Leading Transportation Solutions for Pittsburgh’s Airport Corridor
The Airport Corridor Transportation Association (ACTA) is a nonprofit Transportation Management Association (TMA) dedicated to addressing transportation challenges for individuals, businesses, and communities. Based in Robinson Township, part of Pittsburgh’s western suburbs, ACTA serves the business community along the Parkway West, from the western entrance of the Fort Pitt Tunnel through Beaver County. We are one of three TMAs in the Pittsburgh region.
The nation’s first TMAs were created in the early 1980s by groups advocating for local transportation issues and saving money through cooperative service delivery. In the late ’80s, as construction began on the new terminal to expand services at Pittsburgh International Airport, forward-looking business and local municipality leaders in the Airport Corridor wanted to proactively address anticipated traffic congestion from economic development. This partnership among the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Bayer Corporation, and Allegheny County then expanded to local businesses and other area stakeholders who saw the value of organized transportation management, leading to ACTA’s incorporation in 1990.
Today, ACTA is a coalition of private sector businesses and public agencies working together to improve transportation efficiency in Pittsburgh’s Airport Corridor. We support and implement programs that expand travel options, foster economic development, reduce congestion, and improve air quality. ACTA’s on-demand shuttle service, rideACTA, supports over 275 businesses within the Robinson/North Fayette commercial area, providing riders with a guaranteed ride to work from the IKEA Super Stop. Additionally, ACTA provides critical information on construction projects and traffic alerts, serving as a vital communication link regarding traffic maintenance and safety in work zones.
Key Milestones
In the 1990s, ACTA:
– Advocated for the installation of a traffic signal on Cliff Mine Road at the entrance to the RIDC Park after a local policeman was hit by a car and killed while directing traffic. ACTA organized and managed the project, funded by PennDOT and local municipalities.
– Developed and hosted an annual Job Connection fair to connect employers and job seekers by promoting a variety of transportation options.
– Hosted job fairs in partnership with the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.
– Held an annual job fair at Pittsburgh International Airport to support retailers and restaurants in the Air Mall.
– Implemented Corridor Connection, an annual roundtable discussion among area job developers focused on hiring and transportation concerns.
– Established effective, long-standing partnerships with organizations like PennDOT, Port Authority of Allegheny County, Beaver County Transit Authority, Southwestern PA Planning Commission, and the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.
– Created the AirCor circulating mini-bus service in collaboration with Port Authority of Allegheny County.
In the 2000s, ACTA:
– Hosted Western Pennsylvania’s first-ever Drive-Thru Job Fair for the new Mall at Robinson. More than 1,300 job seekers dropped by ACTA’s tent in the parking lot to pick up packets of employment information and applications for participating Mall retailers.
– Sent thousands of construction advisory emails to inform commuters about local road projects.
– Partnered with CareerLink and Goodwill Industries to share space and select staff in the Robinson Town Centre retail area, helping commuters and residents through a one-stop career information shop to “Find a Job and a Way to Work.”
– Advocated for young bicyclists through Bike Safety Fairs, in conjunction with local police and area schools, which featured free bike helmets and fittings, a Bike Rodeo obstacle course, and “bike licenses” for kids.
– Created Airport Corridor Connection, a commuter store offering bus schedules, passes, and transportation-themed gifts.
– Implemented an annual awards program to recognize businesses/agencies that promote improved mobility.
– Conducted the “Commuting in the Corridor” transportation and workforce development study with federal Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) funds to investigate shared-ride services for commuters in the Robinson/North Fayette Commercial Center, recommending increased use of circulating shuttle services.
– Published the “Moving Around Within a Suburban Commercial Area” study, identifying mobility issues in congested areas and proposing practical solutions and expanded transportation options.
– Completed the “Re-Thinking the Suburban Bus Stop” study, funded by a grant from the PA Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Public Transportation, documenting suburban bus stop prototypes to improve transit ridership.
– Began direct shuttle service from the IKEA bus stop – now rideACTA.
– Developed Transportation 101 – a four-hour course for human services providers, including classroom instruction and bus time, to help their clients use public transportation. More than 200 participants were trained in five years through this partnership with the Port Authority, Access, and CommuteInfo.
In the 2010s, ACTA:
– Formed a partnership with IKEA and Robinson Township to design and build, through funding from a competitive PennDOT grant, the Super Stop, the first multi-modal transit stop in the Pittsburgh region.
– Received local, national, and international press coverage for the Super Stop.
– Expanded and improved rideACTA as usage skyrocketed; recognized a 50% increase in ridership from July 2013 – July 2014, with more than 180 businesses served.
– Advocated for and received dedicated state funding for rideACTA in the state Transportation Bill (Act 89). Act 89 will provide 85% of the funds annually, with ACTA securing the remaining 15% from Allegheny County, local businesses, and local municipalities.
– Installed the Airport Corridor’s first bicycle workstation and produced an on-road bike map.
– Developed the area’s first bike map for Apple and Android devices.
– Secured competitive funds and managed the project to re-time traffic signals in the Robinson-North Fayette retail area in collaboration with North Fayette and Robinson townships.
– Launched the Walk Pittsburgh website – with Pittsburgh’s two other TMAs – to promote walking as a viable commuting option.
