Smart Public Restrooms Come to Atlanta Parks

Atlanta partnered with Throne Labs to install 12 smart restrooms near park entrances across Atlanta. City officials said the restrooms help address a long-standing shortage of public restrooms, Atlanta News First reported.

The first 10 self-contained restrooms opened to the public on May 28. The full-service restrooms contain:

• A flushing toilet and running-water sink
• A baby-changing station
• Complimentary menstrual products
• Touchless flush, faucet, and exit features
• A ramp for wheelchair and walker access
• NaviLens codes to guide people who are blind or low vision

An Atlanta team will handle all cleaning, maintenance, and operations, using real-time cleanliness ratings to keep every unit spotless and stocked. The smart restrooms contain over 21 sensors in each unit, but not cameras. The sensors detect motion, fluid levels, smoke, and odor. The sensors also alert teams to when a unit needs to be pumped, water is running low, or something is damaged.

Restroom users open the door via a QR code, text message, the Throne app, or a phoneless entry card. Usage is limited to ten minutes. While every user remains anonymous, a unique ID is assigned to address misuse without ever knowing the restroom user.

After a visit, users can rate the cleanliness of the restroom via SMS or a Throne mobile app. Maintenance teams can then use this data to drive cleaning schedules. The Throne app also pinpoints restroom locations.

A recent survey of public restrooms by a team from Georgia State University’s School of Public Health found 30 facilities that resembled public restroom. Of these 30, only 18 were free, not in a restricted location, and open to everyone, with no purchase, or badge required. However, those 18 restrooms came with major limitations: Only three were open 24/7, four required permission, five were single-stall facilities, and only 5 were located downtown. Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will host the World Cup beginning this month, Atlanta has no guaranteed public restrooms, the university team reported.