System and method for organizing data stored in a log structured array

In a storage system comprising an array of storage devices, including a processor and memory, a plurality of logical tracks are organized on the storage devices in segments comprising columns striped across the storage devices. A system and method are provided for storing logical tracks in the storage devices. Sequentially logically related logical tracks are stored together in neighborhoods. Logical tracks of the same neighborhood destaged at the same time are assigned to a single open segment with other logical tracks of the same neighborhood type. The time at which open segments are designated as closed segments to be written to the storage devices is based on performance, disk utilization and memory utilization criteria. Logical tracks are never split between segment columns. Also, attempts are made not to split a neighborhood of logical tracks being destaged together between segment columns.