Walking is a carbon-free mode of commuting, and it is also the form of commuting that uses the least amount of street space. Help reduce our reliance on motor vehicles (and in turn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions) by walking around campus!
Panther Walking Route
Whether you’re a new student at Pitt, visiting Pittsburgh, or a Pitt employee wanting to get out of the office, exploring campus is easy with the Panther Walking Route! The 40-minute walk (2 miles) has 10 stops each with a QR code to learn more about that area of campus and some fun facts about sustainability initiatives and opportunities to improve your wellness here at Pitt. Visit Panther Walking Route | Human Resources | University of Pittsburgh for more information.
Walking Benefits
- Save Time: Walking is faster than you think. Most people can walk 1 city block per minute. Walking from the OC lot to the William Pitt Union takes approximately 15-18 minutes. From the Towers to the Cathedral of Learning takes approximately 5 minutes. From Benedum Hall to the Hillman Library takes approximately 10 minutes.
- Save Money: Cut the cost of a parking permit and opt to walk instead.
- Be Healthy: Walking regularly is great for your health!
Quick Tips for Walking Safely at Pitt
- Walk your route ahead of time. This way you know how long it will take and if it is a safe way to commute to campus on foot.
- Watch for Port Authority Buses. Buses on Fifth Avenue travel in both directions even though the street is one-way. Always look both ways when crossing the street.
- Dress for the weather! During the warmer months, storms can drop a significant amount of rain very quickly in Pittsburgh. Short-lived flooding is common in the city. A rain jacket is not always enough to keep you dry. We recommend carrying a large umbrella, rain boots, a rain jacket, and if heavy rainfall is expected a pair of rain pants and proper footwear. Of course, you always have the option to ride Port Authority with a valid Pitt ID on those rainy days!
- Oakland is a very popular neighborhood for traffic, cyclists, and other pedestrians. Always walk with your head up, so you can see what is happening around you.
- Don’t forget about the hills! Pittsburgh’s topography can make walking more challenging depending on many factors such as the weather and individual health. There are a lot of great topography apps to help you navigate/avoid those difficult hills.
Walking Safely in Oakland
- Plan your route. Not all routes are convenient, comfortable, or safe when commuting on foot. Use the walk mode on Google Maps to plan your route.
- See and be seen. Never assume a driver can see you – be visible (wear bright colors or reflective clothing).
- Walk on the sidewalk and don’t be distracted! Stay alert and watch for vehicles entering/exiting parking garages/lots and driveways.
- Cross at the crosswalk and use pedestrian traffic controls when available.
- Know Pennsylvania’s pedestrian laws.
- If walking at night, be aware of your surroundings, regardless of where you are, and try to cross streets at well-lit intersections/crosswalks.
- Pitt is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and secure campus. If you do not feel safe walking at night call SafeRider or catch a Pitt shuttle, available to all university students and employees.
- Know where the Blue Light Emergency Phones are located.
- There are more than 500 emergency phones throughout the Pittsburgh campus. Once you press the phone’s red emergency button, it will automatically register your location and connect you directly to Pitt Police.
Walking Escort Pilot Program
- The Walking Escort Pilot Program provides students leaving the Hillman Library between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am with an Allied Universal Security Officer escort. This pilot program is offered through the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.