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Trackout Mats
DiamondTrack trackout mats are a reusable HDPE composite alternative to rock construction exits. The raised diamond tread scrubs tires so mud and sediment drop before trucks reach public roads — helping you meet SWPPP requirements and cut street-sweeping and cleanup costs. Free shipping on every order.
Trackout control · SWPPP best practices · Field guide
Trackout Mats: The Complete Guide to Clean, Compliant Construction Exits
A trackout mat is a reusable pad placed at a construction entrance or exit to knock mud and sediment off vehicle tires before they reach the public road. DiamondTrack trackout mats are a rugged HDPE composite alternative to rock construction exits — the raised diamond tread flexes and scrubs each tire so material drops on-site instead of getting tracked onto the street. This guide covers what a trackout mat is, where it fits, how to size it, how to install it, and how to keep it working.
Need trackout mats for a specific entrance? Use the sizing examples below, or run your exit dimensions through the calculator, then shop the collection — request volume pricing for multi-mat projects.
Tip: If your SWPPP calls out a "stabilized construction exit," trackout mats are a common rockless option when you want something reusable and quick to deploy.
What Is a Trackout Mat?
A trackout mat — also called a rumble mat or trackout control mat — is installed at site entrances and exits to reduce the mud and sediment that vehicles carry onto paved roads. DiamondTrack is built as a reusable HDPE composite trackout mat with raised diamond features that create a slight tire deformation ("flex and scrub") to help dislodge sediment as trucks roll across.
Unlike a rock construction exit that scatters and constantly needs replenishing, a composite trackout mat can be lifted, cleaned, and redeployed from job to job. In plain terms: it's a rugged "tire-scrub zone" you reuse instead of rebuild.
Composite, not consumable: a reusable HDPE trackout mat replaces rock entrances that constantly need topping up.
Geometry does the work: the raised diamond profile increases contact and shear so material drops earlier — before vehicles reach the street.
Where Trackout Mats Work Best
- Busy construction entrances/exits where street sweeping and neighbor complaints pile up quickly.
- Utility and municipal projects with frequent in/out traffic and tight compliance standards.
- Residential developments where trackout becomes a daily headache during earthwork.
- Any site under SWPPP / NPDES requirements that needs a stabilized construction exit and cleaner roadways.
How Many Trackout Mats Do I Need?
Fast sizing math: Mats needed = (Exit Width × Exit Length) ÷ 84, rounded up to the next whole trackout mat. For a typical two-lane exit, many crews plan widths of 12–24 ft and lengths of 24–48 ft+ depending on soil type and traffic volume. On fine soils (sticky clay) or in wet stretches, going longer is usually the easiest way to reduce carryout.
| Common entrance layout | Width × Length | Total area | Typical mats needed | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-lane exit | 12 ft × 36 ft | 432 ft² | 6 mats (1 wide × 3 long) | Light-to-moderate truck frequency, limited footprint |
| Single-lane, longer scrub zone | 12 ft × 48 ft | 576 ft² | 7 mats (1 wide × 4 long) | Sticky soils, wet seasons, or higher trackout risk |
| Two-lane exit | 24 ft × 36 ft | 864 ft² | 11 mats (2 wide × 3 long) | Two-way traffic, large deliveries, peak pours/hauls |
| Two-lane, heavier conditions | 24 ft × 48 ft | 1,152 ft² | 14 mats (2 wide × 4 long) | High traffic + fine soils + frequent rain |
Faster: skip the math and run your exit dimensions through the Trackout Mat Calculator for an instant mat count.
Subgrade & staging tips
- Start with a firm, level base: compacted soil, asphalt, or concrete — sweep loose debris first.
- Plan the turning radius: trackout mats work best when vehicles cross straight and steady.
- Stage near the entrance: place bundles close to the gate to reduce handling time.
- Build a cleaning routine: pressure-wash when buildup reduces tire-scrub effectiveness.
How to Install a Trackout Mat (Step-by-Step)
A trackout mat installs fast on a well-prepared base — no rock delivery, spreading, or removal. The goal is a flat, stable scrub zone that tires hit the moment they leave the site.
- Mark the footprint: define entrance width and target length (see the sizing table above).
- Prep the base: grade and compact so mats sit flat and don't "see-saw."
- Start at the roadway edge: place the first trackout mat flush to pavement so tires hit the scrub zone immediately.
- Build to length: add mats to extend the scrub zone — longer is usually better for muddy soils.
- Check edges and transitions: confirm tight, stable placement to reduce wobble under turning forces.
- Optional restraint: add edge restraint or staking where turning forces are high.
Rule of thumb: still getting trackout? Fix it by (1) lengthening the mat zone, (2) improving base prep/compaction, and/or (3) adding a rinse station upstream for extreme mud.
Why Choose a Reusable Trackout Mat?
Better tire scrub
Raised diamond features increase contact and shear so mud drops sooner — before trucks reach the road.
Built to be reused
HDPE composite construction is engineered for repeated crossings and redeployment from job to job.
Lower hidden costs
Helps cut street sweeping, catch-basin maintenance, and end-of-job cleanup versus a rock exit.
Rockless logistics
Clean it, move it, keep going — no rock pile to deliver, spread, or haul away at the end.
Compliance context: many stormwater BMP references describe stabilized construction exits as a way to reduce sediment leaving the site. Trackout mats are commonly used as a reusable, rockless approach when you want quick deployment and easy relocation.
Case Study: Two-Lane Trackout Mat Exit on a Subdivision Build-Out
Scenario: a residential site wanted a cleaner roadway and less daily maintenance at the main gate. The team replaced a rock exit with a two-lane trackout mat layout sized for frequent concrete trucks, dump trucks, and pickups.
What changed: with a consistent scrub zone and quick wash-downs as needed, visible trackout dropped, street-sweeping frequency fell, and the crew avoided ongoing rock replenishment and end-of-phase rock removal.
Note: results vary by soil type, rain frequency, traffic volume, and how well the base/transition to the roadway is prepared.
DiamondTrack Trackout Mat Spec Snapshot
| Mat size | 7 ft × 12 ft × 3.75 in |
| Coverage per mat | 84 ft² |
| Approx. weight | 435 lb per mat |
| Load rating (per diamond feature) | Up to ~800 psi (subsurface-dependent) |
| Material | HDPE composite (reusable and recyclable) |
| Common use cases | Construction entrances/exits, utilities, municipal, energy, and development projects |
Jobsite Checklist: Keep Your Trackout Control Working
- Base is firm + levelIf mats rock, tire scrub drops and edges can shift under turning.
- Enough length for your conditionsSticky soils and wet weather usually need a longer scrub zone.
- Roadway transition is tightStart mats at the pavement edge so tires hit the control area immediately.
- Clean when buildup appearsPressure-wash to restore the "bite" of the diamond profile.
Trackout Mat FAQs
Are trackout mats an alternative to a rock construction entrance?
How long should the trackout mat zone be?
Do I need to anchor or stake the mats?
What's the easiest way to clean and reuse them?
What core specs go in my submittal?
Related terms: trackout mats, trackout control mats, stabilized construction exit, SWPPP compliance, rumble mats, construction entrance BMP, sediment track-out control.
Size your trackout mat exit in minutes
Run your entrance dimensions through the calculator for an instant mat count, then order — every order ships free.