Construction is a tough industry with very specific requirements. Clean site access is critical to maintaining safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. The standard method for clearing dirt and debris from vehicle tires as they leave the site has been to use rock trackout pads, which are essentially rock-filled construction zone exits. However, more recent options offer better results at lower costs and an added advantage of environmental care.
Unlike traditional rock pads, reusable composite mats have a long lifespan of up to ten years, require no replacement, and require very little maintenance, which lowers long-term costs significantly.
The three primary advantages are:
They also guarantee better compliance with environmental standards and offer superior sediment removal, avoiding potentially expensive fines.
Rock trackout pads have been the default choice for decades. So, what are rock trackout pads exactly? They consist of large, angular rocks laid on top of a geotextile fabric to stabilize the exit point of a construction site.
When vehicles pass over the rock pad, mud, dirt, and other debris are expected to fall off the tires and remain on-site. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this method depends on several factors that are often out of workers’ control, such as:
Traditional rock trackout systems can cause several issues. Some of the primary problems associated with their use are:
Over time, the rocks in these trackout pads compact, and dirt builds up on the surface. These types of trackouts need constant turnover of the rocks to maintain their effectiveness, as well as frequent replacements, which is not the greatest when it comes to efficiency.
Rock trackout pads frequently fail to keep all debris from exiting the site, which allows soil and other pollutants to reach neighboring public roads and waterways, causing harm to the environment and possibly incurring fines.
Once a project is complete, removing the rocks used for this method and cleaning up the site requires significant labor and time. Using rocks is costly in terms of manpower and potential delays in project timelines.
Despite these efforts, rock trackouts still leave construction sites susceptible to fines and penalties due to environmental violations, especially under the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
DiamondTrack™ reusable construction exit mats offer a cutting-edge solution to the problems posed by traditional rock systems. These portable composite mats have a special diamond-shaped surface intended to effectively and efficiently remove dirt, mud, and other debris from vehicle tires. Here are 5 reasons why they are the better option:
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), the material used to make DiamondTrack reusable construction exit mats, offers exceptional strength and durability. Compared to other trackout mats, the diamond-shaped features on each mat provide 30% more surface area for tire contact, with an ultimate crush strength of 45,000 lbs per diamond feature rating of 800 psi – depending on subsurface conditions. This design ensures that various truck tires can deform elastically, forcing sediment off and keeping public roads clean.
DiamondTrack mats don't need to be replenished like rock pads. They are virtually maintenance-free from the initial installation and can be left in place for the duration of the project, which considerably lowers long-term expenses.
One of the key features of composite mats for construction is their reusability. They can be cleaned and reused on multiple job sites for up to 10 years, providing a substantial return on investment. To give you an idea, in contrast, rock trackout pads must be discarded after each project, resulting in higher and repeated costs.
Without the need for large machinery, DiamondTrack mats can be quickly installed across various surfaces, including unexcavated soil, concrete, asphalt, and pavement. This flexibility streamlines both the installation and removal process, saving time and reducing labor costs at the end of the project.
DiamondTrack helps contractors meet SWPPP requirements for Stabilized Construction Exits (SCE) and other Best Management Practices (BMP). By preventing sediment from leaving the site, these mats eliminate the risk of non-compliance fines and reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.
Let’s take into consideration the importance of not only the upfront costs but also the long-term savings. Rock trackout pads may seem cheaper initially due to the availability of materials, but the ongoing expenses can add up quickly. When you add up the additional expenses of:
They can quickly exceed the initial investment in choosing a long-lasting, high-quality composite mat solution. The clear winner is DiamondTrack reusable construction exit mats, designed to last up to 10 years and provide a quick return on investment after just a few uses.
The fact that reusable construction exit mats are good for the environment is another major benefit. Composite mats reduce the amount of waste that reaches public roads and rivers by preventing trackouts more effectively than rock pads. Not only assisting contractors in meeting environmental criteria but also helping to shield ecosystems from damaging chemicals. Composite mats have multiple sustainable benefits:
Contractors need innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. DiamondTrack offers a superior alternative to traditional rock trackout systems to reduce project costs, improve compliance, and enhance safety on construction job sites.
Adopting composite matting solutions is essential not only on construction sites but across industries. Whether it's DiamondTrack™, MegaDeck® HD+, SignaRoad®, or DuraDeck®, the Signature Systems team is here to assist you with selecting the safest, most efficient composite mats for your business. Contact us for a consultation with one of our experts.