Arizona Construction Entrance/exit BPM
Beautiful desert landscapes, Ponderosa pine forests, rolling plains, and snowcapped mountains define the Grand Canyon State. Arizona’s diverse environment supports a large agricultural industry that depends on the quality of lakes, reservoirs, and surface waters to sustain crops and livestock. Protecting these water resources is a shared responsibility among residents, contractors, and industry, particularly as construction activity continues to expand across the state.
Arizona NPDES Stormwater Permits
In Arizona, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program under the authority of the Clean Water Act. Construction activities that disturb one acre or more of land are required to obtain stormwater permit coverage prior to beginning land-disturbing work. Most projects receive coverage under Arizona’s Construction General Permit (CGP), identified as AZG2020-001.
To obtain permit coverage, operators must develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP identifies potential sources of stormwater pollution and outlines Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent sediment and other pollutants from leaving the construction site. ADEQ reviews permit coverage and inspects sites to verify that SWPPPs are properly implemented and that BMPs remain effective as site conditions change.
Stabilized Construction Entrance BMP Details
One of the most common sources of stormwater pollution on construction sites is vehicle trackout. Soil, dust, and debris carried off-site by construction vehicles can be deposited onto paved roadways, where they are easily washed into storm drains and surface waters during rain events. To address this risk, stabilized construction entrances are typically required at access points where vehicles exit the site.
A stabilized construction entrance is designed to remove sediment from vehicle tires before they reach public roads. These entrances are installed early in the construction schedule and must be maintained throughout the project. In addition to the entrance itself, contractors are required to perform regular inspections and conduct street sweeping or scraping whenever sediment is tracked onto adjacent roadways.
Traditional stabilized construction entrances in Arizona often consist of a coarse aggregate tracking pad installed over filter fabric to improve stability and reduce rutting. Over time, aggregate entrances can become compacted or clogged with sediment, reducing their effectiveness and increasing maintenance demands. During wet or high-traffic conditions, additional measures such as tire washing may be required to maintain compliance with permit requirements.
FODS Trackout Control System
The FODS Trackout Control System is a reusable alternative to traditional aggregate-based construction entrances. The system consists of modular composite mats designed to remove sediment from vehicle tires as equipment exits the job site. The surface features of the mats deform tire treads, allowing trapped soil and debris to break free and collect below the contact surface.
Because FODS does not rely on aggregate, it eliminates the need for ongoing stone replacement and reduces the risk of loose rock being tracked or ejected onto active roadways. The mats can be installed without excavation and placed over soil, asphalt, or concrete, making them well-suited for a wide range of project conditions, including urban and space-constrained sites.
A common configuration used in Arizona is a 1×5T layout, providing approximately 35 feet of stabilized exit length and a wide turning radius for exiting traffic. The system can be relocated and reused across multiple phases of construction or projects, offering long-term cost savings. Maintenance is performed by removing accumulated sediment that builds up between the surface features of the mats, typically using a street sweeper, a broom attachment, or manual tools. With a service life of 10 years or more, the FODS Trackout Control System supports compliance with Arizona stormwater regulations while reducing material waste and maintenance requirements.
