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, providing a credit card number for collateral, returning the rental car within a 24-hour period, and the following charges: gasoline refueling charges, taxes, purchase of insurance (if necessary), additional rental charges if auto is not returned within a 24-hour period (unless the CommuteInfo program staff has given prior approval for additional rental time). The commuter will be responsible for any loss or damage to the rental car.

ERH is a free service provided by the CommuteInfo program. CommuteInfo program staff will use their best efforts to administer the Emergency Ride Home service in accordance with the guidelines shown above. By requesting assistance from the Emergency Ride Home service, the participant in the program explicitly acknowledges that the CommuteInfo program assumes no liability for the timeliness of the ERH participating vendor(s) or any accidents that may occur on the conveyance.

Advance Emergency Planning

Remember to learn about CommuteInfo’s Emergency Ride Home service before the need arises. Familiarize yourself with the acceptable conditions for which you can receive reimbursement for an Emergency Ride Home. And keep in mind:

  • The ERH service cannot be used for working late without a supervisor’s request, weather emergencies, any type of building closings or evacuations or acts of God.
  • The ERH program is for unexpected emergencies and unexpected overtime only. ERH may not be used for personal errands, previously scheduled appointments or business-related travel.

Also, it is recommended that you identify one or several possible ERH providers for your commute in advance, and keep their contact info in a convenient location, such as your wallet or purse.

Updated – May 2026

Additional Commuter Resources



Offer your employees a stress-free way into work!

CommuteInfo can help your organization to offer effective commuting options to your employees.

General Info

Our team is happy to meet with you to discuss your team’s commuting habits and possible tax incentives for your business. We can help create a ridesharing plan that works for your organization.

Employers can earn points towards LEED certification for alternative transportation under the ‘Location and Transportation Credit’ category. You may also qualify for Commuter Choice tax incentives.

(See ‘Employer Resources’ Column for helpful links and further reading).

Employer Resources

Employer Initiatives

Employers can benefit from CommuteInfo’s ride matching tools, employee outreach, and vanpooling/carpooling coordination services. By offering these services to your employees, you can boost your company’s sustainability, recruitment, and employee benefits.

Request a Speaker

Has an employee or job-seeker missed an appointment or interview because of transportation issues? CommuteInfo can help with a free employer transportation consultation, employee lunch and learns, tabling at benefits fairs, etc. Email us for more information!



Welcome to the SPC Park-N-Ride Locator!

Public transportation schedules can change, sometimes even same-day. Contact your provider listed below about the Park-N-Ride lot you’re interested in to confirm service availability.

(links below open in new tab)

Beaver County Transit Authority:
https://bcta.com

Butler Transit:
https://www.butlertransitauthority.com

Fayette Area Coordinated Transit:
https://www.fayettecountypa.org/168/Fayette-Area-Coordinated-Transportation-

Indiana County Transit Authority
https://www.indigobus.com/

Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority:
https://www.mmvta.com

New Castle Area Transit Authority
https://newcastletransit.org/

Pittsburgh Regional Transit:
https://www.rideprt.org/

Town and Country Transit (Armstrong County)
https://www.tandctransit.com/

Washington County/Freedom Transit:
https://freedom-transit.org

Westmoreland Transit:
https://www.westmorelandtransit.com/



Commute Cost Calculator

Find out how much you could be saving with our Commute Cost Calculator!

* American Automobile Association’s 2026 Your Driving Cost, average cost estimate ($.772 per mile, which includes fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license and registration fees, taxes, depreciation, and finance charges.)







We’d love to hear from you!

Send us an email at commuteinfo@spcregion.org.



Terms Of Use and Privacy Statement

BACKGROUND

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s (“SPC,” “we,” “us,” “our”) Commuteinfo.org® program (“CommuteInfo program”) provides a variety of services for residents, employees and employers in the Southwestern PA region (including but not limited to ridematching, vanpooling, Emergency Ride Home and incentive programs).  SPC, in part, has commissioned the creation of a regional rideshare program to assist people that commute within the Southwestern PA region.  SPC is not the only entity involved in commissioning and/or promoting the rideshare program, and as such, the program may be subject to terms and conditions outside of those required by SPC.  Particularly, the ridematching software used by SPC (RidePro) is not directly under the control of SPC and, therefore, may be governed by separate terms and conditions.

A rideshare program, by its very nature, may entail some risk.  The purpose of the rideshare program is to ease travel to and from an individual’s workplace or school by promoting transit, biking, and walking as well as facilitating the establishment of carpools, vanpools, and bike groups.  As such, there may be times when you are a passenger or a driver for other passengers.  SPC, in providing this service of matching riders and drivers based on location and work or school schedule, hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability for any accidents or harm to any rideshare program participants.  SPC provides this service solely as a venue for communication between commuters that meet certain criteria.  We do not evaluate or insure the character or skill of any drivers or passengers.  Furthermore, our records are based on information that users enter into the database.  Some of this information may be inaccurate or incomplete.  SPC and the CommuteInfo program do not evaluate the correctness or truthfulness of the information submitted and cannot be responsible for any false information submitted.

This agreement (the “Terms of Use”) explains the contractual relationship between you (“you,” “your”) the person using this web site (the “Web Site”), and SPC, regarding your use of the Web Site and your participation in the CommuteInfo program.  Your continued use of the Web Site is your automatic agreement to the provisions in the Terms of Use.  If you do not accept these Terms of Use, you are not authorized to use the Web Site.

We recommend that you review these Terms of Use.  You should also print a copy for your records.

UPDATES TO TERMS OF USE

We may amend these Terms of Use at any time by posting the amended Terms of Use on the Web Site. Please review our Web Site and these Terms of Use periodically for updates or changes. Your continued use of the Web Site after the posting of the amended Terms of Use constitutes your automatic acceptance of the amended Terms of Use. You may only amend these Terms of Use with a written agreement signed by both you and SPC.

USE OF WEB SITES

You agree to use our Web Site only for lawful purposes. You agree not to use the service for illegal purposes or for the transmission of material that is unlawful, harassing, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable, or that infringes or may infringe the intellectual property or other rights of another or that violates any federal, state or local law. You agree to supply truthful information.

PRIVACY POLICY

Our Privacy Policy is a part of the Terms of Use. We may amend the Privacy Policy from time to time.

Who May Use This Web Site
This Web Site is not intended or designed to attract users who are minors. We do not collect personally identifiable data from any person we know to be under the age of 18 and instruct users under 18 not to send us any information for collection on the Web Site.

Information Collected From You
If you choose to take advantage of our rideshare program you will be asked to provide personal information. You then become a Registered User.  We will collect personal information that you choose to share with us which can identify you, such as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and other similar information. We will use this information to create a database to be used to match riders and drivers and to respond to your requests.  We may also use this information to contact you and/or provide you with general information about ridesharing. We may share this information with others in order to accomplish our goal of enhancing transportation services in Southwestern Pennsylvania but we will not disclose your information for commercial marketing purposes.

By submitting this information about yourself on our application you agree that the information you submit will be entered into the regional rideshare database. Matches between riders and drivers are made via computer and based on proximity of home and worksite or school addresses and work or school schedules.  If you have agreed to be matched with potential rideshare partners, they will receive a letter, fax or email from us with your contact information.

Although your information will not be provided to a marketing company it may be aggregated for statistical purposes and that information may be used for marketing.

How your information is used
We utilize “cookies.”  These are small files that we send to and store on your computer so that we may recognize it as a unique machine.  We do not store personal information from one visit to the next by a user.

The information you provide when you become a Registered User is used among other uses to help us customize your online experience.  Your User ID serves as a unique identifier in our record system, and it is used to prevent unauthorized access to any information you choose to store on our site.

We may also use the information you provide at registration to contact you for administrative, or other reasons.  You may have these communications terminated.  This likely will take 4-6 weeks from the time you give us notice.

The information gathered automatically by our system–such as your computer’s IP address, the kind of browser you’re using, and a record of your navigation through the Website may be used so we can understand how to make our site convenient and useful to our audience and to improve our products and services.

Your Choices
You can apply to participate in the rideshare program online, over the telephone, or you can send us an application on paper.  In any event, we store data in our computer database.

Access To Your Information
In the event of a merger or business transaction, our assets may be sold or transferred or used as security and your information may be transferred to third parties as part of that transaction. Your information may be shared with affiliated businesses or partners. We do not intend to reveal individually identifiable information to third parties except in the manner stated in the Privacy Policy. We provide aggregated information received from you to third parties and take commercially reasonable precautions to prevent the aggregated information provided to third parties from including significant individually identifiable information. We cannot insure that your information will never be disclosed in ways not described in this Privacy Policy.

If we are requested by law enforcement or government officials or judicial or regulatory authorities to provide information on you, we may, without your consent, provide such information. In matters involving claims of personal or public safety or in litigation where the data is pertinent, we may use or disclose your personal information without your consent, knowledge or court process.

Will Your Information Be Secure?
We recognize you may be concerned about the security of your personal information, and we are committed to employing reasonable technology in order to protect the security of our Web Site. Even with such technology, no web site is 100% secure. We will take reasonable measures which we believe are appropriate to protect your information from loss, misuse, alteration or destruction, and, where possible, will ask that any third parties to whom we may transfer your information take comparable steps to protect that security.

We are the owner of data you supply to us.

NO WARRANTY

WE PROVIDE THE WEB SITE, THE COMMUTEINFO PROGRAM, AND ANY OTHER SERVICES “AS IS”, WHERE IS, AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY. WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE ALSO DO NOT GUARANTEE CONTINUOUS, UNINTERRUPTED OR SECURE ACCESS TO OUR SERVICES, AND OPERATION OF THE WEB SITE MAY BE INTERFERED WITH BY NUMEROUS FACTORS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL. YOU USE THE WEB SITE AND THE COMMUTEINFO PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK.

YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT ANY MATERIAL AND/OR INFORMATION DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF OR FROM OUR WEB SITE IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK AND THAT YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR USE OR NONUSE OF SUCH INFORMATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF SUCH MATERIAL AND/OR INFORMATION AND ANY BODILY INJURY. WE AND OUR AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY SERVICES OBTAINED THROUGH OR FROM OUR WEB SITE OR ANY TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH OUR WEB SITE. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM US OR THROUGH OR FROM ANY SERVICE ON OUR WEB SITE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

You hereby release us (and our agents and employees) from any and all claims, demands, injuries, liabilities, costs (including attorneys’ fees) and damages (actual, consequential and punitive) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, any and all suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of the Web Site and/or the CommuteInfo program, including without limitation, in connection with any dispute you may have with one or more users of the Web Site and/or CommuteInfo program.  You waive the provisions of any law or regulation limiting or prohibiting a general release.

We will have no liability, whatsoever, for the unavailability of the Web Site or lack of performance of the maintenance work to keep the Web Site operable. We will also not have any liability for any loss of data or transactions resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by us, any third party acts or any other web host provider or the Internet infrastructure and network external to the Web Site.

In no event shall SPC be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or for any loss of profits or revenue, regardless of whether we knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages.
The limitations of liability provided in these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy inure to the benefit of SPC, subsidiaries, and our affiliates, and to all of our respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents. Some jurisdictions do not permit the disclaimers and limitations contained in these Terms of Use, in which case they may not be applicable to you.

INDEMNIFICATION

We reserve the right to report any wrongdoing, if and when we become aware of it, to any applicable government agencies. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, costs, liabilities, losses and damages of any kind (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from your use of the Web Site, the CommuteInfo program, your breach of any provision of these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and/or any intentional wrongdoing by you. Any such indemnification shall be conditioned on our: (a) notifying you in writing of any such claim, demand, action, cost, liability, loss or threat of any thereof; (b) reasonably cooperating with you in the defense or settlement thereof; and (c) allowing you to control such defense or settlement provided that you shall not undertake any defense or make any settlement which might give rise to liability for us without our prior written consent. We shall be entitled to participate in such defense at our own cost and expense.

THIRD PARTY LINKS, CONTENT AND TERMS OF USE

The Web Site may contain links to third-party web sites not under the control or operation of SPC. When we provide links, we do so only as a convenience and do not endorse and are not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy do not apply to these other links.

The Web Site may contain information or other functionality provided by various third party providers.  Use of any third party news, information or functionality may be conditioned upon Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies as provided by such third party providers. Your use of links to those other Web Sites constitutes acceptance of these third parties’ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies.  We recommend that you review these linked sites’ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies.

OUR RELATIONSHIP

No agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer or franchisor-franchisee relationship is intended or created by these Terms of Use between you and SPC or between any other rider or driver and SPC.  These Terms of Use are an agreement between you and us and are not intended to be for the benefit of any third party.

OWNERSHIP

The Web Site and all intellectual property rights included in or related to the Web Site (including but not limited to any information databases, copyrights, trademarks and service marks), are owned or licensed by us or our affiliates, and all right, title and interest in the Web Site and the intellectual property rights remain our property (or the property of the respective licensors).  You may not, and these Terms of Use do not give you permission to, reproduce, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify or create derivative works with respect to the Web Site. Certain content may be licensed from third parties and all such third party content and all intellectual property rights related to the content belong to the respective third parties. You may not remove any copyright, trademark or other intellectual property or proprietary notice or legend contained on the Web Site or its content.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

You agree to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations regarding: (i) use of the Web Site and the CommuteInfo program; and (ii) release of information to and retrieval of information from the Web Site and any SPC database.  To the extent that any applicable taxes apply to your use of the Web Site, you are responsible for the payment of such taxes.

TERMINATION OF USE

If at any time you are not in compliance with these Terms of Use or Privacy Policy, or if you supply false information or otherwise violate the rights of other users, we have the right to terminate your use of, your access to and your participation in the Web Site and the CommuteInfo program. We also have the absolute right to terminate your use, access and participation at our discretion, for any reason, or for no reason.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

The Web Site (excluding linked sites) is operated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.  It can be accessed from all 50 states in the United States, as well as from other countries around the world. As each of these places has laws that may differ from those of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, by accessing the Web Site, you agree that these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and your use of the Web Site shall be governed in all respects by the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States of America, without regard to conflict of laws provisions.  SPC makes no representation that materials on the Web Site are appropriate or available for use in other locations, and accessing them from territories where their contents are illegal is prohibited. Those who choose to access this site from other locations do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.  Furthermore, any controversy or claim brought by you against SPC arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use or the Web Site or the CommuteInfo program shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Any such controversy or claim brought by you shall be arbitrated on an individual basis, and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. The arbitration shall be conducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered into any court having jurisdiction thereof.

NOTICE

Except as explicitly stated otherwise or required by law, you shall provide any notices to Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s CommuteInfo program by e-mail at CommuteInfo@spcregion.org.

OTHER GENERAL PROVISIONS

If any provision of these Terms of Use is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be struck and the remaining provisions enforced.  Headings are for reference purposes only. Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches. These Terms of Use, and all writings and web pages incorporated by reference into these Terms of Use, set forth the entire understanding and agreement between us with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
42 21st Street, Suite 101
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
1-888-819-6110
Posted February 26, 2013



Tribune-Review: Verona Borough hosts walk audit, evaluates safety of roads for walkers

Elected officials, business owners and residents from Verona and Oakmont gathered Sept. 27 to walk from the Off the Rails restaurant in Verona to College Avenue in Oakmont and back again for a Verona Borough walk audit.
 
Trish Hredzak, vice president of Verona council, set up the audit after there was some divide from residents and committee members about the VOPP Trail bike path planned at the intersection of Center Avenue and Allegheny River Boulevard and the viaduct connecting Oakmont to Verona. Despite discussions of rerouting the path, there are still issues with the viaduct that need to be solved, Hredzak said.



“Even if we reroute (the bike path), we can’t forget about the viaduct,” Hredzak said.
 
She said the council has received multiple complaints about the stretch of road, including the condition of its crosswalks, speeding motorists and safety concerns while walking along the road. The roadway was designed in the 1930s and changes from two lanes to five lanes and then back to two lanes in less than a mile.
 
Hredzak said she had multiple conversations with state Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Penn Hills, through which the VOPP Trail will run. After a few conversations, she suggested the walk audit to get first-hand opinions from residents.
 
“We wanted to think of (solutions) from a non-motorist perspective,” Hredzak said.
 
The day of the walk audit, 50 people, including government officials, business owners, residents of Oakmont and Verona and Riverview students attended the event.
 
Officials included state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forrest Hills, Allegheny County councilman Nick Futules, Riverview School District superintendent Neil English and McAndrew.
 
Attendees were split into four groups to make the almost mile-long trek. Some members of the group were given strollers, walkers, wheelchairs or canes to use during the walk to give an accurate perspective of what it would be like to walk with those additions.
 
Riverview student Eli DeVita, 18, pushed a stroller during the audit. He expressed how difficult it was for him to maneuver the stroller over cobblestones and around potholes while crossing the street. He said it was difficult to find a place to walk off the sidewalk onto the road to cross the street at Center and Allegheny River Boulevard without being placed in front of traffic.
 
“There’s some really strange geometry at Center and Allegheny River Boulevard,” said Craig Toocheck, an employee of Pittsburgh Regional Transit who attended the audit to discuss methods to make bus stops fit with crosswalk placements or edits in the borough.
 
DeVita was joined by classmates Renton Biondich, 17, and Cailey Trosch, 17. Trosch used a walker during the study and expressed the same difficulties as DeVita.
 
Hredzak said nine students attended the audit. Trosch said she and the other seniors attended the event for their civics class — for class they are required to attend a council meeting, but the walking audit counted as a replacement event.
 
Suzie Davis, 69, of Verona had complaints about how faded the crosswalks are on the road.
 
“My husband and I are crossing guards down here,” Davis said. “People don’t pay attention. They blow the red light on my husband (at the intersection of South Avenue and Allegheny River Boulevard) all the time. As a crossing guard, you see a lot.”
 
The group also discovered that some sidewalk ramps were pointed in the wrong direction for visually impaired people trying to cross the street safely.
 
During the walk, participants were asked to check off boxes for how easy the route was for walking and make suggestions for traffic deterrents such as on-street parking and mid-block crosswalks.
 
After the audit, Hredzak asked participants to fill out a survey to see what residents want prioritized.
 
“It’s always good to check in with your base,” Hredzak said.
 
Leann Chaney, senior active transportation planner with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, helped Hredzak to organize the audit.
 
“Without (SPC’s) guidance, I would have no idea how to organize this,” Hredzak said. “Without them, it would not have been as well orchestrated.”
 
The results of the survey will be used in future road studies in the borough.

View the full story at triblive.com.



Valley News Dispatch (Tribune-Review): Hundreds turn out for Gilpin trail opening, look forward to completion of next leg this year

Avid cyclist Bob Cropp enjoys blazing a trail.

And with the addition of 10 miles to Armstrong Trails in Armstrong County, Cropp of Grove City arrived on his bike Monday morning to learn more about the ongoing efforts to expand the trail in the Kiski Junction corridor through Gilpin.



“It’s new to see, and I want to support this,” said Cropp of his reason for attending the “Celebrating the Impossible” trail christening, a public event at the Armstrong Trails trailhead in Schenley that drew a large crowd despite rainy weather.

The gathering was sponsored by Armstrong Trails, an organization dedicated to protecting and converting railroad corridors into trails for public use, with a goal of acting as an economic stimulus for area communities.

Hundreds gathered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to officially open the newest section of completed trail that runs from Crooked Creek/Manor Township in Armstrong County to Gilpin, part of the 52.5-mile trail on the former Allegheny Valley Railroad corridor.

The completed trail extends from Rosston in Manor Township, near the confluence of Crooked Creek and the Allegheny River, to the Kiski River in Gilpin and includes a refurbished railroad bridge that dates to 1899.

Armstrong Trails Executive Director Chris Ziegler said she was a little overwhelmed with emotion by the turnout Monday.

“We worked really hard for a solid nine months. Without Art and Pam, this task would have been much harder. They showed up every day,” Ziegler said.

Trail volunteers Art Haugh and Pam King are core helpers. King of New Castle smiled with satisfaction as she reflected on her new volunteer pursuits.

“It’s just really neat to see this,” said King, who volunteers operating heavy-duty excavating equipment. “It’s a great turnout, and I’m feeling good.”

“(Ziegler) is amazing. She has done the impossible,” Armstrong County Commissioner Anthony Shea said.

Shea recalled when a factory in Schenley closed in 1982.

“It was a really sad day, and people said the best days of this area were done. I don’t believe that. I believe with these trails, our best days are ahead of us,” Shea said.

Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn traveled from Harrisburg to serve as one of the guest speakers.

Dunn noted beyond the connection of the communities the trail provides, the trail ultimately connects people and their stories.

“These things take time. This Armstrong Trails has been underway for 30 or more years,” Dunn said. “And this trail is significant. This bridge is special.”

Closing the trail gaps statewide is a priority this year, Dunn said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro allotted $112 million for park and forest infrastructure last year. In the latest proposed budget, Shapiro is asking for $8.5 million to build trails across Pennsylvania.

“It’s attracting and keeping communities together, particularly young people — having people come home to the best places to live, work and play nestled along the banks of these rivers,” Dunn said.

Armstrong Trails transportation history dates back to 1855 when the first railroad line along the Allegheny River began hauling passengers, lumber, iron ore and coal.

Rail service continued into the 1970s.

In 1992, Armstrong Trails (formerly Allegheny Valley Land Trust) purchased the rail corridor for Armstrong Trails.

Gilpin resident Megan Beattie lives about a mile from the trail and attended the ceremony.

Beattie said she was happy to hear that the next 4 miles of trail on tap will continue from Schenley south to Leechburg.

“It’ll be neat to just go straight to Leechburg. This is super convenient,” Beattie said.

Leechburg Mayor Doreen Smeal was among the local officials in attendance.

She said Leechburg is ready to welcome the trail and hopes to welcome plenty of recreational tourists this summer.

“All of the easements are approved, and property owners along Kiski, River and Hicks avenues have worked with the borough. We’re going to do everything we can to make our little town a tourist town,” Smeal said.

Three free bike racks recently were installed in Leechburg Riverview Park, at the Volunteer Fire Department near the Kiski River boat launch and one at the end of the Hyde Park Walking Bridge, all donated by the Leechburg Rotary.

Cyclist and retiree Chris Lorenzato of Canonsburg showed up to check out more biking options for himself and his cyclist friends.

Lorenzato, 71, has been riding since 2001.

“They’re doing good. I’ve been all over these trails. I just go to the trailhead, and we ride all day,” Lorenzato said.

Next up for the trail volunteers is locating cross pipes and cleaning up the trees along the 4-mile stretch to Leechburg.

Already funded by the trail volunteer fund, the Leechburg expansion will cost about $60,000.

The trail is expected to be completed in late spring in time for the summer season, Ziegler said.

“We’re not guaranteed money or funding or anything, but we are guaranteed smiling faces that we see riding down the trail — the grandparents and families — that’s what we’re guaranteed,” she said.

Armstrong Trails follows along the eastern bank of the Kiski and Allegheny rivers in Westmoreland, Clarion and Armstrong counties.

Ziegler told the crowd that a $120,000 cash investment paid for the project, but not without the donations and volunteer hours of an estimated $657,000 in labor costs and $813,00 in donated equipment.

Gilpin Supervisors Chairman Charles Stull is eager to see the next phase of the trail connecting Gilpin and Leechburg completed.

“This will not only help bolster the Gilpin economy, but also Leechburg’s economy and the entire Leechburg area. This extension is huge for our local recreation and economy,” Stull said.

View the full article at triblive.com.



BikePGH: Councilwoman Warwick Introduces Vision Zero Resolution to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries

Since our 2014 Member’s Meeting, Bike Pittsburgh has been pushing Pittsburgh’s mayors to adopt a policy toward zero traffic deaths. While other policy goals of ours such as a Complete Streets policy and a new bike plan were achieved in 2017 and 2020 respectively, we still lacked the bold policy goal of zero traffic fatalities until this week.



On Monday, March 4, Mayor Gainey answered our call and made a commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries as part of his vision of making Pittsburgh the safest City in the country. This policy commitment, known as Vision Zero, is due to be supported by City Council, with the introduction of Councilperson Warwick’s Vision Zero Resolution.

At the core of Vision Zero is the recognition that these fatalities and serious injuries are, in fact, preventable. All humans make mistakes, so we need to design our streets in a way where the chances that someone will be maimed or killed because of that mistake is reduced. When this engineering is combined with a holistic approach including education, a change in processes and policy, encouragement, evaluation, and public safety, true gains can be made toward eliminating harm.

Additionally, a formal city commitment towards zero traffic fatalities will help open Pittsburgh up to even more Federal safety funds, as the Biden Administration has developed a National Roadway Safety Strategy to address what they refer to as a “national crisis” of the needless loss of more than 40,000 American lives per year.

Councilperson Warwick’s resolution begins with the standard legalese justifying why the bill is necessary with statistics and values.

WHEREAS, traffic deaths and serious injuries occur disproportionately in low-income communities, communities of color, and communities with low car ownership and disproportionately affect individuals with limited mobility, people with disabilities, and people who are unhoused, children, and the elderly

A sample from Councilperson Warwick’s Vision Zero Resolution

After addressing why this is necessary, the resolution gets into “how” the city will achieve this goal. This section sets specific actions that city departments and staff should take, however it still lacks a target date to by which to reach this goal of zero. The resolution is by no means comprehensive, but it outlines the first necessary steps to catalyze action. It will also inform the future Vision Zero Action Plan that the City, County and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission are developing with funds from President Biden’s federal infrastructure bill.

First, the resolution formally adopts the goal “of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways and endorses the Vision Zero strategy as a comprehensive and holistic approach to achieving this goal, while maintaining constant evaluation of programs and practices.”

Second, DOMI will create a Vision Zero Task Force comprised of individuals from various City departments “that may be expected to commit resources or take actions toward the objective of Vision Zero.” This is a standard step in making sure that all appropriate departments are collaborating toward the goal in their work through this new lens, as well as adopting new policies and procedures that are missing. We don’t know everything that will come of this, but a focus on the goal may yield some surprising results. For instance, they may determine that a policy banning right turn on reds should be implemented citywide. In another example in New York City, they realized that outfitting large city fleet and contracted vehicles with side-guards will improve safety results. Other cities have lowered speed limits.

The third section gets into how the city will use the newly launched High Injury Network (HIN) map as a guide for where focus street improvements, policy, and education resources, with an eye toward equity. The “Vision Zero Working Group shall create a Vision Zero Memorandum to commit City resources to the goal…while prioritizing the most vulnerable and dependent users of the most dangerous parts of the transportation network.”

The fourth and final step of the resolution directs DOMI to include a Vision Zero component in their biennial Complete Streets Report.

Earlier in the day on Monday, March 4, DOMI presented their first Biennial Complete Streets Report to Council, a requirement of the 2017 Complete Streets Policy, another major policy win that BikePGH campaigned on during the Peduto administration. The report is a snapshot on what the City is currently doing toward road traffic safety, what the City needs to do, and a large dose of statistics on what’s happening on the ground.

Behind the statistics are people – our families, friends, and neighbors. Each crash has a ripple effect that touches countless lives.

DOMI 2023 Complete Streets Biennial Report

Another aspect of the 2017 Complete Streets Policy included the formation of a Complete Streets Advisory Group (CSAG). The group dissolved, along with many things during the pandemic, but in 2023, DOMI and the Mayor resurrected it. The CSAG Engage Page will be the primary public-facing location to keep track of the progress toward Vision Zero. On the page, you can currently find the CSAG Biennial Report, the HIN Map, a list of planning documents, and past meeting minutes.

BikePGH is glad to see the Gainey Administration and City Council make this commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Pittsburgh. Committing to zero deaths is good policy and help ensure that Pittsburgh families cease getting their lives upended by a mistake that could have been prevented in the first place.

Councilperson Warwick’s Vision Zero Resolution will be discussed in Council Chambers during their Standing Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 10am. There is an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of the meeting (sign up here) to support the commitment to Vision Zero. If you would like more information about how to talk to Council, please contact us: advocacy@bikepgh.org.

View the full article at bikepgh.org.