California Department of Transportation and SWARCO McCain, partner on a brighter future with McCain CMS 800 Changeable Message Signs
SAN DIEGO, California, April 13, 2023 - SWARCO McCain, a leader in the supply of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), has today announced that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has renewed its partnership for the supply of its industry standard-setting Changeable Message Signs.
SWARCO McCain’s CMS 800 Series of Changeable Message Signs are uniquely NEMA TS4-compliant and provide pertinent roadside information and warnings to en route motorists through high-quality, full-color LED displays. Strategically placed, these signs improve overall traffic flow and commuter safety. Commonly used CMS applications include safety information near airports and major venues, data regarding road closures or detours, direction and availability of carpool lanes or toll roads, advisory phone numbers, and general alerts.
Dean Campbell, Caltrans Chief at the Office of Systems Development says, “SWARCO McCain has been an essential partner in developing a timely replacement for the CMS 700. SWARCO McCain delivered on all the stringent structural, environmental, and controller communications requirements. The CMS 800 signs increase the message contrast and visibility, which helps effectively communicate safety information for all road travelers.”
Justin Sigel, Director of Signs at SWARCO McCain, Inc, adds, "The CMS 800 is a vast improvement from the already successful CMS 600 and CMS 700 signs developed jointly with Caltrans. The CMS 800 has the lowest total cost of ownership, thanks to extremely low power consumption and interchangeable field service assemblies. Best of all, the CMS 800 is also available in states outside of California."
Among the CMS 800’s enhanced features are SWARCO's patented Precision Optics lens technology and integrated surface-mount 3-in-1 RGB LEDs, which provide exceptional visibility. Additionally, the signs offer the lowest meantime before failure and require the lowest maintenance levels of any changeable message sign in the industry, plus their 110/120 VAC, 60 Hz internal power supply means exceptionally low energy consumption and low operational costs.
Other unique selling propositions of the CMS 800 series include:
- Interchangeable/standardized service assemblies ensure minimal downtime and rapid service;
- Reduced operating costs due to low power consumption;
- Real-time communications to operators of live sign/message status;
- Live status of critical operational alarms: door opening, temperature, and humidity;
- Real-time sign diagnostics and full pixel feedback; and
- Precision Optics lens technology provides reduced glare and exceptional message contrast and visibility
About SWARCO McCain, Inc.
San Diego-based transportation technology firm SWARCO McCain Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and traffic control products to promote increased roadway safety, improved traffic efficiency, and more sustainable communities.
Part of the SWARCO Group since 2016, an Austrian-headquartered global leader in ITS and road marking systems with 5,300 traffic experts serving business partners in 80+ countries, SWARCO McCain, Inc. helps improve quality of life by making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient, and environmentally sound.
About the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is an executive department of the State of California. The department was founded in 1972 and is part of the cabinet-level California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). Caltrans is headquartered in Sacramento, and manages the State's highway system that includes the California Freeway and Expressway System. Caltrans supports public transportation systems throughout the State.
For administrative purposes, Caltrans divides the State of California into 12 districts, supervised by district offices. Most districts cover multiple counties; District 12 (Orange County) is the only district with one county. The largest districts by population are District 4 (San Francisco Bay Area) and District 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura counties). As of 2020 Caltrans employed just under 20,000 people and had an annual budget of US$17 billion.
