Value Energy Solutions Selected By Lanier Parking for Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit

 Value Energy Solutions, one of the largest lighting installation and lighting retrofit companies in the nation, recently completed a large lighting retrofit project for AT &T at in the Lindbergh Center located in the prestigious Buckhead Office market. Lindbergh Center, the first transit-oriented mixed use development in Atlanta, features two fourteen story office towers that are adjacent to the Lindbergh MARTA Station. The Lindbergh Center parking decks are managed by Atlanta based, Lanier Parking Solutions, the largest parking management company in the Southeast.

Lanier Parking contacted Value Energy Solutions to determine what energy savings they could achieve by replacing and updating the lighting in their two enclosed parking decks. Value Energy Solutions completed a thorough analysis of the existing parking deck lighting and AT&T’s energy saving goals Value Energy Solutions recommended retrofitting the parking decks with over one eleven hundred 2-Lamp T-5 54wHO (high output) Vapor Tight Fluorescent lights. Lanier Parking selected a 40,000 hour (extended life) rated lamp to maximize their energy savings and reduce lighting maintenance costs.

AT&T has made energy savings and sustainability a significant corporate priority. They have established an Energy Scorecard to benchmark energy savings at all of their major facilities. A major focus of these facility improvements has been upgrading lighting and HVAC systems. The estimated energy savings from the Lindbergh Center lighting retrofit is an impressive 43% and the cost of the lighting upgrade will pay for itself in less than three years with an ROI of 34%. 

Value Energy Solutions and Lanier Parking considered numerous relighting options and discovered the best lighting retrofit solutionwas using new fluorescent lighting technology. The Vapor Tight Reflector Series Linear Fluorescent fixtures used in the Lindbergh Center retrofit is the pinnacle of Vapor Tight Luminaries. They utilize T-5 lamping which provides better energy efficiency and equal or superior lumen output. 

About Value Energy Solutions- Value Energy Solutions is one of the largest energy efficient lighting retrofitting companies in the United States. Realizing the need for building owners, property managers and facility engineers to find ways to conserve energy and cut their operating costs, Value Energy Solutions provides improved energy efficient lighting products as replacements for existing higher wattage fixtures. Value Energy Solutions was launched as a new venture by owners Dean Nations and Alan Carlquist as an expansion of their existing company, Value Lighting, Inc., a premier lighting wholesaler and distributor of lighting products.

The Value Energy Solutions lighting retrofit programs are offered for all commercial building types including Parking Garages, Warehouse/Industrial Buildings, Hotels, Retail Chains, Apartments and Office Buildings. For information on Value Energy Solutions please call Chris Owens, Director of Sales at 770.335.0909. Value Energy Solutions is located at 1110 Allgood Industrial Court, Marietta, GA 30066. To request more information please call or email at chris@valueenergysolutions.com

About Lanier Parking-Lanier Parking Holdings, LLC founded in 1989 is a diversified holding concern whose companies provide parking and transportation management services for hospital, commercial class "A" office buildings, hotels, worldwide events, sports stadiums, restaurants, theaters, entertainment complexes and convention venues throughout the US. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Lanier Parking Solutions is the largest provider of parking and related transportation services in the Southeast, with more than three hundred facilities in 48 cities.

Lanier Parking Solutions' emphasis on customer and quality service has allowed Lanier to grow and thrive in a very competitive environment. In addition to parking garage management, Lanier Parking provides consulting services to building owners and facility managers, innovative payment systems, construction, design and financing services and alternative transportation, traffic congestion and indoor air quality solutions.

For more information please call Joe Wenderoth at (404) 881-6076 or visit their website- www.lanierparking.com

Value Energy Solutions Completes Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit

Panama City, FL. (October 28, 2010) Value Energy Solutions recently completed a large parking garage lighting retrofit project for Laketown Wharf in Panama City Beach, Florida. Value Energy Solutions, one of the largest lighting installation and lighting retrofit companies in the nation, has been active in a number of recent lighting retrofit assignments.  Laketown Wharf is one of the newest vacation condominium resort communities located in the heart of Panama City Beach. Lighting is central to the many amenities available to guests at Laketown Wharf. The resort is known for its signature water feature -- a massive lighted fountain within its namesake lake, choreographed with dancing water, lights, and music. 

 Laketown Wharf contacted Value Energy Solutions to explore replacing and updating the lighting in their two enclosed parking garages. Value Energy Solutions thoroughly reviewed the existing parking garage lighting and the Laketown Wharf energy saving goals. Originally, the parking garage lighting was the less energy efficient 175 watt Metal Halide Lights. Value Energy Solutions recommended retrofitting the parking garages with 447  2-Lamp 54wHO (high output) Vapor Tight Fluorescent lights. Laketown Wharf selected a 40,000 hour (extended life) rated lamp to maximize their energy savings and reduce lighting maintenance costs.

The projected energy savings for the lighting retrofit project is an impressive 47% and the cost of the lighting upgrade will pay for itself in only 24 months. Value Energy Solutions and Laketown Wharf considered numerous relighting options including LED lights in the parking garages. They discovered a better lighting retrofit solution was using new fluorescent lighting technology. Unlike many lighting companies that offer only one lighting product, Value Energy Solutions works with more than 250 lighting manufactures to provide their customers with the right solution at lower price point.

The Vapor Tite Reflector Series Linear Fluorescent fixtures offered by Value Energy Solutions utilizes T5 Lamping provides energy efficiency and displays equal or superior lumen output. VTR Luminary features include:

·        Proven technology, refined to be more efficient than fluorescents of the past

·        T5 Lamps—most energy efficient lighting technology in the fluorescent lighting industry for the cost.

·        Surface mounted or may be suspended from ceiling

·        Reflector series to maximize light disbursement

·        Polycarbonate materials which means corrosion, flame and vandal resistant

·        Ideal for parking structures, warehouses, breezeways, canopies and schools

About Value Energy Solutions- Value Energy Solutions is one of the largest energy efficient lighting retrofitting companies in the United States. Realizing the need for building owners, property managers and facility engineers to find ways to conserve energy and cut their operating costs, Value Energy Solutions provides improved energy efficient lighting products as replacements for existing higher wattage fixtures. Value Energy Solutions was launched as a new venture by owners Dean Nations and Alan Carlquist as an expansion of their existing company, Value Lighting, Inc., a premier lighting wholesaler and distributor of lighting products.

The Value Energy Solutions lighting retrofit programs are offered for all commercial building types including Parking Garages, Warehouse/Industrial Buildings, Hotels, Retail Chains, Apartments and Office Buildings. For information on Value Energy Solutions please call Chris Owens, Director of Sales at 770.874.2191. Value Energy Solutions is located at 1110 Allgood Industrial Court, Marietta, GA 30066. To request more information please call or email at info@valueenergysolutions.com.

Gables Midtown Apartments Completes Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit

Value Energy Solutions recently completed a parking garage lighting retrofit project for the Gables Midtown Apartments in Atlanta, GA. Value Energy Solutions is one of the largest lighting installation and lighting retrofit companies in the nation.  For the past 30 years they have provided multifamily owners, developers and property managers with turnkey lighting solutions that exceed customer expectations and reduce lighting and energy costs. Gables Midtown is one of the newest apartment communities in the Morningside/ Ansley Park neighborhood of Atlanta and offers residents numerous amenities including Earthcraft and Energy Star certified apartments.

 Gables Midtown management is proud of their focus on energy efficiency and water conservation features. When it was time to upgrade the energy efficiency of their parking garage lighting they contacted Value Energy Solutions. Value Energy Solutions thoroughly reviewed the existing parking garage lighting and the Gables Midtown energy saving goals. Originally, the parking deck lighting was the less energy efficient 175 watt Metal Halide Lights. Value Energy Solutions recommended retrofitting the parking deck with 2-Lamp 54wHO (high output) Vapor Tight Fluorescent lights. Gables Residential selected a 46,000 hour (extended life) rated lamp to maximize their energy savings and reduce lighting maintenance costs.

The projected energy savings for the lighting retrofit project is an impressive 47% and the cost of the lighting upgrade will pay for itself in only 17 months. Originally, Gables Midtown was considering using LED lights in the parking garage but Value Energy Solutions was able to offer a more cost efficient lighting retrofit program using new fluorescent lighting technology. Unlike many lighting companies that offer only one lighting product, Value Energy Solutions works with more than 250 lighting manufactures to provide their customers with the right solution at lower price point.

The Vapor Tite Reflector Series Linear Fluorescent fixtures offered by Value Energy Solutions utilizes T5 Lamping provides energy efficiency and displays equal or superior lumen output. VTR Luminary features include:

·        Proven technology, refined to be more efficient than fluorescents of the past

·        T5 Lamps—most energy efficient lighting technology in the fluorescent lighting industry for the cost.

·        Surface mounted or may be suspended from ceiling

·        Reflector series to maximize light disbursement

·        Polycarbonate materials which means corrosion, flame and vandal resistant

·        Ideal for parking structures, warehouses, breezeways, canopies and schools

About Value Energy Solutions- Value Energy Solutions is one of the largest energy efficient lighting retrofitting companies in the United States. Realizing the need for building owners, property managers and facility engineers to find ways to conserve energy and cut their operating costs, Value Energy Solutions provides improved energy efficient lighting products as replacements for existing higher wattage fixtures. Value Energy Solutions was launched as a new venture by owners Dean Nations and Alan Carlquist as an expansion of their existing company, Value Lighting, Inc., a premier lighting wholesaler and distributor of lighting products.

The Value Energy Solutions lighting retrofit programs are offered for all commercial building types including Parking Garages, Warehouse/Industrial Buildings, Hotels, Retail Chains, Apartments and Office Buildings. For information on Value Energy Solutions please call Chris Owens, Director of Sales at 770.874.2191. Value Energy Solutions is located at 1110 Allgood Industrial Court, Marietta, GA 30066. To request more information please call or email at info@valueenergysolutions.com.

About Gables Residential

With a mission of Taking Care of the Way People Live, Gables Residential has received national recognition for excellence in the management, development, acquisition and construction of luxury multi-family communities in high job growth markets.  Gables Residential owns, develops and manages multi-family communities and mixed-use developments in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, South Florida, Southern California, and metropolitan Washington, D.C.  Additionally, it has third-party management operations in the Chicago, New York, Boston, Phoenix, Central and North Florida, and Washington State markets. Gables Residential enjoys a healthy portfolio with approximately 38,000 apartment homes under management, including a corporate-owned portfolio of 63 stabilized communities comprising approximately 16,000 apartment homes.  An additional 2 communities are under development/lease-up, comprising approximately 400 apartment homes.  Gables also has the ability to develop another 4,000 apartment homes through its shadow pipeline of undeveloped land owned. For more information please visit www.gables.com.

Green Garages Using New Technology

Why would a parking garage be eligible for LEED certification when the goal is get rid of cars in cities?


It turns out that as much as 30% of the congestion in major cities is caused by cars circling and idling while they search for parking. Cities would have lots less cars driving around if they didn't have to look for spaces, leaving more room for public transport, walking, bicycling and just breathing better air.

The time consuming practice of circling city blocks or driving up and down garage ramps searching for open parking spaces frustrates drivers, wastes gas and contributes to global warming and deteriorating air quality. Parking lots and garages also takes up a lot of space - a Facebook page devoted to parking in Columbus, Ohio points out that 233 acres or 24% of the city's developable land is consumed by parking lots.



One solution is automated parking garages, which VLF Development LLC is about to pioneer in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. Its Green ParkTM Eco Garage will be the first LEED-Gold certified parking facility in the U.S. Its patented automated parking system will double or triple the number of cars that can be parked with a smaller footprint than traditional garages.

Although there's an on-site attendant for customer assistance, a robotic system is in charge of parking the cars. Because it's fully automated, there's no need to heat, cool or light the building interior, except in the welcoming ground level receiving area. Since cars aren't driven into parking spaces, there are no emissions - the automated system uses only 125 amps of electricity with a natural gas backup generator.



The system is monitored by video cameras from a centralized command center. Except for the driver, no human hands touch the car, which prevents vehicle damage, car break-ins and theft. Parking, retrieval and payment are all handled at street level in a secure receiving area. The entire parking and retrieval process takes about two minutes. And unlike metered street parking, drivers can leave their cars in the facility all day.

When it opens next year, VLF plans to introduce an electronic network infrastructure that integrates with smart-phone technology and other enhanced communications tools, enabling drivers to reserve spots ahead of time through their Green ParkTM reservation system.

Beyond greening their core service, the garage is constructed with recycled materials, uses efficient lighting and buys its energy from renewable energy sources. It also has a green roof which collects rainwater and reduces heat in the building.

Although LEED certification is new to parking garages, automation is being used in 40 countries in Europe, China and the US. There are about 400,000 automated parking spaces.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.feature/id/1826

Launch of United States Green Parking Council

 The United States Green Parking Council (USGPC), a nonprofit organization encouraging new, alternative parking practices, formally announced its nominated board of directors at a recent event on May 11th, during the International Parking Institute Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event marked the launch of the nonprofit’s mission to provide leadership and oversight for the green conversion of parking facilities to sustainable, environmentally responsible assets.  The USGPC’s nominated board of directors is comprised of executives from a diverse set of businesses and organizations including:


• Kathy Burnett, Simon Property Group
• Laura Longsworth, Brookfield Properties
• Robin Dean, Macerich
• Watson Collins, Northeast Utilities
• Matt Cahill, Towne Park
• Pamela Brown, Standard Parking
• John Schmid, Propark America
• Kevin Shrier, The Parking Spot
• Alan Lazowski, LAZ Parking
• Dr. Greg Norman, Powder River Holdings
• Brendan Fox, The Law Offices of Jay Malcynsky
• Marc Alt, Marc Alt + Partners
• David Allen, University of Maryland College Park


The businesses represented on the USGPC’s Board of Directors share a commitment to raising awareness regarding the significance of green garage practices.  “Through its Certified Green Garage rating system, the USGPC will encourage new, alternative parking practices and an imperative industry transformation,” says Marc Alt, a social innovation strategist, and one of USGPC’s newly appointed board nominees.  “As an entrepreneur, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of projects focusing on clean technology and sustainable design.  The Certified Green Garage rating system marks the first nationwide effort to encourage parking garage owners to transition their assets into a strategic part of the new clean energy economy.  This certification drastically reduces the parking industry’s carbon footprint through energy efficiency measures, green building innovations and retrofits.  It also positions parking garages to stay competitive during the global transition to electric vehicles and other alternate forms of mobility.”

Certified Green Garage is a voluntary rating system for developing and retrofitting sustainable parking facilities.  The Green Garage Certification process, in conjunction with the USPGC, provides standards for environmentally sustainable parking operations and services.  Parking companies and facilities recognized for their utilization level of the rating system are permitted to display and use the organization’s registered service mark, indicating they have passed the accreditation review as determined by the USGPC.

At a USGPC scheduled corporation meeting on June 10th, nominees will be confirmed to serve on the board of directors for a one-year term beginning July 1st, 2010.  Agenda items will include a discussion of a key USGPC objective; to extend the existing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to over ten-thousand charging units, in advance of demand.  This will provide EV owners with an array of attractive parking destinations and reduce battery range anxiety.  The USGPC plans to endorse and encourage free EV charging stations at garage properties nationwide in support of its “Charge Cars, Not People tm” initiative.

“The average consumer is bombarded with dozens of ads, billboards and commercials promoting green initiatives,” says Alt.  “It can be difficult, at times, to gauge a company’s level of commitment to the environment.  The Green Garage Certification will eliminate uncertainty for commuters seeking an environmentally conscientious parking garage.”

About USGPC:

The United States Green Parking Council (USGPC) is a nonprofit organization providing leadership and oversight for the green conversion of parking facilities to sustainable, environmentally responsible assets.  The USGPC is dedicated to expanding green parking practices and environmental services through its Certified Green Garage rating system.  The USGPC encourages new, alternative parking practices and exceptional industry transformation through creative thought and ingenuity.

Redbird LED Linear Lighting Products Receive Important ETL Certification

Redbird LED announces that Intertek has tested their products and awarded their LED linear lights the ETL Mark.

Atlanta, Georgia (June 28, 2010) – Redbird LED, an Atlanta, GA. firm that specializes in the design, manufacturing and distribution of energy efficient LED linear lighting products for industrial and commercial applications announced today that it has received the ETL Listing Mark for their products. The complete family of Cardinal™ brand linear lights, including a variety of lengths, color temperatures, and wattages are now certified to UL standards 1993, 1598, 1598(B), and 8750.  These lights have an internal power supply and this listing confirms that the Cardinal™ lights are certified for retrofits of existing fluorescent light tubes. Because Cardinal™ linear lights use the same shape and form factor as fluorescent tubes, old fixtures can updated to LED by simply bypassing the ballast and installing Redbird LED linear lights.

The ETL Mark is an independent certification that Redbird LED products meet all national safety requirements. Moreover, the ETL Mark indicates that Redbird LED’s production facility conforms to tight production standards and will be continually validated with regularly scheduled inspections.

Intertek, the organization that provides the ETL Mark, is an internationally recognized testing laboratory recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to test products to the specifications of applicable product safety standards – such as those from
Underwriters Laboratories (UL™) and other testing organizations. With this ETL listing Redbird LED becomes one of the few U.S. based LED companies with products that are certified to UL standards 1993, 1598, 1598(B), and 8750.

“We are excited that our LED linear lighting products have successfully completed the ETL testing at Intertek,” said Jonathan Eppstein, President of Redbird LED. “Having this certification opens the doors to many new opportunities for our LED linear lighting products and provides an important differentiation between our LED linear products and those of our competitors. This is an important step in our growth to become a leading provider of value priced high performance LED lighting.”

About Redbird LED- Redbird LED Inc. is led by an experienced team of senior executives with strong backgrounds in operations, electrical, optical and mechanical engineering. The Redbird LED team includes licensed Professional Engineers (PEs), LEED accredited professionals, LC certified lighting designers, and an operations team with decades of experience in the design and operation of high volume, automated, electronic device manufacturing. Redbird LED is committed to providing its customers quality LED lighting products and systems for both new construction and retrofits of fluorescents, metal halide and incandescent systems.
In addition to manufacturing and selling LED lights and luminaires, Redbird LED provides lighting design services, lighting cost analysis, and has the ability to produce custom luminaires in their in-house fabrication facilities. For more information please call (678) 733-2473 or visit the website www.redbirdled.com. Redbird LED Inc. is located at 1202 Gail Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, in Dekalb County, metropolitan Atlanta.

Media Contact: John Davis, Panorama Press- (678) 391-9134.
Panorama Press is an Atlanta based online marketing communications firm specializing in public relations, web development, search engine optimization and lead generation strategies.

The Labor Department has cut energy consumption in its headquarters parking garage by 75 percent through a pilot project that's testing a state-of-the-art lighting system.

Labor has replaced a portion of its existing high-pressure sodium lighting system with 19 light-emitting diode (LED) lamps manufactured by Philips Wide-Lite of San Marcos, Texas. The LED lamps use 50 percent less energy than the older lights while operating at full power; Labor has achieved additional savings by using motion detectors to dim the lights when the parking garage is empty.

Labor collaborated with the Energy Department on the pilot project, which was scheduled to be unveiled at a news conference June 28.

announced that it has completed an energy efficiency upgrade at the newly redeveloped Wonderland of the Americas project in San Antonio, Texas. The new energy efficient lighting installation is projected to save $150,000 per year, and will be paid for in 36 months under the Lime Energy Extended Payment Plan where monthly utility bill savings exceed the installment payments. "This project will generate positive cash flow of about $4,000 per month, plus the lower operating expenses, increasing the property value by about $2 million," according to Stanley Rosenberg, whose partnership purchased the property in 2009. The staff at Lime Energy worked closely with CPS Energy in San Antonio to maximize the available rebates to reduce the initial cost, and then utilized the Company's extended payment plan to create a positive cash flow for the owner. "Lime has been all over the rebate situation and has advised us accordingly, and now they are helping us determine our eligibility for a federal tax deduction related to their work," said Mr. Rosenberg.

Lime Energy has designed and installed new lighting for interior common areas and the parking lot, including several applications of the latest LED technology for maximum savings of energy and maintenance costs because of the extended fixture lifetime. Energy savings are projected to be more than 1.2 million kWh per year, which is the equivalent of taking 138 cars permanently off the road. In addition to the projected $150,000 savings annually, this level of energy savings provides the following emissions reductions each year:

Holiday Inn Completes Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit

Holiday Inn Old Town in San Diego and Casa Romantica in San Clemente, Calif. has installed LED light tubes to reduce energy  and maintenance costs.They retrofitted their T-8 fluorescent lights with ilumisys MK-1 LED light tubes at both facilities, which will result in nearly $4,000 in energy costs savings annually for Holiday Inn Old Town and more than $10,000 in annual savings for Casa Romantica.

Holiday Inn Old Town retrofitted more than 200 fluorescent light tubes in areas that operate 24/7, including its subterranean parking lot and stairwells throughout the building. Casa Romantica, a registered historic location frequently used for special occasions, retrofitted all of the fluorescent, incandescent and halogen lights on its property to ilumisys LED lighting. The LED lighting was installed throughout the facility including in offices, storage areas, art centers, galleries and common areas.

ilumisys MK-1 tubes have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, twice as long as the average fluorescent tube. The longer life of the LED tubes provides supplementary savings by reducing the need to purchase new product. This also reduces the amount of time maintenance employees spend changing lights, allowing them to be better utilized by engaging in more important activities. For Casa Romantica, this was a key contributing factor in its decision to install LEDs.

Holiday Inn Old Town and Casa Romantica benefited from a zero-out-of-pocket" financing program through their local utility company, which helped to keep initial costs at a minimum.

Blog Sponsor

Value Energy Solutions is an Atlanta based lighting retrofit company that helps owners, managers and engineers reduce their energy costs. Value Energy Solutions has more than 30 years experience providing creative and effective lighting solutions that improve the illumination for building users and reduce electrical bills. Their expertise, wide selection and value pricing cannot be beat. For more information please call (678) 501-4880 or visit our lighting retrofit website- www.valueenergysolutions.com

he Sparkasse Mainfranken Würzburg is one of the largest savings banks in Germany, with 1800 employees and a network of 138 branches and offices. As a bank with roots in the region, the environment is a central concern for Sparkasse Mainfranken, in addition to its commitment to culture and social issues. Consequently, during the general renovation of its headquarters the parking garage was also fitted with a contemporary lighting solution, distinguished by energy efficiency and the highest degree of economy, reliability and safety.
Even during the modernisation of the payment machines in the first building phase care was taken to light the vestibule appropriately, but at the same time in an energy-efficient manner. Outside of the opening times or when there is a low customer volume, the lights are operated at an energysaving level and only adjusted to full lighting strength when people are in the room. During this conversion project the electronic operating equipment of TridonicAtco with its integrated corridor function proved persuasive for the Sparkasse Mainfranken. Since the ballast itself takes on the intelligent control of the light, additional components could be dispensed with. As a result, the installation proved to be both very economical and at the same time energy-saving. When the renovation of the underground garage lighting was undertaken in a further project stage, a convenient and above all energy efficient solution had to be found. Previously at peak periods the entire lighting was operated manually at 100 % on the parking levels. At times when there was little traffic, the light was switched on and off completely. However, until the light switch had been found the person switching it on was in unpleasant darkness. For convenience and safety reasons it was decided to remedy this defect with an intelligent light solution.

Never more in the dark
On the one hand, we require a high lighting level for the underground garage, but at the same time for ecological reasons the system has to save energy, says Herbert Manger, the responsible employee in the Building Department of the Sparkasse Mainfranken. Confronted with this challenge, the fittings from TridonicoAtco with the implemented corridor function, which had already been used in the conversion of the cash machine area, convinced electrical planner Weber Engineering Würzburg. These deal precisely with the dilemma of operating lights 24 hours a day in safety sensitive areas while simultaneously keeping the demand for energy and cost saving in mind.
The function provides for safety and a pleasant atmosphere through sufficient light. In the correspondingly equipped fittings a 100 % dim level of the lights connected is preset at the factory when people are present and 10 % when no one is there. The transition, which occurs fluidly within a time that can be set in advance (dimmed) can be adapted very easily, just like the corresponding dimming levels to individual requirements.

More light, lower costs
The 180 lights with 1 x 58 W T8 lighting elements and magnetic ballasts were replaced by efficient linear luminaires with T5 fluorescent lights. New installation has now occurred for 210 lights with 2 x 35 W T5 lighting elements and Pca Excel one4all Ip dimmable ballasts from TridonicAtco. Despite the higher by 40 % electrical output installed, the Sparkasse Mainfranken will save over 13,000 kW annually through the use of the corridor function. The associated CO2 saving is 21 t and in this way makes a noticeable contribution to relief of the environment.

Simple conversion, uncomplicated start-up
The conversion and realisation of the features required worked perfectly with the ballasts used, Rainer Zachleder,managing director of elektro zachleder GmbH in Gemünden, which was commissioned with the installation, is happy to report. The lights are controlled by presence detectors, which are all connected with a us line. The simple cabling, which occurs as in normal dimming operation, convinced him as did the uncomplicated and user-friendly start-up of the system.

Fast amortisation guaranteed
The reduction in light power made possible has led to a considerable energy saving, via which the new light installation amortises itself. If one converts the calculation back to a light output comparable to that of the original installation, the amortisation period is just over three years. Thanks to this function, the underground garages, corridors and staircases can be equipped with energy- and money-saving lighting. Converting existing systems is no problem. Herbert Mangers comment: The added value compared to
non-dimming lighting is very clear for the Sparkasse Mainfranken: great convenience and safety for visitors and customers, major CO2 savings in favour of the environment and noticeable financial advantages in operation.

New Survey Released On Parking Garage Security

May 10, 2010 - A survey released today by Federal APD, the foremost North American manufacturer of parking control products, taps into U.S. consumers' minds to better understand what drives parking behavior. Notably, the "American Parking Decisions" survey demonstrates security is a consistently high factor for Americans in addition to traditional cost and location considerations. In addition, the survey provides enlightening comparisons of the preferences of men and women as well as six different age groups.

When asked to rank the top three most important considerations when making a parking decision, the majority of Americans indicated "cost" (34 percent), followed closely by "security" (29 percent) and "location" (25 percent). However, two very different age groups-seniors over age 65 and Americans aged 25‐34 years old-ranked security as the most important factor.

"We have always known parkers primarily make a decision based on cost, especially in a down economy," said Bob Kane, Director of New Business Development for Federal APD. "But, the ‘American Parking Decisions' survey demonstrates safety is a close second that trumps the potential increased convenience of another facility's location. Clearly, a secure parking experience is a critical factor for women and men, as well as Americans of all ages."

To provide additional insight regarding the most important parking security factors, survey respondents were asked to rank their top three considerations among five choices. Most (38 percent) chose "a clear security presence with a guard at a desk or in a patrol car," followed closely by "lighting in garage or stairwells" (35 percent) and, in third place, "visible security cameras" (17 percent). Other choices given in the survey were "operating elevators" (seven percent) and "operating call buttons to speak with attendant" (four percent).

Additional Findings The survey revealed interesting demographic comparisons. For example:

    * Greater use by Men. More men use paid parking facilities than women. 47 percent of men and 36 percent of women said they will pay or have paid to park in the past.
    * Unity through Security: An almost equal percentage of men and women (27 percent compared with 30 percent, respectively) ranked security as the most important factor when thinking about parking.
    * Younger Americans want to chat: While only 11 percent of all respondents chose "operating call buttons to speak with a live attendant at exit and entrance kiosks," 18‐34 year‐olds chose this as the most or second most important consideration when thinking about parking security, above all other age groups.
    * We want perks. A rewards program for frequent parking and lost ticket/ vehicle locator assistance were closely tied as consumers' second most influential choice in choosing a parking facility. Following discounted parking (47 percent), 15 percent of consumers said lost ticket/vehicle locator assistance or an incentive program would influence parking decisions.

Methodology
Federal APD commissioned the survey to learn more about what influences and considerations affect Americans' parking decisions. The online survey was conducted among a sample of 1,054 adults comprising 510 men and 544 women 18 years of age and older. Interviewing for this survey was completed on March 25‐26, 2010. The online omnibus study is conducted twice a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older using Greenfield Online Part of The Toluna Group sample.

Parking Garage Security Best Practices

Best Practices for Securing a Parking Lot or Garage
by Joe Wenzl


Parking facilities have always made popular locations in horror films, with dim lighting, footsteps eerily following and shadows lurking to create classic scary scenes.  At the same time, these movies have unfortunately contributed to negative preconceived notions about parking safety in many patrons’ minds.

However, parking operators have the opportunity to prove Hollywood wrong and offer patrons peace of mind by improving security in their garages and lots.  Parking facilities that dedicate efforts to enhanced safety and security measures can not only promote a better customer experience, but also improve overall business operations.

Securing a parking facility can be a challenge.  Most facilities have open access to any individual.  The sheer size of some facilities requires careful thought and consideration by all parties in visualizing the patron experience and constructing every aspect of a facility’s design.

Two ways parking operators can help improve the security of patrons, and meet business objectives, are by implementing an ongoing planning process based on best practices and using leading-edge technologies.  As a result, patrons who feel safe due to security precautions implemented throughout a facility will likely continue to use and recommend that particular facility.

Best practices for securing a parking lot or garage should include:

    * Keeping all areas, especially stairwells, adequately illuminated.
    * Providing intercom call stations for stranded patrons or patrons requiring assistance.
    * Providing alarm stations that immediately summon security to the alarm station location (this is used predominately on university campuses).
    * Providing well-illuminated shelters for waiting patrons.
    * Providing intuitive directional instruction signs to areas, levels, terminals, shuttle stops, etc.
    * Designing parking lots and structures that minimize the distance required for the patron to access their vehicle, thus reducing the time spent outside their vehicle.
    * Installing CCTV systems (e.g. video surveillance) that are regularly monitored.
    * Displaying notifications about each facility’s safety measures (e.g. “This Facility is Under 24 Hour Surveillance”).

Utilizing leading-edge technology plays a substantial role in providing security for parking lots and garages.  Parking operators should look to new, advanced technologies to improve security and business operations.  For example:

    * Using a CCTV system, utilize imaging analysis software to detect if a person is loitering within the same area.  This provides a proactive method of responding to a potential security issue.
    * Using Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) with a blacklist that automatically notifies the operator if a vehicle enters the facility with a suspect license plate number.
    * Using ALPR to also offer parking patrons a service to find their car if they forgot where they parked (e.g. just scan a ticket and find your car’s location).
    * Using Emergency Notification and Alerting Systems to send alerts to registered patrons should a known issue arise in the facility.  Text message and email alerts may be sent to a patron’s cell phone or PDA to report an emergency or can also be used to regularly communicate new offerings and happenings at the facility.



Joe Wenzl
Joe Wenzl is director of strategic systems development for Federal Signal Corporation – Federal APD

Launch of Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit