The New L.A. Story: Waze Partners with City; Neighbors Get Upset

A partnership between Waze and the city of Los Angeles has prompted a cry of "not on the street in front of my frontyard!" from residential neighborhoods around the city.

2 minute read

May 5, 2015, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The Waze traffic-avoidance app has begun sharing drivers' aggregated data with Los Angeles city and county traffic managers in exchange for information on street closures, detours and other data that make the app more useful," reports Sharon McNary.

McNary's coverage includes more details about the potential benefit of the deal to both of the parties involved. Los Angeles entered the agreement in October and announced during Mayor Eric Garcetti's State of the City Address in April.

Though Los Angeles is only one of ten cities to enter into the agreement, the unique relationship of the city's residents to their cars and the streets upon which they travel and park their cars, has prompted a strong response on the part of "Traffic NIMBYs" concerned about the number of drivers who use the app to more frequently access residential streets away from congested arterials and freeways. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian has even introduced legislation that would "reduce the impact of cut-through traffic that results from use of Waze and similar traffic apps," according to a separate article by Bianca Barragan.

Brian K. Roberts, author of L.A. Shortcuts: The Guidebook for Drivers Who Hate to Wait, written 25 years ago, pens an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times in response to pushback against Traffic NIMBYs, offering perspective about the clashing dynamics of public and private brought about by the controversy.

Roberts recalls being let off with a warning after making a turn that was once legal—before residents lobbied for changes to the street configuration in reaction to his book:

"Though I dodged a ticket, that traffic stop raised serious questions. How was it possible that a public street maintained with my tax dollars was no longer available to me? I wasn't speeding. I wasn't intoxicated. I had a valid license. It wasn't my fault that homeowners didn't look at a simple map or check the traffic patterns before they bought a house. Who were these people who had persuaded the government to give their private interests priority? What shortcut did they take every morning to get to work on time?"

One more of the best quotes from an op-ed full of provocative turns of phrase:

"Krekorian and other Waze critics — like the Brentwood woman who told the Associated Press recently that "the streets on the Westside are no longer a secret for locals, and people are angry" — should realize that the streets were never a secret meant for a select few and have been listed on maps at least since Wyatt Earp died here in 1929. Instead of blaming Waze, they should redirect their sense of entitlement to demand better mass-transit options that would reduce traffic for everyone."

Monday, May 4, 2015 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

4 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

6 hours ago - Next City