What Is Trackout? Trackout Control Devices Explained
Trackout is dirt, mud, or debris that gets tracked onto a public road when a vehicle leaves a construction site. It happens when dirt and mud stick to a truck’s tires inside the job site, then get deposited onto the street, highway, or roadway as the vehicle drives off.
Trackout isn’t just a mess. It’s also a source of particulate matter (PM10), which is regulated as an air pollutant. That’s why many job sites are required to control it, not just clean it up after the fact.
Why Trackout Matters
Every time a loaded truck exits a job site with muddy tires, some of that dirt ends up on the public street. Multiply that by dozens of trucks a day, and you’ve got a real problem.
- Dust complaintsNeighbors notice dirt on the street and dust in the air.
- Potential citationsThe city can write them up.
- Air and water quality concernsDirt on the road becomes dust and washes into storm drains.
Those concerns are why rules like these exist.
SWPPP
Stormwater Pollution Prevention PlanCovers keeping pollutants out of stormwater runoff.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination SystemThe permit program for stormwater from construction sites.
AQMD 403
Fugitive dust and trackoutEnforced in the South Coast Air Basin, which covers much of Los Angeles and Orange counties and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino.
What Is a Trackout Control Device?
A trackout control device is equipment placed at the exit of a construction job site to remove rocks, dirt, and debris from truck tires before vehicles reach the public road. Our trackout control devices are Rattle Track® and Rattle Grate®.
They’re flat, metal devices with multiple bars laid down at the job site exit. Here’s what happens when a truck rolls across one.
The truck drives over it
Muddy tires roll across the bars at the job site exit.
Bars and vibration go to work
The combination knocks dirt and debris off the tires and axles.
Cleaner tires reach the street
The dirt stays on your site instead of on the road.
That’s a smoother, more complete removal process than a standard rock exit. It’s a practical way to keep the streets right outside a construction site clean, without constantly re-rocking a gravel pad.
Our Trackout Products
Two devices, built for two levels of mud.
Rattle Track®
Our standard trackout control device. It’s reusable, transportable, and couplable to any length needed.
See Rattle Track®Rattle Grate®
Built for heavier, more aggressive trackout conditions, like clay heavy or high mud job sites.
See Rattle Grate®Also known as rumble tracks, rumble grates, mud plates, rock shaker plates, trackout plates, and track clear.
Open trench or temporary road surface?
If your site also has an open trench or needs a temporary road surface, Steel Road Plates (also called street plates, rock plates, or trench plates) cover that separately.
Not Sure What Your Site Needs?
Tell us about your exit, your soil, and your truck traffic, and we’ll point you to the right trackout control device. You can also read our support page for quick answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly counts as trackout?
Any dirt, mud, rock, or debris that a vehicle carries out of a job site on its tires and deposits onto a public street, highway, or roadway.
Why is trackout regulated?
Trackout is classified as particulate matter (PM10), which is regulated as an air pollutant. That’s on top of the more obvious issues: dirty streets, drainage problems, and neighbor complaints.
Is a rock exit the same as a trackout control device?
No. A rock exit is a gravel pad that needs regular replacement as it gets loaded with mud. A trackout control device like Rattle Track® is a reusable metal device that actively knocks debris off tires and doesn’t need replacing.
Do I need a trackout control device on every job site?
If your site has vehicles exiting onto a public road and there’s dirt, mud, or loose material involved. Yes, most jurisdictions with active enforcement (like Southern California under AQMD Rule 403) expect some form of trackout control in place.
What's the difference between Rattle Track® and Rattle Grate®?
Rattle Track® is the standard option for most job sites. Rattle Grate® is built for tougher conditions. Heavy clay, constant mud, high truck volume, where a standard device would get overwhelmed.
Get a Quote
Need Rattle Track® on your next job? Request a quote or call our office at 928.778.1125.