Investigation of public toilet facility in MRT station

(1) W.J.Liao, Ms. (2) C.L. Cheng, Dr. (3) K.C. He, Dr. (4) M.H.Wu , Dr. (1)[email protected] (2)[email protected] (3)[email protected] (1) (2) (3) (4) National University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture, 43 Keelung Road Sec.4, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Abstract

“Toilet”, an indispensible facility of architecture in modern people’s life, has reflected civilian hygienic habit, civic-minded standard, aesthetic consciousness, overall educational level of a nation and national economic development. A well-established public toilet should meet many basic needs like safety, convenience, pleasing to the eye, saving resources, and hygiene etc. Later on, this study not only explores every basic functional requirement what public toilets of MRT stations should have, but analyze and discuss the functions of pleasing to the eye, comfort, energy saving, environmental protection, humanization, and design being used universally etc. Hopefully there will be more complete, convenient and comfortable service space of sanitary toilets provided. Users’ need can be satisfied as well. Meanwhile, the management authority can reduce the management cost of every item. The workload for cleaning and maintenance personnel can be lessened to fulfill the objective of need in every aspect. This study plans to collect fundamental examples of cases for public toilets both in domestic and foreign MRT stations. The later goal will be aimed at knowing the use condition and current setup status of already built public toilets for domestic MRT stations. In the end, the standard of design planning for public toilets of MRT stations will be accomplished. The configuration plan and standard of humanization, being reasonable, economy and environmental protection will be fulfilled too.

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Keywords public toilets, humanization, regulation, Time Ratio, sanitary facilities, regulation

1. Introduction

MRT construction has not only been regarded as a developmental trend of modern transportation but an important issue of dealing with traffic problems and molding urban space. Nevertheless, there are roughly 150 urban MRT systems currently built everywhere in the world. Meanwhile, there are also many cities consecutively planning or building MRT systems. The full Chinese name of Taipei MRT system means public rapid transportation system which originates from the direct translation of 「Mass 」（MRT）in English. This name contains the meaning of “rapid and prompt”. MRT is a synonym which equals to the subway system (underground railway) or urban transportation system with a track in many occasions. In fact, MRT does not necessarily denote transportation system with a rail exclusively as the development and need of every city varies. There might be also some traits of high capacity transportation included but without the mode of track design as transportation vehicle. “Toilet”, an indispensible facility of architecture in modern people’s life, has reflected civilian hygienic habit, civic-minded standard, aesthetic consciousness, overall educational level of a nation and national economic development. The earlier public toilets of Taiwan had been much easier to be neglected in the stage of overall planning. The ventilation, illumination, and ambient lighting of configuration location had been rather insufficient too. The number of settings had not been considered and the standard was rather low. However, the space for sanitary ware and bathroom accessories has become the symbolic index of household life quality step by step in respect to the gradual elevation of living standard and hygienic concept of household living environment for people in Taiwan region. People start to pay much attention to comfort of toileting space and individual style molding. Besides, Mr. Frank M. H. WU, an architect, has pointed out as well that different peoples have different ways of dealing with excretion. Relevant design of toilet in Taiwan mainly focuses on the improvement of public toilets. First of all, the design of public toilet thinks highly of humanization which evolves design according to behavioral need for use. Furthermore, illumination and ventilation comes into play as well with great importance. Thirdly, easy cleaning

383 matters. Therefore, a toilet has also started to become the place where personal and comfortable space is provided. If substantial environment of toilets can not reach hygienic level to satisfy users’ need physiologically and psychologically, it will peril users’ personal hygiene. On the contrary, if users’ hygiene is poor and the sanitation of toilet environment is thereby undermined, it will be to the detriment of users’ personal hygiene in the long run (Frank M. H. WU). The design of toilet should consider the need of different users for this reason. Toilet design is no longer the issue of number and ratio any more. It is more likely to be the problem of use which relates to suitability for users. It is expected that the future design of public toilets will be more humanized. A truly clean place where the space of safely going to toilet can be offered will come up.

2. Reviews and Methodology

The ratio of male to female toilets in public toilets is 1:1, based on the principle used in the United States, and Japan. It was applied to the Building Code in Taiwan 40 years ago. This results in the serious shortage of female toilets in public toilets. It is observed that women often wait in line outside the public toilets. In order to eliminate this unreasonable phenomenon, the Construction and Planning Agency of the Ministry of the Interior has draw up the research objects. The investigation for male and female urinating time was conducted by the Taiwan Toilet Association. An on-site survey was held in 20 public toilets in Taipei City for 1908 women and 1455 men. And compare the Male and Female Urinating Time between Taiwan and Japan. The survey result shows that (1) The average urinating time for male is 34 seconds. (2)The average urinating time for female is 71 seconds. The ratio of urinating time for male to female is around 1:2.

Table 1 - Compare the Male and Female Urinating Time between Taiwan and Japan Gender Urinating time Time Ratio

female 71s 2 Taiwan Male 34s 1 female 90~93s 3 Japan Male 30~35s 1

According to the existing research point out, the sanitary facilities of restroom is included the wash-basin, toilet and urinal. All the toileting spaces were must be

384 considered the humanization and Universal Design which is included general restroom, restroom for the disabled, parents with infants’ restroom and nursing room. In recent years, the amelioration and establishment for every item of social welfare facilities has been rather close to being perfect day by day in Taiwan. Regardless of the stipulation and issue for enforcement related to laws and regulations of barrier free environment for the disabled people, the enhancement of every hardware facility item has grown step by step without exception. Every index of social development has already reached the stage of maturity and steady growth as facts shown in Taiwan. Taiwan had become an aging society and evolved democratically since year 1993. There had been more emphasis on every basic human right ever since then. Even relevant medical care and implementation of welfare measure had been the executive focuses of policies for people’s livelihood. One million seventy one thousand and seventy three (1,701,073) people have claimed disabled handbooks to register as disabled based on the data issued by Department of statistics, the Ministry of the Interior, till the end of December in year 2009. This number roughly accounts for 4.63% of total population and has increased 0.12％ in comparison with the same period in the previous year. If those people are classified by categories of being disabled, there are three hundred ninety-six thousand six hundred and fifty-two (396,652) physically disabled people who make up the most percentage. Next being categorized by order, there are one hundred sixteen thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine (116,889) people whose vital organs have lost functions. There are one hundred eleven thousand three hundred and twenty-two (115,322) hearing-impaired people. The ratio of physically and mentally handicapped people to the total population of the disabled rises with age increase in every age level. People who are 0 to twelve year-old merely make up 1.2%. People who are over 65 years old reach the high percentage of 16.1. This study collects and compiles the statistical information of physically and mentally handicapped people in recent years as follows. The finding shows a gradual growth in number year by year. There should be relevant laws and decrees stipulated and the setting of barrier free environment with a faster pace to offer barrier free space much friendlier and more completely. On the other hand, the content of chapter 4．4．5．16 stated in planning manual published by Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government, shows that all stations should be equipped with toilets for staff of stations and passengers. The design standard of public toilets should follow the criteria listed in the following chart. Although the aforementioned facilities section of building code and regulations has already proposed performance specification in the light of public buildings like stations

385 and airports by reading the chart listed below. Nevertheless, MRT stations are classified as special buildings which do not conform to the standard of building code and specifications. In spite of the standard of setting number for sanitary ware of public toilets in MRT stations has been clearly stipulated in writing, the planning manual published by Department of Rapid Transit Systems, Taipei City Government, appears to be the only reference available. However, will there be space for adjustment in accordance with the content and the number of ratio considering the presupposition of economy and reasonableness?

Table 2 - The standard of setting number for public toilets by Department of Rapid Transit Systems Enter and out of the Women's room Men's room Parent-child station passenger restroom flow in peak time Wash-basin Toilet Toilet urinal Wash-basin Under 10000 persons 4 15 3 6 2 1 10001~15000 persons 5 20 4 8 3 1 15001~20000 persons 6 25 5 10 3 1 Up 20001 persons 8 30 6 12 4 1

In our research, we have synthesized useful information on the sanitary facilities number and ratio in public toilets, transport station and a rapid transit system. We can find that the ratio of male to female toilets in public toilets is 1:1 in the early stages. However, owing to the behavior of toilet is great different from male to female with the natural limitation, which is not only for the usage time but also the needs for toileting space. All the reasons will affect size of public toilets and facilities number. So, women's sanitary facilities number has already increases gradually in recent year. Therefore, the true equality of public toilet issue needs to be conducted in the future. Table 3 shows the regulation for sanitary equipment in public toilets.

Table3 - The regulation for sanitary facilities in public toilets Subject matter Titles of regulation Nation Chapters and sections Female Male Male Categories toilet urinal toilet Chapter 10 of sanitary Each facility was must be used National Plumbing Codes U.S.A facilities for 40 personal in public place Item 1 of the public Without the detailed provisions on the The building regulations sanitary facilities and sanitary facilities number and ratio of 2000 Hygiene G washing facilities male and female toilet facilities. Britain Technical Guidance Category third item 5 of Document M,Access for Barrier-free sanitary - 1 1 People with Disabilites facilities for Non-housing

386 Subject matter Titles of regulation Nation Chapters and sections Female Male Male Categories toilet urinal toilet Building Regulation(the cinema 3 2 1 standard of sanitary The standard of sanitary Hong department facilities, water pipe facilities 2 1 1 store/ market installation, drainage Kong construction and restroom) public place 4 2 1 chapter third section 3 Transport of the structure basic 3 2 2 station/wharf The planning and design demands for public toilets standards for public toilets in China The design area of public toilet should the city chapter third section 1 establish 15~25 square meters for every of the public toilets thousand people for transport station, wharf and gymnasium Concentrated use at the 5 1 2 Architectural Technology specific period Article 37 of Equipment Rules in a day Evenly used in Taiwan 3 1 2 a day Manual planning - Department of Rapid Transit the ratio is 5:1:2 by the design of travel 4．4．5．16 Systems, Taipei City transportation amount Government

3. Investigation

Taipei MRT is the first rapid transit system in Taiwan. The second is Rapid Transit System. Besides, the , a milestone of public long-distance transportation evolution in Taiwan, has been in operation, the choice of transportation from the south to the north of Taiwan. In this study, the current usage status of public toilet for Taipei MRT, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (KRT) system, and Taiwan High Speed Rail will be investigated and comprehended. The overall operation procedures would include two parts. One was the preceding operation which included choose the stations, make an investigation plan and analysis dates. The other was review the existing design standard about a man to women ratio of stool device in public toilet. This study has already completed the survey statistics of current setup status and collection the basic data for public toilets in 12 Taipei MRT, 5 Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (KRT) and 2 Taiwan High Speed Rail. The relevant content is stated respectively as follows: 一、Control the number of sanitary facilities for each station

387 Owing to the number of sanitary facilities will affect the User's servicing rate and waiting time. First, we must control the number of public sanitary facilities and use condition for each station. In the future, we can research more thorough subject about estimates the number and ratio of toilet and Squat toilet, servicing rate and reasonable waiting time. Table 4 shows the use condition of sanitary facilities in the 19 stations. It was noted that the identify differences of station types, travel transportation amount and service item among three Public transportation means.

Table 4 - the use condition of sanitary facilities in the 19 stations Women's room Men's room Station Name Wash-basin Toilet Toilet urinal Wash-basin Taipei station-Danshui line 3 9 4 4 2 Taipei station - 4 10 3 5 3 Zhongxiao Fuxing-Bannan 3 6 3 3 2 Li Zhongxiao Fuxing - Wenhu 4 8 5 5 3 Li Taipei Nangang Exhibition 5 12 4 5 5 Taipei Ct Danshui 6 19 4 9 4 Rapid Jiantan-1 2 8 2 5 2 Transit Jiantan-2 2 3 2 3 2 System Taipei Zoo 6 12 4 5 3 Longshan Temple 3 3 3 3 2

Jiannan Rd. 6 20 4 8 4 Yongchun 2 6 3 3 2 Nanijing E.Rd. 2 6 2 4 3 Dapinglin 3 3 3 3 2 Gangqian 6 25 5 10 3 Formosa Boulevard - 8 3 4 - Kaohsiung Kaohsiung main station 5 15 5 6 3 Rapid Central Park 4 12 4 4 3 Transit 4 9 3 4 4 System Cultural Center Station 3 6 3 3 2

Jiayi station-1 3 4 2 3 2 Taiwan Jiayi station-2 3 4 2 3 2 High Zuoying-1 6 10 7 5 3 Speed Rail Zuoying-2 6 17 7 8 3

二、Control the setup of toileting space and present situation topic for public toilets

We must control the use condition and current setup status of already built public

388 toilets for domestic MRT stations. The target of this study is drawing up design planning for public toilets which must be considered the configuration plan and standard of humanization, being reasonable, economy and environmental protection. The figure 1 shows the public toilet surveyed in this report partially place restroom for the disabled in men’s and women’s restroom separately. There is no independent setup of restroom for the disabled and parents with infants’ restroom.

dependent setup independent setup Figure1- the public toilet surveyed about restroom for the disabled and parents with infants’ restroom

4 Analysis and Discussion This study has already completed the survey statistics of current setup status and sanitary facilities number for public toilets in 19 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations. Thru the initial data compilation of this stage, the relevant content is stated respectively as follows: Based on traits of each station, this study has preliminarily divided Taipei MRT into three major categories which are sightseeing spot, transportation nexus, and ordinary stop correspondingly. In respect of different location of every station, the composition of tourists’ groups, and the distribution of peak hour for travelling also varies. In order to perceive users’ free selection without time concern between squatting and sitting toilets during off-peak hour, there must be prior understanding of off-peak distribution for each station. Not until the general condition of hourly transportation during the

389 survey is explored can the survey be adopted as reference in our analysis. Yong-chun classified as an ordinary station is taken as an example in the study. The distribution of peak and off-peak hour can be clearly demonstrated by hourly observation within the investigation period during weekdays in the following graph.

Figure2- The distribution of use population both toilet and pass in and out station during weekdays- Yong-chun station

MRT system of Taipei Metropolis has been well developed and mature. It is an important public transportation vehicle to most people. This study compiled data provided by Taipei MRT Company and integrated actual surveyed results to comprehend the distribution trait of peak and off-peak hour for stations of ordinary stop, transportation nexus, and sightseeing spot. The distribution of peak and off-peak hour for various stations during weekdays and holidays are shown in the following graph.

390 General Station- Yong-chun station

Traffic node- Zhongxiao Fuxing station

Sightseeing - Danshui station

Figure 3 - Compare the pass in and out population for various stations during weekdays and holidays

391 Obvious crests all occur during the rush hours in various kinds of stations. It shows public commuters of densely populated Taipei Metropolis rely on public transportation systems such as MRT. A secondary peak will also occur around 9 o’clock during the night in some stations. We conjecture the composition is comprised of office workers and students. The population distribution of transportation nexus and sight-seeing spot will gradually increase from 10 o’clock in the morning. The daily peak will appear around dinner time and wane step by step to be single peak distribution after that time. Though single peak also happens in ordinary stations, it is less obvious in general. The current usage status of public toilet for Taipei MRT, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (KRT) system, and Taiwan High Speed Rail is investigated and comprehended. The main points are thereafter summed up as follows: 1. MRT stations can be generally categorized transportation nexus, and business district for sight-seeing. The rate of going to toilet for tourists is about 10%. As for MRT stations generally categorized as commuting, the rate of going to toilet for tourists is more or less 7%. 2. Tourists’ toileting rate of MRT and High Speed Rail both increases as transport volume steps up. The maximum use mostly occurs during peak at dusk but the toileting rate does not show proportional. The higher rate of going to toilet mainly happens at off-peak time. The reason is conjectured to be less time pressure for travelers at off-peak time. The willingness of going to toilet is therefore higher. 3. The survey result of passenger satisfaction finished by Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation shows female passengers to be roughly 60% and male passengers 40%. The toileting rate for both genders is rather similar in our investigation. Women to men ratio is 1.09：1. Though female toileting number is slightly higher, some stations like KRT stations, Taipei Longshan Temple station and Kaohsiung station of High Speed Rail shows male toileting rate to be the leader. 4. There is no finding of waiting for using toilets in Chiayi and Zuoying stations of High Speed Rail during the survey period in this report. While the number of people for going to toilet is generally not high in KRC stations, only Kaohsiung station of KRT happens queuing up in women’s restroom during peak time at dusk. The waiting time is usually around two minutes based on the observation. The reason for waiting is not resulted from lacking available toilets after further interview being conducted. It is owing to user’s habit of preferring a squatting toilet. Longshan Temple station and the outside women’s toilets of Tamsui station in Taipei MRT have shown a rather serious queuing condition. The worst waiting time is more or less 4 to 5 minutes. The

392 queuing up condition of Taipei Main station, Jiantan Station (1st exit), and Zhongxiao Fuxing Station appears in ladies’ restroom during peak time at dusk. The waiting time comes out to be less than 3 minutes. Most interviewed female users express their acceptance for waiting time to be less than 2 minutes. It illustrates the need to improve the number of toilets or space for the aforementioned ladies’ restroom with insufficient sanitary ware. 5. The toileting rate of Jiannan Rd., Gangqian Station, and Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station in Wenshan-Neihu Line is rather low in the observation during the survey. There will be following discussion for the relation of current setup status and service rate.

6. The public toilets surveyed in this report partially place restroom for the disabled in men’s and women’s restroom separately. There is no independent setup of restroom for the disabled and parents with infants’ restroom. The space of already built public toilets will be confined and therefore smaller. The problem of inconformity in relevant regulation requirements of installation for the disabled will happen. The inconvenience of escorting care-taker with different gender also appears. As for the space of nursery room, there is exclusive area set up independently for Taipei MRT stations and High Speed Rail. The guidance signs are clear. The management and maintenance is good. The spatial facility is rather complete. However, there is no nursery room set up independently in KRT stations mostly. Relevant amelioration and adjustment can be made to improve joint use with other space in the future. 7. The investigation shows Taiwanese people mainly prefer squatting toilets to sitting ones. This report still suggests there should be more sitting toilets in ratio and number increased year after year or stage after stage in the future. This is how elderly and disabled people can be satisfied. 8. Taiwanese technical regulations have already openly stipulated that a man to women ratio of stool device is 1:5. Domestic MRT systems have yet adopted or gradually modulated accordingly. Nevertheless, MRT stations are classified as special buildings. Some ordinary MRT stations are categorized as commuting. Men to women ratio of stool device in space should be 1:3. Follow-up relevant issues should be included in further study.

393 5. Conclusion

This entrusted research collects and analyzes the setup status of public toilets in foreign MRT stations. Domestic MRT systems like Taipei MRT, KRT, and High Speed Rail are adopted as examples of case study. The use and current setup status of station-owned public toilets is investigated. The regulations and norms for the space of already built public toilets and setup number of sanitary ware are examined and compared. The established contrast chart of number estimate for sanitary facilities is studied. Thereafter the effectiveness is analyzed and checked based on this scale. Humane design issue of service space in restroom for the disabled, parents with infants’ restroom, and nursery room is discussed according to principles of rationality and economy. The conclusion is compiled as follows after the discussion of key issues. 1. This study has probed into the queuing up condition for going to toilet for Taipei and Kaohsiung MRT systems. The average waiting time which is acceptable to interviewees is within 2 minutes. Some reasons for queuing up result from waiting for squatting toilets in further interviews with female users. It appears that most people in Taiwan still favor squatting toilets while using public restrooms. 2. The design of public toilets in foreign MRT stations partially adopt surface ratio. Nonetheless, number of women’s toilet device will be slightly less than men’s in restrooms with identical surface. Some countries apply set-up principle of 1:1 but the ratio and number of women’s toilets has been gradually increased in recent years. 3. This study uses service rate of sanitary facilities as basic standard and coordinates with the investigation of various data for current status. An estimate model is established according to rationality and economy. The contrast chart of adjustment suggestions for the set-up number of sanitary utensils is then proposed. The effectiveness of MRT systems in planning is evaluated and analyzed. This research has also pointed out and explained the key problems of design planning for future public toilets in MRT stations. The recommendation for configuration planning and ratio of sanitary utensils’ number is proffered according to rationality and economy. We hope future public restrooms may all accord with the objectives of energy saving, carbon reduction, and sustainability in environmental protection.

394 Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Architecture & Building Research Institute of the Ministry of the Interior of Taiwan (ABRI) and the National Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC99- 2221-E-011-087) for financially supporting this research.

6 Reference 1. National Standard Plumbing Code/National Association of Plumbing-Heating- Cooling Contractors/1987.2 2. Frank, Ming-Hsiu, Wu,Application of Universal Design Concept for Urban Environment and Disable Toilet, September 10, 2009 3. Frank, Ming-Hsiu, Wu, The Ratio of Male to Female Toilets at Public Restrooms in Taiwan. 4. C.L. Cheng, A Revolution of Toilet Regulation in Taiwan Building Code for Gender Equality, 2008 World Toilet Summit 5. Frank, Ming-Hsiu, Wu, Research of sanitation implements regulation in building code, Taiwan Toilet Association committed research report, Ministry of Interior, 2006. 6. Cheng, C. L., Legislation Trend of Toilet Water Conservation ---low-flush toilets for international standardization tendency, 3th WORLD TOILET SUMMIT 2003, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. Cheng, C. L., Taiwan Toilet Performance and Some Technical Issues of Sanitary Concerns, 5th WORLD TOILET SUMMIT 2005, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. 8. Cheng, C. L., Current Movements and Sanitation of Toilet issues in Taiwan : A Brief Report of Devotion Activity and Vision of TTA, 7th WORLD TOILET SUMMIT 2007, New Dali, India. 9. Gender Education MOE, http://www.gender.edu.tw/ 10. The center for the study of sexualities, National Central University, http://sex.ncu.edu.tw/english/english.htm 11. Research center of gender and space, National Taiwan University, http://www.bp.ntu.edu.tw/WebUsers/hdbih/new_page_5.htm

Presentation of Authors

Wan-Ju Liao is the Ph.D student at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture.

395 Cheng-Li Cheng is Professor at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture. He is a researcher and published widely on a range of water supply and drainage in building. He has published extensively on a range of sustainable issues, including the water and energy conservation for green building.

Kuen-Chi He is the researcher and Post Doctor at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture.

Frank, Ming Hsiu Wu architect is the honor chairman of Taiwan Toilet Association. And the Principal of M.H. Wu and Associates, Architects and Planner. He has been promoting to study the relationship of man and environment from the angle of environmental psychology, as well as designing humanized architectures and environment based on analysis of human behaviors.

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