QR codes are an omnipresent aspect of life in the smartphone era, controlling everything from airline tickets to restaurant menus.
However, Long Beach has a new, perhaps unexpected place that can be opened with a smartphone scan: a public toilet.
As part of the pilot program, Washington, DC-based Throne Labs has installed “smart” bathrooms in four locations throughout the city. Each unit known as Thrones includes a sink with toilets, urinals and ADA-accessible lamps.
“Cities across the country want to provide bathrooms, but costs and operational challenges stop them from doing so,” said Jessica Heinzelman, co-founder and CEO of Throne Labs.
To access the throne, most users said they were scanning QR codes outside the toilet that generates text messages that open a specific toilet. There are also codes that can be entered for people without a smartphone, and physical access cards are also available.
Digital signs alert users whether the bathroom is available and used, cleaned or closed.
However, those who prefer a leisurely visit of Lou, the throne has a time limit. The door will open after 10 minutes, ready or not.
Long Beach has chosen to place units at Belmontopia, Shoreline Marina, Harvey Milk Promenade Park and DeForest Park on April 15th and 16th. These places are available on many walks, but there are not many bathrooms. News of the Throne Toilet was first reported by the Long Beach Post.
Jane Groberty, the city’s community information supervisor for the Parks, Recreation and Marine departments, said the department was unable to provide an exact number of toilets, but it operates 51 traditional toilet facilities.
A portable throne toilet was placed at Harvey Milk Promenade Park in mid-April.
(Throne Lab courtesy of Patrick Diller)
Ryan Kurtzman, Technology Partnership Officer for the city’s Technology and Innovation Department, said his offices have teamed up with the Parks Department, Public Works and the mayor’s office to select a toilet location.
He said Belmont Pier and coastline marinas were chosen for immediate demand.
“There are a lot of people going in these areas, but there are actually no toilet facilities nearby,” he said.
Defourst Park was chosen after toilets were destroyed in a fire, and authorities landed at Harvey Milk Promenade Park as a way to increase limited products in downtown city.
The cost of a 7 x 8-foot toilet is $6,200 per month, which is equivalent to a total price of just under $100,000 for the four-month exam.
The partnership rolled when Kurtzman encouraged Throne Labs to offer proposals under Pitch Long Beach! A program aimed at identifying potential partnerships with private companies to tackle civic challenges.
“One of the great things about the throne is that there is a lot of data that can be provided in simpler ways than standard park toilets,” says Kurtzman. “We are looking at the number of uses, length of duration, user experience, cleanliness and other factors.”
Kurtzman said the city will weigh these factors against cost analysis when deciding whether to maintain toilets.
Heinzelman, co-founder of Throne Labs, said more than 2,900 individuals have visited four toilets since the installation. Users rated the facility 4.3 stars out of five, she said.
Another Long Beach Championship was established at A Line Willow Street Station in partnership with LA County Metro last May. The unit has visited 2,900 users since its installation, with 13,000 visitors, according to the company.
Throughout the transport system, Metro Station has 18 other public thrones, with plans to expand to 64 within two years, Heinzelmann said. There are also two thrones at Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills.
On average, most people using the toilet will take 3 minutes or 20 seconds. The main reason for the 10-minute time limit is to discourage Reuters, Heinzelmann said.
But she said there is also safety purposes.
Individuals suffer twice from medical emergency on their throne outside Long Beach. The 10-minute limit opened the door and allowed onlookers to ask for help.
“In a traditional toilet, if there is a medical problem inside, you might stay there for hours until the janitor gets there,” Heinzelman said.
Once the 10 minutes pass, the light will flash inside the unit, asking the user to leave the recorded message. The door will open soon, she said.
She said in other Los Angeles units, 85% of those who hit the time limit within two minutes left within five minutes.
“In a way, these numbers are far better than expected,” Heinzelmann said.
