California Stabilized Construction Entrance/Exit TC-1

In California, the Clean Water Act is administered through the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), collectively known as Water Boards. The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) is a professional member association that advises the Water Boards on best practices for stormwater management.

The Water Boards issue NPDES Stormwater Permits, also called waste discharge requirements (WDRs), that regulate discharges to waters of the United States. Each permit application must include a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which specifies the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be used to mitigate pollution. Construction sites, industrial sites, municipalities, and government departments must obtain an NPDES Stormwater Permit.

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CalTrans SWPPP and BMP Resources

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has developed comprehensive stormwater and water pollution control resources that guide Caltrans staff and highway contractors through the planning and permitting. SWPPP and WPCP template, SWPPP/WPCP Prepration Manual, and a BMP Handbook that inclues techniques to mitigate pollution.

The BMP Handbook includes detailed specifications for the pollution prevention techniques that can be implemented to fulfill the NPDES requirements. BMPs can provide contractors with recommendations about maintenance schedules and information on being proactive about common issues.

BMPs handbooks can provide contractors with recommendations about maintenance schedules and information on being proactive about common issues.

Stormwater Details and Drawings: TC-1 Stabilized Construction Entrance/Exit

Section 6.1 of the Construction Site Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual is referred to as the TC-1, or Trackout Control 1. The TC-1 outlines applications, limitations and techniques for stabilizing temporary construction entrance/exit points on the job site where dirt or mud can be tracked onto public roads. Two types of construction entrances are mentioned. Type 1 is a aggregate based entrance, while type two is a hybrid construction entrance consisting of aggregate and steel plates. Drawings of Type 1 and Type 2 entrances are provided in the handbook.

A temporary construction entrance/exit is defined by a point of entrance/exit to a construction site that is stabilized to reduce the tracking of mud and dirt onto public roads by construction vehicles. - CalTrans BMP Handbook TC-1

Construction Entrance/Exits minimize the sediment tracked out of the job site onto impermeable roadways, which are then washed into storm drains. Sediment leaving job sites is often contaminated with oil and toxic compounds, which should be contained.

CalTrans specifies that traditional aggregate-based tracking pads should consist of crushed rock between 3 inches and 6 inches in size, placed over a geotextile fabric. The entrance should be at least 50’ long and include a wide turning radius. All traffic is required to use a stabilized entrance, and the entrance should be built to support the largest vehicles accessing the site.

The use of aggregate is a traditional method to stabilize ingress and egress locations at construction sites. As mud and sediment build up in the aggregate, less sediment is removed by passing vehicle tires. The effectiveness of a traditional rock tracking pad largely depends on the frequency of refreshes and additional top dressing placed over the stabilized entrance. For projects involving excavation, wet conditions, or soil containing clay, resident engineers (RE) will often spec a combination of trackout solutions, including an aggregate tracking pad with a wheel wash or manufactured solution.

FODS Reusable Construction Entrance Mats

FODS introduces a modern and effective solution to trackout control that is both low maintenance and environmentally friendly. Mats are designed to be installed as a standalone stabilized construction entrance and can be placed directly on unexcavated soil, concrete or asphalt. Installation can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Passing vehicle tires are deformed by the pyramids to open the lugs and allow sediment to fall onto the mats. When sediment fills the voids between the pyramids a street sweeper or shovel is used to easily clean the mats to restore operation.

The design of FODS mats allows contractors to easily refresh their construction entrance after heavy traffic and adverse weather. Because FODS construction entrance mats are reusable, they can be moved to new locations for each phase of the project or subsequent projects. The low maintenance costs and a 10+ year expected service life provides an industry leading Total Cost of Ownership.

Risks of Vehicle Trackout On Roadways

Safety is always a concern when it comes to trackout on active roadways. Traditional aggregate solutions pose the risk of rocks and debris entering the roadway or becoming lodged between between tires or inside of tire lugs. Aggregate and sediment tracked onto roadways poses a risk to drivers, flaggers and vehicles. In addition, trapped rocks and debris can be expelled at high velocites after the vehicle enters the roadway. The Caltrans Field Manual mentions the risk of larger vehicles tracking aggregate material and recomends larger aggregate to mitigate this risk.

The FODS Trackout Control System usus a rockless technique to clean vehilce tires and does not impose the same risk of injuries or liability associated with aggregate based construction entrances. FODS mats are effective at minizing sediment trackout from vehicles of all sizes without imposing the additional risk of introducing aggregate to the roadway.

Each FODS mat is fully recyclable and reduces the environmental impact from aggregate production, transportation and disposal.