Have To Take A Leak While On The Road? Toyota’s got Your Back

At least in Japan they do. ;)

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – May 31, 2015

During the Shell Dual-Fuel Charger drive, this Rest Area in MS was one of the nicest. What if you knew about the full complement of facilities before you got there?

So you are on a road trip and you need to stop to take a leak. Normally you bring up Google and ask for nearest Rest Area. But what if you have special needs? Toyota had an idea that would be cool to have here. Let’s hope it expands…

For wheelchair users and others with disabilities and/or special needs, certain aspects of traveling by car can be problematic and uncomfortable. Finding the nearest special needs restroom presents a challenge when planning a trip.

To help address this problem, Toyota is launched its newly-developed Restroom Finder app. The app, which works in conjunction with the Toyota T-Connect and Lexus G-Link telematics systems, lets users search for special needs restrooms located in rest areas on highways and public roads.

Restroom Finder provides detailed information about facilities, such as ease of access to the restrooms, and covers a wide variety of service areas, including Toyota's own Welcab Stations2. At present, the app offers information for three prefectures in the Tokai region (Aichi, Gifu and Mie). It also provides route guidance to facilities fitting the parameters within these regions.

The app can filter search results by facility type or user needs, including location of handrails or presence of care beds, diaper-changing tables, and ostomate (<-- Not sure what that means?) facilities. Users can view detailed information on facilities that fit the search parameters and set them as destinations. In addition, even if a destination that has already been set in the initial navigation screen, facilities can be added on route or as additional destinations.

Facilities covered by app

	Facilities	Special needs restrooms
Highway/roadside service areas	172	208
Welcab Stations	19	20
Total	191	228

Facility accessibility information provided by app

• Basic information (opening hours, holidays, etc.)
• Service station layout maps/plans
• Number of disabled parking berths
• Presence or absence of roofing over disabled parking berths
• Location of special needs restrooms (inside and outside)
• Ease of access between car park and special needs restrooms

Restroom accessibility information provided by app

• Entrance steps (steps, slope, or no steps) e.g. 20 cm, two steps
• Entrance door-type (automatic, sliding, or hinged)
• Entrance width (narrower or wider than 80 cm)
• Presence or absence of right-hand handrails; handrail type (L-shape, U-shape, or I-shape; fixed or movable)
• Presence or absence of left-hand handrails; handrail type (L-shape, U-shape, or I-shape; fixed or movable)
• Toilet type (barrier-free, etc.)
• Presence or absence of backrest
• Presence or absence of warm water shower-toilet
• Presence or absence of warm water shower-toilet control panel; location of control panel (wall-mounted or next to the toilet seat)
• Flush type (push, sensor, pedal or lever, etc.)
• Presence or absence of facilities for ostomates
• Presence or absence of care beds
• Presence or absence of diaper changing tables
• Presence or absence of emergency buttons

Have To Take A Leak While On The Road? Toyota’s got Your Back