Newsletters

Technology has opened the door for cities to adopt new ways to combat congestion in their urban areas. Wayfinding VMS is one solution that is gaining traction by guiding drivers to their destinations quickly and efficiently with the use of data to display messages like traffic conditions and parking availability and pricing. Join us as we take a look at the benefits of Wayfinding VMS and how your city can take advantage of this smart city solution.

When McCain joined the SWARCO family, we were excited to be a part of something bigger - a global family all working to create solutions that promote safety, mobility, and improve the quality of life. Now, we have even more to celebrate as SWARCO celebrates 50 years of buisiness. Together with SWARCO, we aim to create a better way, everyday. Here's to 50 years of SWARCO.

As we embark on 2019, many of us are looking at our goals and creating strategies to complete them. In the traffic industry you might be looking at what projects need to be done to make our streets safer and more efficient. We know procuring government funds can be a daunting process, which is why we took the liberty of putting together some tips to get you started. Join us to see resources, tips and tricks, and how you can make the whole process a lot easier.

Oh what a year it's been for Team McCain! In our annual holiday letter we look back on some of the highlights from 2018. From exciting deployments, to new team members we know we couldn't be where we are today without you. From our team to yours, Happy Holidays!

With winter just around the corner, many agencies are gearing up for power-outages and winter storms which often wreak havoc on our intersections. But with the resurgence of DC current, low-voltage ATC cabinets are making these scenarios more safe for the public and personnel. Learn about the difference between AC and DC current and how one city was able to keep the lights on, even in the midst of a late-season superstorm.

As we move to a more connected environment with technologies like connected vehicles the risk of a cyberattack grows. But there are things that your agency should be doing today to protect and secure their networks. Read on to learn some simple tips and tricks that can keep your agency safe.

ATC cabinets are continuing to make quite a splash in the industry since being introduced to the market. In this special tech edition of The Source we look into the technical aspects of these mighty cabinets.

Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Technology is no longer industry buzz, but a reality that we will soon be facing. So what does all this technology mean and how is it going to impact you? Read on to find out more in this month's edition of "The Source".

Graffiti and other types of vandalism cause more than just eyesores to a city. Often other crimes such as property damage, shoplifting, and even gang violence run rampant in areas with graffiti. In this month's edition of The Source, we look into how cities across the nation are using solutions to not only clean up, but protect and beautify their communities.

Long gone are the days of sitting in traffic, not knowing what or how long the delay is going to be. Tools like Dynamic Message Signs are helping commuters make more informed decisions with up-to-date information being displayed to them. Now as we watch this technology improve, we are seeing more and more uses for DMS. This month we take a look at the technology behind these signs and how they are improving commuter travel with more functionality than ever before.

Books, movies, and even Saturday morning cartoons have long depicted a future complete with jetpacks and flying cars. And while we may be a ways off form the robotic paradise of the Jetsons', CAV technology is rapidly evolving and changing the transportation industry as we know it.

Learn how CAV technology is changing our industry and how you can easily get involved through the SPaT challenge in this months special edition of "The Source".

Boost your signal timing knowledge and rediscover fun facts in this month's edition of "The Source". Join us as we look back at some of our most popular newletters and webinars surrounding the always popular topic of signal timing.

While most of us are just wrapping our heads around the beginning of another year, Team McCain is looking at the hottest industry trends for 2018 in this month's edition of "The Source". Read on to find out how these topics are shaping the traffic industry.

McCain is celebrating the sale of its 500th game-changing ATC Cabinet. This month, we explore the series' advanced safety features and modern technology that has led us down the road to 500, as well as how these cabinets are driving the industry into the next frontier.

Time flies when you're having fun, a sentiment that rings true for us as we celebrate our first year as part of the SWARCO family. Since joining up with the world's foremost authority on all things traffic, some things have changed and many have stayed the same. Join us as we look back at our first year with SWARCO.

Data is an integral part of our everyday lives, driving everything from our Facebook feeds to what we watch on Netflix. So, it should come as no surprise that data plays a key role in transportation as well.

How is data being used and how will it shape the industry moving forward? We're glad you asked.

This special issue of "The Source" marks an exciting milestone for McCain as we celebrate our 30th anniversary.

Take a walk down memory lane as we look back at our humble beginnings, how far we've come, and what the next 30 years may hold for Team McCain.

Traffic lights are such an integral part of our daily lives, however, most of us don't pay a second thought to them. That is unless we are patiently (or impatiently) waiting for a light to turn from red to green.

Let's take a look back at the history of the traffic signal and where it is taking us in the future.

Signs are everywhere. We know them as the often helpful (sometimes annoying) reminders that tell you when to stop, what street you're on, and to slow down. As helpful as these notifications are, signs are becoming so much more.

This month we're focusing on dynamic message signs and how they make viewing and maintaining signs better than ever.

Despite relentless efforts of safety campaigns encouraging the use of crosswalks at intersections, pedestrians continue to cross midblock, particularly when blocks are long and crossing at an intersection extends travel time.

So the question is, if pedestrians are crossing midblock anyway, how do we improve their safety? We're glad you asked.

What a difference a year makes. 2016 moved us in a direction we never dreamed possible. With new products, new deployments, new team members, and new owners, the past year was a transformative one for McCain.

As we take a moment to look back at three of the top things that moved us in 2016, we are thrilled about the possibilities that come with moving forward in 2017.

A man walked into a bar... not the way you'd expect the story of a €582 million company to start, but that is the legend of how SWARCO, one of the world's leading players in road safety and intelligent traffic management and the new proprietors of McCain, was founded.

We could not be more proud to be a part of the SWARCO family of companies.

Sometimes, you have monster intersections that require large, four-door cabinets or even multiple cabinets to house all of your traffic control equipment. But what do you do for smaller intersections?

McCain's Backpack Cabinet complements the revolutionary ATC technology that has dramatically reduced the occupied space within a cabinet and proves that you don't need a shotgun to kill a fly.

In honor of IMSA's (International Municipal Signal Association) 120th anniversary we are paying tribute to the traffic signal and have compiled four of our favorite signal and signal timing newsletters.

Here you'll find a wide variety of topics and fun facts to boost your signal knowledge. And if you're itching to learn more, check out our library of webinars on-demand.

In 2007, America's overall infrastructure received a failing grade. The good news is that the poor report card sparked industry experts to evaluate intersection efficiencies and through those efforts, high-res data collection was born.

This month we take an in depth look at what high-res data is, the benefits of using it, and basic technology requirements.

In February, McCain had the honor of hosting our elite network of distributors - 49 attendees from 20 companies - for a two-day event in Carlsbad, CA.

We set out to equip our distributors to better sell and support the McCain products you've come to love, and through that process we discovered much more. Here are the top 3 themes discovered throughout the meeting.

2016 is underway and we're already off to a great start thanks to the recently signed Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Finally, our transportation needs are no longer being kicked down the proverbial (and crumbling) road and are getting the attention they deserve.

This month we take a closer look at what FAST is and what it has to offer.

Let's face it, we're human and we make mistakes. Unfortunately, when human error happens on our roadways the cost is deadly. In fact, traffic related accidents claim the lives of 1.24 million people around the world each year.

With today's technological capabilities we no longer have to pay this high price for mobility and are taking a stand by embracing the Vision Zero initiative. Here is a look at what Vision Zero is and how it is inspiring US cities.

1976 marked a big year for technology. This was the year the Apple I computer debuted and the first traffic standard was published. Like Apple computers, the traffic cabinet is evolving and is incorporating modern and intelligent technology.

Here we take a closer look at the revolutionary ATC Cabinet, its modern features, and how one agency is benefiting.

In May 2014 wildfires erupted across San Diego County. At the height of the firestorm, eight fires burned simultaneously. The most destructive of the fires forced the evacuations of 22,432 homes and businesses.

Now a year later, we're looking back on the success achieved by the City of Carlsbad, and covering what you need to know when managing traffic during a disaster.

We've all been there, cursing brake lights and pulling out our hair due to poor signal timing. Despite, or sometimes on account of, our intricate knowledge of signal timing, we too get stressed and frustrated when stuck in traffic.

In this month's issue of The Source, we take a look at congestion and one tool gaining popularity among agencies nationwide - central traffic management software.

Have you done a search for what's trending in the world of traffic cabinets? If you haven't, give it a try. And if you have, well you probably found what we did, not much! Which leaves you wondering, what's trending?

We took the liberty of gathering those trends for you and compiled what we are calling the Three Traffic Cabinet Trends You Can't Afford to Ignore, check it out!

Considered a fine art by some and a pain in the neck by others, signal timing and coordination involves sophisticated optimization models, algorithms, and a complex roadway infrastructure. But, the reality is, most people only truly care about signal timing when their light is red.

So, here are a few fun facts and FAQs to help you better understand that cursed red light.

Imagine leaving work in a car summoned with a cell phone. The car starts and instead of putting the car into gear, you read your tablet and catch up on the day's news - you don't have to pay attention because your car is driving for you!

This idea is not too far from reality, in fact, it's currently one of the hottest transportation topics. To get you up to speed, we've complied a shortlist what you need to know, check it out!

We can't help it, we get excited about the New Year! A new year means a fresh start and brings with it the question, "what does the future hold for the transportation industry?

We have thought about it and know you have too, which is why we've compiled this list of the top three transportation trends to keep an eye on in 2015, check it out.

Between the clanging of machines, the clacking of keyboards, and bouncing from one meeting to the next, things are moving full steam ahead at McCain. From great products, to new talent, and a reinvigorated outlook, it has been a year for the record books.

Join us for a walk down memory lane as we highlight some of our greatest achievements in 2014.