Japanese Parking Innovation Could Ease LA’s Parking Crisis

As Los Angeles struggles with worsening congestion, a Japanese parking innovation is proving effective in cities facing similar problems. Could this approach help Koreatown’s growing parking shortage?

At 6th Street and Alexandria Avenue in Koreatown, parked cars block lanes and reduce visibility, creating a dangerous traffic bottleneck. The situation is expected to worsen with California’s new law, AB 413, which limits parking near crosswalks and intersections, making spaces even scarcer.

Park24 Turns Unused Land into Smart Parking

Japan’s Park24 Group has tackled similar challenges through its Times parking brand. The company converts empty land into short-term, cashless parking, making better use of urban spaces.

After Japan’s economic bubble burst, many landowners struggled to profit from vacant properties. Park24 introduced a way to turn these spaces into parking lots with little investment. The company identifies suitable locations, negotiates low-cost leases or purchases, and installs automated parking systems.

How the Times Parking System Works

The Times system operates without on-site staff. Drivers park in spaces with an automatic lock that activates on entry. To leave, they pay at a kiosk, which then releases the lock. This cashless setup reduces costs and keeps the lot open 24/7.

Park24 also uses TONIC (Times Online Network & Information Center), a system that adjusts pricing based on real-time demand. This technology helps set fair rates while giving drivers live updates on available spaces.

Beyond parking, Park24 adds car-sharing services, vending machines, and micro-revenue streams, making each location more profitable. The company’s success has led to expansion in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Could LA Adopt This Smart Parking Model?

With Koreatown’s parking shortage growing, could Japanese parking innovation offer a solution? Repurposing idle land and using automated systems could help reduce congestion while providing new revenue for landowners.

City officials and urban planners need smarter parking strategies. Park24’s model could be a practical way to improve LA’s limited parking spaces.

BY HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]