SAN DIEGO, California, Sep. 13, 2019 - McCain, Inc., a leader in the supply of advanced intelligent transportation solutions for safety and mobility, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the SWARCO Group, today announced that the company has been chosen to deploy a fully integrated OPTIPARK® Parking Guidance System (PGS) in the City of Pleasant Hill, CA. The system will be installed at a parking garage located in one of largest shopping districts in the area, continuing McCain’s expansion into Silicon Valley, an area widely known for its acceptance of innovation. The OPTIPARK system was selected for its accuracy in capturing parking space data through cameras and software and being able to disseminate that information to third parties or through city/vendor apps and websites. Installation and integration will begin immediately and will be complete by the end of 2019.

McCain, Inc., was selected by Vestar, a leading retail and entertainment destination property management group in the western United States that runs the Downtown Pleasant Hill shopping district and its associated City of Pleasant Hill parking garage. Located at the corner of Boyd Road and Contra Costa Boulevard, the parking facility offers 662 parking spaces and currently has a legacy magnetic loop parking system that requires frequent maintenance.

Vestar’s parking partner, Walker Consultants, reviewed multiple parking guidance solutions for this prestigious downtown project. After the selection was awarded, McCain Parking Product Manager, Niko Stieldorf, said “We believe that they selected OPTIPARK PGS because of the accuracy of the system and the elegant simplicity of its installation. Clearly using cameras and software that can tie into the existing security system and web sites was an advantage. This system will help improve the customer experience which is at the very heart of the retail shopping business. Providing an environment at the Pleasant Hill shopping district that really gives the user a wonderful experience and takes the stress out of trying to find parking will result in a more contented customer, which opens up more business opportunities for retail clients, ensuring their long-term success as well.”

McCain’s OPTIPARK PGS provides motorists with parking guidance while providing parking facility operators with a compelling alternative compared to single-space systems or older, less accurate technology, like magnetic loops. McCain uses camera-based detection at critical decision points that apply object recognition and path tracking to accurately identify open spaces on any floor of a parking facility, including on or near ramps which is more difficult for other systems.

This highly accurate vehicular data is collected and analyzed by OPTIPARK Software, which can then share space availability anywhere, including apps, websites, business intelligence tools and variable message signs throughout a community. The software and its data sharing capabilities are fully scalable, meaning more facilities or a community’s traffic system information can be integrated to create a citywide parking guidance system.

Integration with parking solutions like McCain’s OPTIPARK® Parking Guidance System (PGS) enables synchronization between parking events and signal operations. OPTIPARK provides motorists with parking guidance while providing parking facility operators with compelling low-cost alternatives compared to single-space systems.

As part of the contract with Vestar, McCain will be supplying full-color Variable Message Signs (VMS), powered by SWARCO technology, at all garage entrances and on each level for motorist wayfinding purposes, saving drivers time finding an open space. In keeping with McCain’s commitment to green technology and efficiency, the VMS signs require only 5% of the power-draw of opposing equipment, which is less power than it takes to run a personal hair dryer and features SWARCO’s precision-optic lenses for a display of unprecedented clarity and brightness.

The McCain OPTIPARK experience can begin at home, with users reviewing a parking web site for available space information that will allow them to make an informed decision on the mode of transportation that works best for their trip. Once they are in the downtown parking environment, the large McCain VMS signs at the entrance and inside the garage will point them to the nearest open space, reducing wasted time, emissions and circling for parking which is widely accepted as a significant factor in urban congestion.

Greg McKhann, Chief Operating Officer for McCain, said, “We are thrilled to have been chosen for this project as it highlights our growing portfolio of Smart City solutions that not only play well with other systems, but continue to improve the quality of life for people.”

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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