Trackway Mats for Desert Sites: How to Plan a Temporary Road

23 October, 2026 | Admin

top-rated ground protection mats manufacturer in saudi arabia

Short answer: To plan a temporary road with trackway mats, measure the route, decide whether traffic is one-way or two-way, work out how many mats you need from the mat length and the route length, prepare the ground, and plan how you will inspect and move the mats. Trackway mats let trucks, cranes and people cross sand and soft ground without building a permanent road.

Many sites in Saudi Arabia sit on sand, sabkha or reclaimed ground. Loaded trucks and cranes sink in. A permanent road is slow and costly if the site is temporary. Trackway mats are a faster option: interlocking panels that spread the weight of vehicles over a larger area and stay reusable from job to job.

Table of Contents

Why trackway mats work on soft ground

Ground fails when the pressure on it exceeds what it can bear. A truck wheel puts its weight through a small contact patch. A trackway mat spreads that load across the area of the panel, which lowers the pressure on the ground. The principle is the same as for outrigger pads. For the numbers behind it, read our guide on ground bearing pressure for cranes.

HDPE and UHMWPE trackway mats also do not rot, absorb water or splinter the way timber does. That matters in hot, dusty and wet conditions, and it means mats can be reused across many projects.

Step 1: Walk and measure the route

Note the length, the width, the turns and the slopes. Mark soft spots, drainage lines, buried services and areas where water collects. Tight turns need more mats than straight sections.

Step 2: Decide the traffic pattern

One-way traffic needs a single lane of mats, usually in two parallel strips under the wheel tracks or one continuous wide strip.
Two-way traffic needs roughly double the width, or passing points at intervals.

Tell your supplier what vehicles will use the road, how heavy the heaviest loaded vehicle is, and how often it passes.

Step 3: Estimate the number of mats

A simple estimate is:

Mats needed = route length ÷ mat length, then multiplied for width and extra allowances.

Example (illustrative): A 120 m route, using mats that are 2.4 m long in a single lane, needs 120 ÷ 2.4 = 50 mats. For two lanes of traffic, double that to 100. Allow extra for turns, passing places and spares. Your supplier can confirm the actual mat length and the right quantity for your vehicles.

Step 4: Prepare the ground

Mats work best on a reasonably level surface.

Remove large rocks, sharp debris and vegetation.
Fill deep holes and level high spots.
Avoid placing mats over trenches, drains and buried services unless they are protected.
Keep water from collecting under the mats.

You do not need a perfect surface, but a lumpy base will let mats rock and wear faster.

Step 5: Lay and connect

Lay panels end to end and side by side. Interlocking panels connect so the surface works as a single piece. Check that edges are tight and connectors are fully seated. Build ramps or tapers at entry and exit points so vehicles do not hit a raised edge.

Step 6: Inspect and maintain

Check connectors and edges after the first days of traffic.
Look for settlement, cracks or damaged panels.
Clear sand drifts and debris.
Re-level mats that have sunk or tilted.

Replace damaged panels. Mats are reusable, but damage reduces the support they give.

Step 7: Remove and store

At the end of the job, lift and clean the mats, check each panel and store them flat. Reusing mats is where the cost advantage shows.

Trackway mats or outrigger pads?

Trackway mats are for vehicles moving across a surface. Outrigger pads are for a crane or lift standing in one place. A site often needs both. See crane mat vs outrigger pad.

Talk to us

Diode Trading EST supplies trackway and ground protection mats across Saudi Arabia, with a Material Test Certificate on every order. Send us the route length, the heaviest vehicle and the ground type for a recommendation. Contact Diode Trading EST

Frequently Asked Questions

What are trackway mats?

Interlocking panels laid on the ground to create a temporary road or working surface for vehicles and people.

Can trackway mats be used on sand?

Yes, they are commonly used on sand and soft ground to spread load and reduce sinking.

How many trackway mats do I need?

Divide the route length by the mat length, then adjust for width, turns, passing places and spares.

Are trackway mats reusable?

Yes. HDPE and UHMWPE mats can be lifted, cleaned and reused on later jobs.

Do I still need outrigger pads?

Yes, if cranes or lifts stand on the mats. Mats support moving vehicles, and pads suit concentrated outrigger loads.

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