L.A. traffic is a nightmare, which is why so many Angelenos use Waze to get around it. But what if an app could actually get rid of some of those cars? That's the goal of Waze Carpool, rolling out to California next week.

"Too many cars. So many empty seats," laments the Waze web site introducing the Waze Carpool app, launching statewide next Tuesday.

A separate app from Waze, Waze Carpool is designed to get people between their homes and work by hitching a ride with someone else who’s traveling a similar route. The app requires a Gmail account and for users to agree for Waze Carpool to track their commute patterns and last reported location to help the app coordinate rides.

Unlike the popular ride-hail services Uber and Lyft, Waze Carpool does not collect a fare. Passengers reimburse Waze drivers for the gas they use at the IRS reimbursement rate of 54 cents per mile. Because drivers are not Waze employees, they are not obligated to carry commercial car insurance or to undergo background checks.

Waze Carpool isn't meant to be an on-demand service, although passengers can request rides at any time. In San Francisco, where the app has been piloted since last year, most passengers request rides up to seven days in advance.