Australia Road and Infrastructure Article May 2025
FODS Trackout Control Mats are once again proving their value on high-profile Australian infrastructure projects—this time as a key sediment control solution for the Eastern Freeway Upgrades: Burke to Tram project in Melbourne. As featured in Roads & Infrastructure Magazine Australia & New Zealand, the article showcases how the Eastern Freeway—Burke to Tram Alliance (EBTA) is leveraging FODS mats to replace outdated rock exits and steel rumble strips with a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable alternative.
With the ability to support up to 80 tonnes and install in under 40 minutes, FODS mats are a game-changer for dynamic construction sites where access points shift frequently. Their reusable design, combined with minimal maintenance requirements, is helping contractors save both time and labor while keeping job sites in compliance with environmental regulations.
The feature includes insights from Senior Environmental Advisor Andris Mclean, who praised the mats for their mobility and performance. As environmental standards tighten across Australia, the EBTA’s adoption of FODS highlights a broader industry move toward efficient, eco-friendly sediment control practices that prioritize both compliance and productivity.
Read the full article by Tom O’Keane here: Australia Roads and Infrastructure May 2025
FODS: Keeping it simple
FODS’ Trackout Control Mats are supporting operations on the Eastern Freeway upgrades: burke to tram project in Melbourne, providing efficiency, ease of use and maintenance, and more. As Senior Environmental Advisor on the project, Andris Mclean, explains.
Sediment control is an essential factor in infrastructure project development.
Sediment runoff can pose major threats to the environment, including water pollution, habitat damage and potential erosion.
It’s one of the many reasons why local and state government authorities have developed strict guidelines around establishing greater control over the working environment of construction sites.
One example is the Victorian Government’s Environmental Management Framework, which outlines the responsibilities and rules for sediment control on a range of project types.
Sustainability and environmental impacts are significant considerations during planning and project delivery for a project like the Eastern Freeway Upgrades in Melbourne.
That’s why the Eastern Freeway –Burke to Tram Alliance (EBTA) initially inquired about Trackout Control Mats, an alternative for traditional infrastructure for site entry and exit.
Andris Mclean, Senior Environmental Advisor (Bulleen Interchange), Eastern Freeway – Burke to Tram Alliance, says his first impression of the product was positive. Its versatility offers greater flexibility and efficiency for the EBTA team.
“I was particularly impressed with their easy mobility and low maintenance requirements,” he says. “Unlike traditional rumble grids, FODS mats are lightweight and can be quickly relocated, which is a huge advantage on a dynamic construction site like EBTA.
Trackout Control Mats provide a mix between performance, versatility and robustness.
“EBTA has been using FODS for just over a year now. Personally, I have been involved with projects that have been using them since the beginning of 2022. During this time, I’ve seen firsthand how they have transformed our operations, especially in terms of efficiency, ease of use and maintenance.”
FODS Trackout Control Mats are among the first durable, reusable, and environmentally friendly trackout systems available in Australia. They provide a simple and highly effective form of sediment control for projects of all sizes.
FODS stands for Foreign Object Design System, which was developed to replace steel rumble strips, steel plates, and rock construction exits.
Where FODS differs is its unique layout of alternating pyramids, each about seven centimetres high. These pyramids are designed to open tyre lugs to loosen and remove sediment from the passing vehicle without causing damage of any kind.
Overall, the mat can support weights of up to 80 tonnes and can be set up in about 30 to 40 minutes, removing the need for sediment traps or excavation.
Mclean says the quick and easy installation process has allowed crews to maintain progress, even when moving site.
“While conventional rumble grids and other tracking solutions still have their place in the market, for a fast-paced project of this scale with changing egress points, FODS mats have proven to be the best solution,” he says.
“With egress points continually changing, FODS have made it much easier to install the mat to an existing egress point, whether that’s asphalt or other hardstand surfaces. This flexibility is a significant improvement over the traditional method of boxing down 150-200 millimetres to install a rumble grid, which is both time-consuming and labour-intensive.
“Their flexibility and ease of use make them a crucial solution in minimising tracking.”
Maintenance for FODS’ Trackout Control Mats typically involves sweeping or shovelling off any accumulated mud or dust, which can be done as part of the regular site cleaning routine.
FODS can also provide a specialised tool developed specifically for upkeep and cleaning. Mclean says the FODS Trackout Control Mats make this step much easier than other sediment control methods.
“In terms of time and cost, the benefits of FODS are substantial,” he says. “Maintenance of a traditional rumble grid would take more than double the time compared to a FODS mat.
“Additionally, the movement of FODS is much easier due to their lightweight design and the ability to stack them. This not only saves time but also reduces labour costs.”
The performance of the FODS Trackout Control Mats has been so positive that the EBTA is already planning on future implementation as construction ramps up on the project.
“We have several areas yet to begin construction. FODS mats will continue to be a key aspect of our mitigation strategy to minimise tracking onto public roads,” Mclean says.
“As we move into the next phase of the project, we plan on deploying FODS mats at new egress points.”
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