Los Angeles made history last week by becoming the first city in the nation to install new easy-to-read, gridstyle parking signs. I was happy to join the Mayor to unveil the signs, which are based on a motion I introduced last fall. The signs are being tested as part of a pilot program in downtown Los Angeles.Most Angelenos have had the experience of driving around, trying to find a place to park, finally finding one, and then seeing confusing parking signs stacked one on top of another. It's aggravating and unfair. This new, grid-style sign and the pilot program we just launched should help remedy that. We want to revolutionize the parking experience by making it easy for people to read and understand parking signs. You shouldn't have to read hieroglyphics to avoid a parking ticket in Los Angeles.
The 100 newly installed signs use simple graphics in green and red to pictorially summarize parking restrictions. If the downtown pilot program is a success, LADOT will work with the California Traffic Control Devices Committee to get final approval for replacing existing parking signs with the new ones.
The new sign also features a Bluetooth beacon which can send information readable by smartphones and connected vehicles. The beacons provide the foundation for software developers to create apps that provide instant parking and other information. It's truly an innovative opportunity for civic and technological collaboration that will not only change the parking experience, but also will create the next generation of tools to serve our residents.
What do you think of the new signs?
Share your thoughts with me about our new parking sign pilot program by emailing me at [email protected] or by visiting parkinginfo.lacity.org. I look forward to hearing from you.