Travel and Logistics

As you make your travel arrangements, please remember that the optional workshop sessions will begin at 2:15 on Monday, June 30, in the Space Research Coordination Center and Thaw Hall. We will gather informally for a reception in the William Pitt Union (WPU) Assembly room, at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner. The main workshop program will begin on Monday evening at 7:00 pm, still in the William Pitt Union (WPU) Assembly room. The workshop will conclude Wednesday evening, July 2, and optional sessions will end by noon on Thursday, July 3.

Travel

Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the workshop.

Arriving by Air

Pittsburgh is served by Pittsburgh International Airport. It is approximately 30-40 minutes by car from the University campus in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. Shuttle and taxi service is available from the airport to campus. The SuperShuttle costs ~$25 each way. Bus transport from the Pittsburgh Airport is also available.

Arriving by Personal Vehicle

Driving directions to the University of Pittsburgh are available from the University's website (see campus map below - the workshop venue is southwest of the Admissions Office).

Parking

• Map for workshop parking at University of Pittsburgh - Parking is available for a fee.
• If you will commute daily to campus, use the Panther Hollow surface lot (symbol PH in section G-4 of the map). Parking is $4/day, and you can pay at the lot. The lot is open 6am-10pm with an attendant present until 6pm daily.
• If you are driving to the workshop and staying in campus housing, use the Soldiers and Sailors covered garage (symbol SO in section E-2 of the map). Parking is $14/day, and you can pay at the lot. Note: access to/from the garage is closed between 12am-6am. It is approximately a 10 minute walk to the apartments from the parking garage.
• For alternate parking options, you may want to check out http://bestparking.com.

Finding your Way Around Campus

• Map of University of Pittsburgh campus (Acrobat (PDF) 101kB Feb25 14).
• Workshop lodging is at Bouquet Gardens Apartments Unit J (symbol BQGRS in section E-4 of the map).
• Optional sessions on Monday will be in the Space Research Coordination Center and Thaw Hall (symbol SRCC and THAW in section D-2 of the map)
• Optional sessions on Thursday will be in the Sennott Square building (symbol SENSQ in section D/E 3/4 on the map)
• We'll be eating some meals at the Litchfield Towers Dining Hall (symbol TOWRS, section D/E-3 of the map)
• Main sessions will be at the William Pitt Union (symbol WPU section E-3 of the map).

Accommodations

You will be staying on campus in the Bouquet Gardens Apartments - unit J. A security guard will be stationed at the apartment entrance, and you will need to state your name and show photo ID to obtain a key card for access to the apartments. Check out is at 2 pm. The apartments are air-conditioned, and each apartment consists of 3 or 4 single private bedrooms, two shared bathrooms, a kitchenette, living room, and dining area. Each participant will receive a linen package, which includes one set of bed sheets, a towel, and a washcloth. No other "hotel amenities" (alarm clock, desk lamp, coffee maker, hair dryer, toiletries, etc.) are provided. All rooms are non-smoking.

You will share an apartment with either 4 private single bedrooms and 2 shared bathrooms or 3 private single bedrooms with 1 shared bathroom. If you wish to have an apartment to yourself, you may request one on a first-come, first-served basis at the additional cost of $70.00 per night for a total of $210.00 surcharge for the 3 nights of the workshop.

There will be a security officer at the apartments who can assist with check-in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are running tight on time and plan to attend an optional Monday afternoon session, you can go directly to that session (with your luggage in tow).

On-Site Logistics

Workshop Registration

Workshop registration will be held on Monday, June 30, from 1-6 PM in the Space Research Coordination Center (symbol SRCC on the campus map (Acrobat (PDF) 101kB Feb25 14)) and from 7-8:45 PM at the William Pitt Union Assembly Room. If you arrive after the Monday evening program due to travel delays, you may check in for the workshop at the first session on Tuesday morning in the William Pitt Union.

Meals

Breakfast (for those staying in the apartments) and lunch (for all participants) will be cafeteria style at Litchfield Towers. Dinners will be a mix of cafeteria-style and catered. Vegetarian options are available at all meals. Other dietary restrictions can be accommodated if you indicate them on the workshop registration form).

Frequently Asked Questions

Internet Access

Wireless internet will be provided during the workshop.

What to Wear

Dress for the workshop is casual. Please be prepared for cool air conditioned buildings and hot outdoor temperatures. Average temperatures in July in Pittsburgh range from 61 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Check the Pittsburgh weather forecast prior to your departure, and pack accordingly.