The City of Long Beach and Throne Labs have begun a new four-month pilot program to improve public restroom experiences citywide by providing portable automated, self-cleaning public restrooms.
Supplementing the 52 freestanding public restrooms throughout Long Beach, Throne smart restrooms are currently available for public use at the following locations:
- DeForest Park
- Harvey Milk Promenade Park
- Belmont Pier
- Shoreline Marina
The smart restroom locations were chosen with restroom demand and funding availability in mind for the existing restrooms at the locations.
“Public restrooms are necessary infrastructure that serve everyone in our community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “This pilot program with Throne represents our commitment to exploring innovative options to increase access to clean, accessible and safe public facilities. By piloting a solution that has proven successful in communities throughout LA County, we aim to increase the number of welcoming public spaces in Long Beach parks.”
Throne restrooms are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and feature running water sinks, flushing toilets, baby changing stations and complimentary menstrual products. Each unit has 21 sensors that provide real-time data on the restroom’s status, cleanliness and usage statistics. The restrooms also have a 10-minute time limit for each use.
In the pilot phase, restroom users can access the units via text message or mobile app. Those without access to a mobile phone will have access to the City’s other accessible public restrooms. The units are cleaned four times a day and are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The program will run through mid-August, and is overseen by the City’s Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Department and Technology and Innovation Department (TID).
Performance metrics from the pilot, such as usage patterns, satisfaction ratings, cleanliness levels, uptime percentage, maintenance responsiveness and comparative cost analysis will be studited. The data gathered from each Throne’s sensors will help the City track changes in cleanliness in the immediate area and vandalism incidents compared to traditional facilities. Public surveys are also posted at all Throne locations, with the goal of collecting direct feedback from residents and visitors to inform future restroom infrastructure in the city.
As of May 14, there are 22 Thrones available for use across Los Angeles County that have maintained cleanliness ratings for 4 out of 5 stars or higher. Since May 2024, a Throne has been set up in Long Beach’s Willow Street Station through a partnership with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and has amassed close to 13,000 visits with no security issues, according to the City.
“Access to clean bathrooms is essential for vibrant communities, and our mission is to create facilities that everyone wants to use,” said Jessica Heinzelman, COO and Co-founder of Throne Labs, in a public statement. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the City of Long Beach to demonstrate how access to delightful smart public restrooms can transform public spaces to be more welcoming to residents and visitors.”
Funding for the pilot program comes from the TID Innovation Fund and operating and maintenance funds from the PRM Department. According to the Los Angeles Times, each of the 7-by-8-foot restrooms cost $6,200 per month, bringing the total program cost to $99,200.
After the program ends, Long Beach will determine whether a more permanent program should be considered and explore funding sources to pay for the technology, including external partners. If a more permanent program is chosen, the City will assess how best to provide restroom access to users without mobile phones.
