Portable toilets will be on hand - nearly 5,000 of them - for Barack Obama's inauguration. WASHINGTON - Here's a tip for the masses heading to Washington for Barack Obama's inauguration: BYOTP - bring your own toilet paper - and be prepared to hold your breath. The bathroom facilities being hauled onto the National Mall and along the Pennsylvania Ave. parade route will be functional, but not exactly charmin'. About 5,000 unheated, unlit, nonflushing "standard" portable toilets are being deployed by inaugural planners for the estimated 4 million folks expected for the historic swearing in. "Our goal is to make it as enjoyable a day as possible. That means having the resources [portable johns] on hand," said Inaugural Committee spokesman Kevin Griffith. He said each portable toilet will be "serviced," or bailed out, at least once during the events. The rule of thumb for the National Park Service is one portable toilet for every 300 people at outdoor events, which would translate into an expected crowd of about 1.5 million. The largest previous record crowd for an inaugural was believed to be the 1.2 million at the 1965 inauguration of the late President Lyndon B. Johnson. Most of the 12 museums around the Mall, and their restrooms, also will be open. But the bathrooms on the Metro subway system will be closed. Some 4,000-5,000 National Guard troops have been assigned to crowd - and porta-john line - control. "We're planning for this to be a very peaceful process," said National Guard Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz. VIPs will be able to answer nature's call in the lap of luxury compared to the masses. The senators, representatives and lucky ticket-holders permitted inside the tightest security cordon around the Capitol building will have access to portable toilets that are heated and well-lit, have hot and cold running water - and flush. Credit: Richard Sisk [rsisk@nydailynews.com] Source: Daily News