The City of Pittsburgh released its 2070 Mobility Vision Plan Thursday, giving a glimpse into what transportation could look like in the city in 50 years.
Department of Mobility and Infrastructure director Karina Ricks called the plan "ambitious" with features like aerial gondolas, an urban terminal for vertical take-off and landing aircraft and high-speed intercity transit.
Ricks also said the plan accounts for population growth in Pittsburgh and more reliance on public transportation.
"In the last 50 years, our investments have glided toward automobile mobility, but I think we can agree that we don't want 200,000 more automobiles in our city," she said. "We need to find more sustainable ways to travel."
City officials believe the plan meets today's needs while planning for needs of the future and the impact of climate change.
While bold ideas in the plan include new ways to reach destinations in other states and countries, Ricks says she also wanted to see more accessible transportation at home.
"We owe it to the rest of the region to provide swift, convenient ways to get between the many boroughs all around the city into this economic heart," she said.
Shorter-term investments include accessible sidewalks, a complete and connected bike(+) network and green infrastructure street retrofits.
The City says several ideas in the plan were generated from public engagement.
“When we think about Pittsburgh, we think about innovation and that includes our transportation and mobility networks,” said Mayor William Peduto. “After working with the community to define their vision for the future of transportation in Pittsburgh, DOMI has outlined a strategic path forward of what could be possible in the next five, 20 and 50-years.”