An electronic screen shows the real-time number of users at a public toilet in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, will upgrade 100 public toilets in the city as part of its three-year public toilet upgrading program which began in 2018.

Xiacheng district in Hangzhou plans to renovate and upgrade 20 public toilets through the use of digital technology. The district has developed a smart management platform which collects and analyzes real-time data generated at public toilets in the city.

After a year-long trial, the platform has collected 130,000 pieces of data from eight public toilets in Xiacheng.

The smart platform provides managers with real-time information about the cleanliness of a particular public toilet as well as real-time information about users of the toilet.

The exterior of a public toilet located in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

It only takes 30 seconds for sensors installed at the public toilets to detect if someone is smoking. A warning will then be given automatically, reminding them not to smoke in order to maintain a clean environment.

In addition, six toilets in Xiacheng have been equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) in case of emergency.

All cubicles at the 20 toilets will have access to an alarm system through which users can call the police in case of emergency.

Citizens can score the public toilets and provide feedback on an electronic screen outside each stall, allowing managers to improve the toilets as needed.