SAN DIEGO, California, Sep. 19, 2019 - McCain, Inc., a leader in the supply of intelligent transportation solutions for safety and mobility and a member of the global SWARCO family, announced an agreement with the City of Oceanside, California to deploy the company’s OPTIPARK® Parking Guidance System (PGS), In a move that underscores the City of Oceanside’s commitment to Smart City technologies, the system will be installed in the City’s only free, major parking garage in the downtown area.

OPTIPARK captures data through cameras and sensors, then delivers crucial parking availability and location information to drivers, traffic managers and third-party vendors. It is a particularly appropriate solution in Oceanside where metered street parking has been reduced recently by downtown improvement and construction, yet the free garage with 500-plus spaces remains underutilized. With OPTIPARK, drivers can check parking availability on the city’s website before they even leave their homes. As they approach the garage, they’ll see vibrant McCain Variable Message Signs (VMS) with real-time information on available spaces and once inside, signage will direct them to open parking spots.

OPTIPARK Parking Guidance System provides cities with a compelling alternative to the single-space systems or less accurate magnetic loop technology, thereby filling a gap that has long been missing in the parking guidance industry. McCain’s solution uses camera-based detection at critical decision points, applying object recognition and path tracking to accurately identify the number of open spaces on any floor of a parking facility including on or near ramps, typically a challenge for competing systems. OPTIPARK can also be configured to provide accurate, long-term use data allowing communities to optimize parking over time. As with other McCain solutions, OPTIPARK is scalable and can operate independently or be fully integrated into a community-wide traffic system.

Installation of the OPTIPARK PGS system will commence in the fourth quarter of 2019, incorporating McCain’s full-color Variable Message Signs (VMS), powered by SWARCO technology at the garage entrance and on each level of the facility. In keeping with McCain’s commitment to green technology and efficiency, the VMS signs require only 5% of the power-draw of opposing equipment and use SWARCO’s precision-optic lenses for a display of unprecedented clarity and brightness.

According to McCain Chief Operating Officer Greg McKhann, OPTIPARK will dramatically improve the driver experience in Oceanside. “We all know that the search for parking can be the most frustrating part of any trip, particularly when you’re not familiar with the territory,” he said. “OPTIPARK will streamline the parking process in Oceanside and even contribute to the city’s economic vitality. Visitors will no longer have to circle the block looking for parking but rather, be able to spend their time and money enjoying the beach, shops and restaurants that help define the community.”

The City of Oceanside’s agreement continues a long-standing relationship between McCain and the community. The city is respected as a leader in efficient utilization of traffic technology and was an early adopter of McCain’s Transparity^® Traffic Management System (TMS). “With a mix of visitors and locals, Oceanside is embracing technology solutions to address its unique traffic issues,” said McKhann. “We are excited to grow our relationship and to help the city become an example of how to manage traffic efficiently and economically.”

About McCain Inc.
McCain, Inc. creates intelligent transportation solutions and traffic control equipment to promote safer, more mobile and livable communities. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the SWARCO Group, the San Diego-based transportation technology firm provides high-quality products and services to optimize signalized intersections, improving safety and quality of life for all road users. McCain’s innovative solutions are paving the way to the future by creating the next generation of smart city solutions and helping to prepare the infrastructure for connected and autonomous vehicles.

 For more information, visit www.mccain-inc.com or Twitter @mccain_inc.

About SWARCO
SWARCO is a global transportation technology leader dedicated to making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient, and environmentally sound. Headquartered in Austria, the SWARCO family celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2019, honoring its expansive portfolio of urban and interurban traffic control, parking, public transport, and street lighting. SWARCO’s livable and smart city solutions include cooperative systems, infrastructure-to-vehicle communications, electromobility, and integrated software solutions. With solutions in 70 countries and more than 3,700 team members, SWARCO is leading the effort to shift conventional transportation management into the digital age. For more information, visit www.swarco.com or Twitter @SWARCO_AG

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