Parking in dense urban neighborhoods can be a major challenge, especially in a vibrant destination like San Diego’s Little Italy, where thousands of residents, diners, and visitors circulate through the district each week, creating steady demand for reliable, well-managed parking options. Even a compact 56-space residential garage plays a crucial role in keeping traffic moving. When inconsistent sensor readings from the garage’s aging system began affecting efficiency and the visitor experience, the property partnered with Parking Guidance Systems (PGS) to implement a precision-driven UMS retrofit designed for compact, high-demand facilities.
Overcoming Outdated Parking Technology
The Columbia & Date garage—serving Vici Luxury Rentals and neighborhood guests—supports one of San Diego’s most active districts. With limited curbside parking and steady turnover, the facility relies on precise, real-time monitoring to keep vehicles flowing smoothly.
The existing system, installed more than 10 years ago, had reached end-of-life with no local support. With unreliable counts and aging hardware affecting day-to-day operations, the property partnered with PGS to implement a modernized, technology-driven retrofit.
Smart Parking Guidance at Its Best
After evaluating the previous installation, PGS was able to Value engineer the retrofit to ensure an accurate and reliable replacement.The retrofit focused on deploying high-accuracy Universal Monitoring Sensors (UMS) along with refreshed red/green LED indicators to guide drivers clearly through the 56-space structure.
The upgraded system now provides:
- Real-time occupancy data across all 56 spaces
- Improved detection accuracy, reducing false reads
- Enhanced visibility through updated LED indicators
- A modern data backbone for reporting and oversight
These improvements give visitors immediate clarity on available spaces, critical in a compact garage where a single inaccurate reading can disrupt flow.
Collaboration That Puts the Client First
Delivering the right solution required close coordination with the property team and LAZ Parking, whose trust and partnership were instrumental in shaping a retrofit that met operational needs while minimizing disruptions. By reusing viable infrastructure, PGS delivered strong value and ensured an efficient implementation.
This thoughtful approach allowed the team to:
- Maintain garage operations with minimal downtime
- Integrate new UMS sensors seamlessly into the existing layout
- Improve detection accuracy across all stall counts
- Tailor the solution to the needs of a high-turnover, 56-space environment
The result is a cleaner, more reliable guidance experience for residents and Little Italy visitors.
PGS Delivers a More Accurate and Efficient Parking Experience
With advanced UMS technology in place, PGS has transformed an aging guidance system into a high-performance solution capable of supporting one of San Diego’s busiest neighborhoods.
For facilities looking to improve accuracy, streamline flow, or modernize outdated equipment, PGS delivers solutions built for precision, reliability, and long-term value.
