Caltrans Approves FODS Trackout Control Mats for Statewide Use on Construction Sites
CalTrans Grants Approval for FODS Trackout Control Mats on Construction Sites Across the State
Effective stormwater management on California construction sites is governed by strict regulatory frameworks established by agencies such as the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA). These organizations set the standards for erosion and sediment control through documents like the Caltrans Stormwater Special Provisions and CASQA’s BMP Handbook, which is widely adopted across the state. In this highly regulated environment, contractors are required to implement best management practices (BMPs) that not only comply with NPDES permit requirements but also support air and water quality goals. After used and observed on numerus projects across the state of California, FODS Trackout Control Mats have emerged as a proven solution. FODS have been found to minimize sediment trackout, reduce airborne dust, and ensure regulatory compliance, while also lowering costs and improving jobsite efficiency.
In a major advancement for sustainable construction practices and stormwater compliance, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) formally approved the use of FODS Trackout Control Mats as part of its stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in September 2024. This approval came through a revision to the Encroachment Permit Stormwater Special Provisions for Minimal or No Impact (SWSP), which now includes FODS in Section 19, alongside gravel and steel rumble plates, as approved materials for stabilizing temporary construction entrances and exits (Caltrans TC-1). The updated language reads: “Temporary construction entrances/exits are required to be stabilized and may include gravel, rumble plates, and/or FODS.” This endorsement from one of the most influential state transportation agencies in the country marks a significant milestone in the broader adoption of innovative, reusable sediment control technologies.
Sediment Control in California
Cal-Trans I-10 Project
Caltrans' inclusion of FODS reflects a broader shift in the agency's approach to erosion and sediment control - one that emphasizes performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Traditionally, stabilized construction entrances in California have relied on rock pads composed of 80 to 100 tons of imported aggregate. These systems are not only labor-intensive to install and remove, but also generate large amounts of waste and carbon emmissions, require heavy machinery, and must be completely rebuilt for each new project. By contrast, FODS mats are lightweight, modular, and manufactured from durable HDPE that can withstand over one million passes by fully loaded construction vehicles. The system requires no excavation or aggregate, installs in under 30 minutes, and can be cleaned, stacked, and redeployed across dozens of sites for more than a decade.
The Field Test
The effectiveness of FODS was validated in a third-party analysis published in The Monthly Dirt newsletter (June 2024), which compared traditional rock entrances and steel rumble plates to FODS systems on a site in northern California. The report found that a typical rock entrance costs approximately was $12,060 for the first project, and cannot be reused, resulting in full reinstallation costs on every new site. The rock was also noted to lose effectiveness after a few vehicle passes pushed the rock into the ground. By comparison, the FODS system paid for itself in just one project and could be reused for over 10 years. The pyramids remained proud, ensuring tire-cleaning abilities did not decrease as vehicles continued to travel over the mats. The steel rumble plates also evaluated were found to not provide as much pressure on the tires a FODS, thus limiting sediment removal. The analysis also noted significant operational savings and improved safety when FODS were utilized, proving FODS to provide both cost-savings and increased effectiveness compared rock and steel rumble plate TC-1 methods.
LAX Rental Car Facility Expansion Project
Overcoming Environmental Challenges:
Beyond its role in stormwater protection, FODS also supports compliance with air quality management guidelines, particularly in regions regulated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The South Coast Air Basin, encompassing Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, is subject to strict PM10 (particulate matter ≤10 microns) control measures. Under SCAQMD Rule 403, construction sites must minimize fugitive dust emissions, including visible trackout onto public roadways. FODS mats mechanically remove sediment from vehicle tires, significantly reducing the potential for PM10-laden dust to become airborne or be crushed into paved surfaces. By reducing the need for sweeping and preventing visible trackout, FODS directly contributes to Rule 403 compliance and helps protect air quality in one of the most heavily regulated air basins in the United States.
These benefits have already been demonstrated on high-profile Caltrans projects. During the multi-phase Interstate 10 “Tune-Up” project an extensive corridor rehabilitation effort in Southern California, Lane - Security Paving Joint Venture deployed over 100 FODS mats to manage sediment and debris across multiple access points to create the Stabilized Construction Entrance/ Exit (TC-1). The project team cited the system’s ease of use, portability, and compliance performance as critical advantages. FODS allowed the JV to maintain stormwater and air quality compliance while reducing labor and minimizing disruption on one of the state’s most heavily trafficked corridors.
FODS in California
FODS Trackout Control Mats have also been deployed successfully on several other major Caltrans projects, including the 5760 Interchange Project in Diamond Bar, California High-Speed Rail in Sacramento, Caltrans CA-99 corridor improvements, the I-5 Oso Parkway Project in La Jolla, and Highway 50 upgrades in Sacramento. In each of these cases, the mats delivered measurable operational efficiencies, reduced environmental impact, and improved site compliance under both NPDES and AQMD frameworks.
Caltrans’ approval of FODS as a BMP within the SWSP reflects not only confidence in the system’s performance but also a forward-thinking approach to regulatory compliance. By helping contractors meet both water quality and air quality mandates while lowering total cost of ownership FODS sets a new standard for construction site access and sediment control in California. As demand grows for smarter, more sustainable BMPs across Caltrans and CASQA monitored projects, FODS continues to lead the way in environmental stewardship, compliance assurance, and long-term savings.
ABOUT FODS, LLC.
Based in Centennial Colorado, FODS is working to replace ineffective and costly traditional rock stabilized construction entrances, saving you time and money. Our proprietary mat design works to effectively remove debris from your vehicle tires without damaging the tire or the ground’s surface. FODS Vehicle Trackout Controls BMP mats are 100% Made In the USA and 100% recyclable.
To find out more information on how we can help your project stay on schedule and in compliance contact 844-968-3541 or email us at info@getfods.com.