People are just discovering why public restroom doors don’t reach all the way to the floor — and there are actually several practical reasons.
The gap improves safety by making it easier to help someone during an emergency or escape if a lock gets stuck. It also improves ventilation and allows unpleasant odors to clear more easily.
There’s another simple reason: cleaning. The open space makes it easier for staff to mop underneath the stalls, while shorter doors are also cheaper to manufacture, install and replace.
The gap can also make it easier to see which stalls are occupied, discourage vandalism and help keep lines moving in busy public restrooms. What looks like a strange design choice is actually meant to make public bathrooms safer, cleaner and more efficient.