Georgia DOT & GSWCC Approve FODS As Construction Exit (Co) Alternative

FODS In Use Throughout Georgia As Both GSWCC & GDOT Move To Approve FODS As Construction Exit (Co) BMP

Georgia DOT and Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Approve FODS For Use

The FODS Trackout Control System is a modern solution to a common challenge faced by construction & industrial operators across the country. Since the introduction of FODS, engineers now have an additional solution to choose from when selecting a Construction Exit (Co) BMP to minimize vehicle sediment tracking on their Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans. Recently, the the FODS system was approved by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) and now the Georgia DOT has also approved the system for use.

While FODS have been in use in every state for some time, approval from both the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) and Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) makes it easier for contractors and engineers to use the system on future projects in the state. The GSWCC has had the opportunity to see the system in use on numerous heavy civil, highway, and commercial applications and compare the performance to traditional BMP methods. As a result, FODS have been added to the GSWCC’s Equivalent BMP List which approves the use of the system in place of traditional Construction Exit (Co), enabling contractors to choose to use and reuse their FODS Mats on every project. 

In addition to cost savings, replacing a traditional rock entrance with the FODS Trackout Control System enables contractors to improve safety and increase compliance with stormwater regulations. The improved performance often results in reduced street sweeping and labor, while the reusable nature of the system also offers long term cost savings. The elimination of rock at the site entrance also minimizes the risk of stray aggregate entering the roadway. Contractors and Industrial site operators benefit from consistent site entrance maintenance by incorporating the construction entrance into the existing street sweeping schedule.

"Approval by the Georgia DOT and GSWCC is a significant achievement for the FODS Trackout Control System," said Nathan Barker, Director of Business Development of FODS LLC. "We feel that approval by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission,  the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the many other regulatory approvals FODS has received, demonstrates that our reusable system is now being widely recognized as an more effective solution for stopping construction site track out and preventing stormwater pollution."

With the recent approval from the Georgia DOT, construction operators can make use of FODS to improve safety and reduce costs. Linear highway projects can benefit in multiple areas from the portable, rock-less design of the FODS Trackout Control System. Compared to traditional aggregate systems, FODS also improves safety by reducing stray rocks which could enter the active lanes and cause hazards to vehicles traveling through the construction zone. In addition, Highway construction projects often require multiple access points during each phase. It is not uncommon for plans to include hundreds of construction access locations throughout the scope of the project. When using the FODS Trackout Control System, operators benefit from being able to redeploy entrances in new locations as work continues throughout the project which in turn can provide cost savings for taxpayers. 

Projects In Georgia Using FODS

JE Dunn - Atlanta Metro Area

In Atlanta, Georgia, a new luxury apartment complex was built for AMLI Residential. Completed in 2019, the structure consists of a 24 story tower and five-story mid-rise, and a precast parking deck with 665 spaces. The tower and mid-rise provide a total of 391 one, two and three bedroom units luxury apartment units. The 720,000 square foot project was constructed by JE Dunn with architect Cooper Carry.

Decatur, GA - Resia Uses FODS Trackout Control Mats To Minimize Vehicle Trackout At Construction Site Access Points

To minimize construction vehicle tracking, JE Dunn deployed the FODS Trackout Control System at multiple entrance locations throughout the project. FODS mats can be installed over aggregate or directly on the substrate, and can also be used as a base for a wheel wash system. The FODS System helps to minimize vehicle tracking and also aids in reducing stray rocks from tracking into the roadway during construction activity. The system has a 10+ year expected service life, so mats can be reused on multiple projects.

Resia - Decatur, GA

On the eastern side of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, Resia (formerly known as AHS Residential) has started project which will bring a new 476-unit multifamily to Decatur, GA by 2025. Located on Memorial Drive, the project includes five seven-story structures, and will offer one, two, and three bedroom floor plans which all include modern finishes and will have access to community amenities, parking and a swimming pool and fitness center in the planned clubhouse.

Resia is using FODS Trackout Control System at site exit points to minimize vehicle tracking. The system is a high performance, modern solution can be deployed and relocated throughout each project phase. Compared to traditional aggregate based systems, the FODS System is designed to be reused on multiple projects, and is easy to maintain which enables contractors to keep roadways clean and compliant with NPDES requirements throughout the duration of the project.

FODS Construction Entrance Details

The FODS Trackout Control System consists of reusable, portable, and durable matting which is configured to meet the needs of each site. Each FODS Trackout Control Mat (TCM) is a 12’ wide x 7’ long durable HDPE sheet which is formed into pyramids on the surface. The pyramids work to flex vehicle tires to dislodge sediment and debris between tire lugs. The system has a built-in ramp on each side for easy access on and off the mats for small passenger vehicles and construction vehicles alike. In addition, each FODS mat can hold well over 1,000,000 lbs, which is suitable for land development projects where larger Off-Highway equipment is used. Maintenance is most often completed by cleaning the mats with the existing street sweeping methods used for the roadway.

In addition to reduced costs, the system helps contractors increase compliance with SWPPP requirements. The system is maintained by a simple cleaning which is often performed by a street sweeper or a skid steer with a broom attachment. The maintenance of the FODS system is often incorporated into the existing sweeping schedule which proactively keeps all site entrances in a functioning and compliant state throughout the project.

FODS Reusable Construction Entrance offers an advanced alternative that is easy to set up, maintain, and remove. Compared to traditional rock entrances which need frequent refreshing, and degrade quickly in weather conditions, FODS mats do not degrade in weather conditions and enable a more consistent solution to managing construction site trackout.

FODS Tracking Control Device is made of rows of pyramids which actively separate tire lugs causing mud and debris to break loose and collect in the base of the pyramids. With an expected lifespan of 10+ years, the reusability and versatility of FODS entrance systems offer multiple configurations well-suited to changing construction entrance and substrate needs.

Read our Georgia State Resources page for more information.