New technology is helping airports keep restrooms cleaner, which in turn improves the travel experience.
A report from Airport Council International, Airport Service Quality: Airport Cleanliness, found that clean bathrooms and terminals have the biggest impact on travelers’ impressions of an airport. “If you want a pleasant experience, clean bathrooms are a must,” said Dimitri Coll, associate director at ACI.
Major airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have implemented systems from TRAX SmartRestroom to improve cleanliness and reduce wait times. These systems include sensors that monitor stall occupancy and count entries and exits, allowing cleaning crews to be notified when usage passes set thresholds. Visual indicators, like red and green lights, show whether stalls are occupied or available, helping to manage lines more efficiently.
In addition to occupancy monitoring, many systems collect quick customer feedback through simple smile/frown interfaces. Those ratings are forwarded to facility managers and custodial teams so issues can be addressed promptly and trends can be tracked over time.
Other airports have adopted different approaches. Washington Dulles International Airport, for example, offers an app that lets travelers report restroom conditions directly. Such tools provide real-time information to maintenance staff and help airports allocate resources where they’re needed most.
Overall, these technologies combine sensors, simple feedback mechanisms and data-driven cleaning schedules to keep restrooms more sanitary and reduce congestion. Better restroom maintenance contributes to higher satisfaction scores and a more positive airport experience for travelers.