Florida Ready-Mix Plant Uses FODS To Reduce Track-Out
Titan America Implements FODS To Minimize Vehicle Track-Out
Industrial
tcm
Industrial
Excerpt Excerpt
In recent years, the South Florida metro, including Miami and all of Dade County, has seen continued growth in the commercial and real estate markets, with Miami seeing a 50% increase in total home sales in 2021. To the north in Fort Lauderdale, developers are breaking ground on major upgrades and additions to the beachfront city, including marinas, luxury condos, high-rise apartments, and a new convention center.
Supplying building materials to many of these ongoing projects is leading international giant Titan America, with over 45 locations throughout Florida. Titan America operates Ready-Mix plants, mining operations, and aggregate processing facilities to provide various solutions. These solutions include Ready-Mix Concrete, aggregates, cement, fly ash, traditional concrete block, insulated Omni Block, paving materials, erosion control products, and integrally colored concrete solutions.
Aggregate suppliers face challenges in producing, storing, and
transporting raw materials, including safety and environmental
considerations such as impact on air and water quality. With over 120
years of experience, Titan America is recognized for environmental
responsibility, sustainability, and site safety. The company leverages
knowledge and expertise to ensure ecological safety on each site and
continues exploring innovative solutions to improve existing processes.
One common environmental concern is sediment and debris that vehicle
tires track out onto roadways or other sensitive areas. Various Soil
Tracking Prevention Devices are used to minimize sediment, dust, and
debris that leave the site, and in many cases, multiple techniques are
combined to improve performance or reduce maintenance frequency. In
addition, machine operators will regularly sweep the roadways to clear
away residual dust and debris before they can enter storm drains and
degrade water quality. Environmentally conscious operators will employ
the most effective solutions. They can implement multiple control
techniques to ensure the job site has the lowest possible impact on
water quality. With pressure from the EPA, the state, and the City of
Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Titan America settled on the industry standard
for track-out control, FODS.
Titan is currently deploying FODS Trackout Control System for use on multiple batch plants across Florida as a permanent Soil Tracking Prevention Device. The FODS system is an aggregate-free solution that increases safety by reducing the risk of stray rocks entering the roadway. Compared to other trackout mitigation methods, including the use of crushed concrete, rumble grates, and cattle guards. The FODS system provides much more effective removal of debris from vehicle tires and is much easier to keep in optimal operating conditions. The result is less downtime for maintaining the entrances and reduced street sweeping needed to keep debris out of the stormwater system. By installing the FODS system on their exits and staging areas, Titan sites can benefit from an effective, safe, long-term solution for decreasing vehicle trackout.
A Titan site in Ft. Lauderdale sought out the FODS system to be used as a complete stand-alone solution for trackout. Their Titan Miami site combines FODS with a wheel washing station for improved performance and maintainability. In cases where FODS are used without a wheel wash station, the mats are typically maintained using a street sweeper, which can sweep debris off the mats as part of the regular sweeping schedule. When used in combination with a wheel wash, the FODS system serves to remove the majority of sediment and debris, while pressure washers aid in removing residual dust from vehicle tires. This combination requires little maintenance since the water constantly removes sediment buildup on the mats. This solution can continuously operate for years. Titan America chose this modern technique to provide a safe and robust solution proactively maintained without additional labor or material costs.
Installing FODS Over Concrete Access Road
The FODS Trackout Control System consists of 12’ wide by 7’ long HDPE panels configured to provide a lane for exiting vehicles. The panels are outfitted with staggered pyramid formations, creating a unique surface that expels dirt and debris from vehicle tire treads to minimize trackout. FODS Trackout Control System requires no additional materials throughout the 10-year expected service life of the exit. In many applications, the FODS system is used without other control measures. However, it can be combined with a wheel wash station, reducing sediment tracking and the required street sweeping frequency.
Titan’s strategic use of FODS underlines the company’s commitment to operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and safety. The FODS track-out control has improved site safety, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced profitability, validating Titan’s decision to incorporate innovative, sustainable solutions. Ready-Mix plants and other industrial sites around the country are taking notice of the BMP standard that provides the most effective technique on permanent and other long-term applications to reduce trackout and improve safety, compliance, and profitability.
