LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT might not be the biggest or busiest airport in the United States, but it is probably the most iconic, thanks to its inclusion in countless films, television episodes and songs since the 1960s. Each year the airport serves more than 80 million domestic and international passengers.

As 2020 gets rolling, LAX travelers are getting used to major modifications introduced at the end of 2019. The biggest change to the airport in some time, LAX-it, provides a space away from the terminals where travelers hail taxis and rideshares, presenting a temporary upheaval for some regular LAX travelers. Pronounced “L.A. exit,” this initiative represents the airport’s effort to reduce severe traffic congestion while it undergoes massive renovations.

The good news for travelers departing from LAX: Rideshares and taxis will continue to drop off passengers as they always have. The new system, supported by a shuttle bus, only applies to flights arriving in Los Angeles. Introduced at the end of October 2019, LAX-it, in use throughout this calendar year, will not be a permanent part of the airport’s infrastructure. Upon completion of the terminal overhauls and installation of the Automated People Mover train in 2023, the airport will look into restoring direct terminal access for rideshare and taxi pick-ups.

The intention behind removing the shuttle system once the overhaul wraps up is to provide a more connected LAX. With an operational Automated People Mover and increased accessibility and updated layouts in the terminals, traffic congestion will fall, the airport explains. During construction, about 30 percent of the curb previously used for pick-ups and drop-offs will be inaccessible, creating the need for a designated rideshare spot.

The bigger upgrades coming to LAX represent fundamental changes in the way the airport functions. The overhaul — a $14.3 billion improvement program with the overall goal of reducing traffic throughout LAX — will modernize all nine terminals, build a new satellite concourse and install the Automated People Mover train. The train will include six stops and connect to the regional rail system.

In mid-November, LAX-it was running smoothly, with eight consecutive days of single-digit wait times for taxis and rideshares from the pickup point.

In total, the new change also serves Los Angeles World Airports’ sustainability goals by reducing the amount of traffic and backups in the area for pick-ups. The association also constantly works toward sustainability goals in concert with the city mayor’s office. Some of these efforts include a central utility plant, frequent usage of green power, a clean construction program to reduce emissions and waste from construction projects and much more.