Feasibility of Digital Applications for Toilet Locating and Monitoring Services in Urban Area
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This study focuses on Swachh Bharat Toilet Locator (SBTL) and Google Maps Toilet Locator (GTL) comparing their feasibility, usability and review system. The study includes feasibility and content analysis of Google Toilet Locator (GTL) in comparison with other toilet locator applications available on the basis of reviews, ratings, comments and downloads with graphical comparison and analysis of data. The sample size includes 5,030 toilets located under 8 ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) i.e. NDMC, EDMC, SDMC, North DMC, Delhi Cantonmentunder Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) and GMC, MCG & Faridabad MC in NCR Region.
The study concluded that feasibility on the basis of number of toilets available are more in Delhi as compared to NCR but when the ratio of application usage or toilet vs review ratio is taken into consideration it was seen that out of 11 toilets in NCR 1 review was recorded which is better than Delhi which is 16 toilet visits – 1 person reviewed. Hence it had been concluded the review system introduced by app is poorly used by user.
Lack of awareness among users is an important factor that government had to take strong note and action. Most google app users use apps for various other navigation tools like to know real time traffic, locating travel route, location near restaurants, hotels etc. None of the users have used google app or any other app to locate public toilet locations. The users may be interested in using such app if mapping of toilet is done on periphery basis of at least 100 meters to 200meters. Most of the apps developed by private or public platform are lacking on this feature. Also, the rating criteria and app language should be in vernacular language so that people can do rating easily. Since most of the users of public toilets on regular basis belong to aspiring class or destitute class, awareness should be created for rating. Usage devices are installed in public toilets in Delhi area for better monitoring of toilet services. It is required to promote toilets and their rating mechanism through display boards, audio-visual devices showing citizen engagement in monitoring cleanliness and hygiene of toilet etc.
Keywords
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