Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Express Park xxx
Map of the L.A. Express Park system for Westwood. Image via L.A. Express Park
false

At a press event yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilmember Paul Koretz celebrated the expansion of L.A. Express Park to Westwood.

Westwood has long had a reputation for being a difficult area to park. Express Park should, over time, make finding a parking space there easier. This is good for number of reasons, including reducing traffic congestion exacerbated by drivers "cruising" for a parking space. A study that appears in Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking found that, during peak hours, 68 percent of Westwood traffic was drivers cruising for parking.

For readers unfamiliar with L.A. Express Park, it is a "performance-based parking" pricing program. These programs are also sometimes called "variable-price parking" or "demand-based parking." The way it works is that the city monitors how full on-street parking spaces are, then adjusts parking meter prices with a goal of keeping between 70 and 90 percent of spaces occupied. On blocks where less than 70 percent of meters are occupied, hourly rates are made cheaper. On blocks where it is very difficult to find an open space, hourly rates are made more expensive. Meter rates also vary by the time of day and the day of the week.

Express Park was initially implemented in downtown Los Angeles in 2012. The program manages about 6,300 curb parking spaces there. Initial expansions include this week's roughly 500 spaces in Westwood and about 900 spaces in Hollywood, expected around 2017. The Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee recently directed L.A.'s Transportation Department (LADOT) to look into accelerating Express Park implementation in Hollywood, Venice, the USC area, and eventually to all parking meters citywide.

Features implemented in Westwood include:

    • In-Ground Sensors: Sensors have been installed to detect which spaces are occupied vs. available.
    • Parking Management System: The city collects data from sensors, meters, and lots, and the data is analyzed to manage the system.
    • Message Signs: Three electronic message signs (on Weyburn, Westwood, and Gayley) offer motorists real-time information about parking availability.

Initially, people parking in Westwood are unlikely to see dramatic changes in the next couple weeks. The overall parking system will be monitored by LADOT, with incremental hourly rate increases or decreases being phased in over time.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

A larger than usual headlines stack as we careen towards the 4th of July.

July 2, 2025

Inner Richmond Parents Fed Up with SFMTA Watering Down Safety

Mother of a child hit by a driver furious with city excuses for not taking daylighting and other safety measures seriously.

July 2, 2025

Governor Signs Major Changes to CEQA to Cheers from YIMBYs, Jeers from Environmental Groups

Newsom fast tracked changes to CEQA to fast track development and housing. But what do the changes to the law actually do?

July 1, 2025

Santa Monica and West Hollywood Bus Lane/Stop Enforcement Programs Start Today

Don't block the bus! Parking in a bus lane or at a bus stop will result in a $293 ticket.

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Gov Signs CEQA Bill to Increase Housing, Higher Fees on Parking and Tolls, Opposition to Road Widenings, ICE

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

June 30, 2025
See all posts