Full-service stations used to be the mainstay for automobile drivers. You could pull right in and have your gas pumped, windows washed and your oil checked. People dressed in their Sunday best enjoyed the convenience of someone else pumping their gas.
Self-service came along and offered drivers a chance to save some money. Pump it yourself and the extra money stays in your pocket. Self-service caught on and full-service stations started to go out of business.
Those that wanted their gas pumped for them had to shop around just to find a full-service station. People in their Sunday best and people with disabilities were being short changed by the convenience of the day.
Just a few months ago, there were still 3 full service stations in the Green Bay area. Now there is only one I know of.
Even without the Americans with Disabilities Act, some self-service stations realized through their customers that some people needed help with pumping their gas. Stations with two or more attendants on duty were more than happy to come out and help pump gas. The drawback to this type of service was that the person asking for assistance had to get out of their vehicle to ask for assistance.
Now there is a solution to that problem as well. Just as you have “pay at the pump” convenience, on some pumps there is a button to let the gas station attendant know you need assistance. While this sounds like a good idea, there’s one drawback.
From the pumps I’ve seen it on, the button is placed rather high on the pump. If you’re driving a full sized van the button is probably just right. You just need to park close enough to reach it if you can. If you’re driving a smaller vehicle or can’t reach the button from the van you’d have to get out just to press the button.
I applaud gas station owners that are taking the initiative to creating solutions for people with disabilities. It’s hard to find a perfect solution, but to be looking is where it starts.
The latest idea off the drawing boards and in a select few gas stations are the fully automatic gas stations. It’s similar to an automated car wash.
You drive up and pay for how much gas you want. Then the machine takes over. It scans your car type to determine where the gas tank is. It opens the gas tank and unscrews the cap. After pumping the gas, it screws the cap back on and closes the tank cover and away you go.
While this new type of gas station isn’t in Wisconsin yet, you can be ensured it will be. The people dressed in their Sunday best won’t have to get out of their cars again. It’ll be just like the old days.
Technology can really improve our way of living, but only when it includes everyone. Don’t be surprised that if in your lifetime you hear about a car that does all the driving for you. Yesterday’s science-fiction is today’s technology.
