Road plates and ground protection mats
frequently asked questions

They are used in three situations:

• Access – the ground cannot support a vehicle on its own, for example a waterlogged road or a muddy field. The plates create a road.
• Surface protection – the ground could support the vehicle, but must not be damaged, for example a lawn, sports pitch, paving, tree roots or a floor. The plate acts as a protective layer.
• Both at once – a common situation, for example when a crane has to cross a lawn that must remain intact.

The purpose (access, surface protection or both), the heaviest vehicle's weight, ground type and condition, daily traffic, season and installation duration. Tracked vehicles turning on the plates and crane outriggers supported by them also matter.

A plate's stated load capacity is its maximum capacity. The actual capacity of the road depends on the ground beneath it, which changes with the weather and season. We therefore consider all these factors and, where possible, the weather forecast.

• Purpose: access, surface protection or both.
• Vehicle types and the weight of the heaviest vehicle. Whether tracked vehicles or a crane with outriggers will use the plates.
• Number of passes per day.
• Surface and ground type.
• Work dates and duration: how long the road is needed.
• The required condition of the site after the work.
• Whether the plates will be reused on other sites.

1. Contact – by phone or email.
2. Planning – we help select the plates best suited to your project.
3. Order – we enter the dimensions, quantities and prices into our system.
4. Production – we manufacture WBoard plates as soon as production-line capacity becomes available.
5. Delivery – our logistics partners deliver, or you arrange collection yourself.

Yes. W-ROADS offers both sales and hire.

Yes, we offer installation and removal as a service. Customers can also install the plates themselves: lighter plates by hand and heavier ones using lifting equipment.

W-ROADS serves Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. Delivery terms are agreed individually. Our logistics partners handle delivery, or customers arrange it themselves.

Customer service is available in Polish and English, and where possible in Croatian. The wroads.com website is available in Polish, English, German, Croatian, Serbian and Slovenian.

• Phone: +48 790 413 857
• Email: kontakt@wroads.com
• Polish tax ID (NIP): 5562584730

W-ROADS supplies road plates and ground protection mats made from recycled plastics for temporary roads, construction sites and difficult terrain. It operates in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. The range includes mats from British company Ground-Guards and W-ROADS' own WBoard and WBoard Heavy plates.

• FastCover – a lightweight mat for temporary walkways and surface protection.
• WBoard – ribbed plates for ground stabilisation and access routes, in several thicknesses.
• ProMat – an economical ground protection mat with robust strength.
• MaxiTrack – a modular road plate for heavier traffic and self-installation.
• WBoard Heavy – a heavy-duty road plate for high loads.
• UltraTrack – a plate for demanding conditions and heavy equipment traffic.
• XtremeMat – the strongest plate in the range, for the toughest terrain.

FastCover, ProMat, MaxiTrack, UltraTrack and XtremeMat come from Ground-Guards Ltd in Leeds, UK, a supplier of ground protection systems since 2001. W-ROADS manufactures WBoard (from recycled LDPE) and WBoard Heavy (from an LDPE and HDPE blend).

It is the maximum load in the most favourable conditions: on firm ground. This limit must never be exceeded. It is not an indicative value: the actual load capacity of a plate road is equal to or lower than the maximum capacity.

No. The plate spreads wheel pressure over a larger area, but the underlying ground carries the weight. A plate road's capacity is the ground's capacity reinforced by the plate, and it varies:

• Weather: the same dirt road carries more on a dry day than after rain, as saturated ground is weaker.
• Season: ground is often weakest during spring thaw and after autumn rainfall. Dry summer ground and frozen winter ground are usually stronger, but thaws weaken it.
• Position along the route: ground is not uniform, so capacity varies along the road.
• Number of passes: ground that withstands a few heavy-vehicle passes may not withstand intensive traffic all day, as the effects of loading accumulate.

These are maximum values that must not be exceeded. The actual capacity of a plate road depends on the ground, weather, season and number of passes. It may be much lower on waterlogged ground.

The plate thickness and the ground beneath it. Maximum capacity on firm ground:

Capacity is lower on weaker ground.

MaxiTrack. It is the only plate in the range that gives customers confidence it will work on almost any surface for transport loads up to 40 t. Its maximum load capacity is 130 t, but 40 t is a value you can rely on in almost all conditions.

Ground is weakest during spring thaw and after autumn rainfall. Dry ground in summer and frozen ground in winter are usually stronger, but thaws weaken it. The same plate road can therefore carry different loads in different seasons.

The effects of loading accumulate. Ground that withstands a few heavy-vehicle passes may not withstand intensive traffic throughout the day. Traffic volume also affects plate service life.

Ground type and condition, weather, season, position along the route, daily traffic, plate thickness and rigidity, pressure distribution and installation duration. Where possible, we also consider the weather forecast for the work period.

Yes. A plate distributes vehicle pressure and shields the surface. XtremeMat has a recessed underside that reduces damage to grass and roots, and a sloping overlap that drains water off the surface. According to the manufacturer, MaxiTrack, UltraTrack and XtremeMat are suitable for protecting tree root systems.

Ideally, avoid the area. If that is impossible, add soil or sand until the root no longer protrudes. The plate then rests on an even layer without applying concentrated pressure to the root.

WBoard dimensions and weight depend on thickness – see the next question.

FastCover is a mat for pedestrians, trolleys and light vehicles, with a maximum load capacity of 10 t. Its anti-slip surface suits walkways, construction-site access and pedestrian routes at events. ProMat has a double-sided tread (pedestrian and vehicle sides) and a maximum capacity of 80 t.

XtremeMat has a maximum load capacity of up to 400 t and compressive strength of 58 kg/cm² (828 psi). It is approximately 4 m wide, corresponding to one traffic lane. It is the only plate on which crane outriggers can be placed without an additional support pad. UltraTrack (150 t) also suits heavy equipment, with a double-sided tread: deep for tyres and flat for steel tracks.

Plastic is flexible. On all plates except XtremeMat, an additional material, such as wood or steel, must be placed between the outrigger and the plate to spread pressure over a larger area. Without it, the outrigger applies a concentrated load, the plate may bend and the support may lose stability. XtremeMat can support outriggers without an additional pad.

• MaxiTrack and XtremeMat – designed for heavy tracked vehicles to turn on.
• UltraTrack – straight travel only; no turning on the plates.
• Other plates – not designed for heavy tracked vehicles to turn on.

XtremeMat is intended for the softest, wettest and boggiest terrain. Its rigid foam core enclosed in HDPE provides buoyancy. UltraTrack is flexible and adapts to uneven ground better than many rigid systems. On weak ground, the actual road capacity will be below the plate's maximum capacity.

MaxiTrack is a system for customers who want to install plates themselves. Its compact 1.9 × 1.0 m format and 40 kg weight allow two people to lay it without machinery. It suits narrow streets, courtyards and utility corridors. Long and short bolts are available separately for hard and soft ground.

Plastic plates can be repeatedly moved between construction sites throughout their service life.

Mainly intensive use and tracked vehicles turning on plates not designed for it. Protruding stones or roots beneath a plate can also cause cracks, so the ground must be checked before installation.

• FastCover – 100% recycled PVC.
• ProMat – 100% recycled HDPE.
• MaxiTrack – 100% recycled HDPE; black or beige.
• UltraTrack – compression-moulded UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene).
• XtremeMat – an HDPE outer layer and rigid foam core; yellow.
• WBoard – recycled LDPE.
• WBoard Heavy – an LDPE and HDPE blend.

It depends on the material.

• Polyethylene – HDPE (ProMat, MaxiTrack, XtremeMat), UHMWPE (UltraTrack), LDPE (WBoard) and the LDPE/HDPE blend (WBoard Heavy): withstands frost well. In heat it loses rigidity, so the plate bends more under a wheel. LDPE is softer than HDPE and deforms earlier in heat.
• PVC (FastCover): becomes stiffer and more impact-sensitive in frost, and softens earlier than polyethylene in heat.

Black plates in full sun heat up well above air temperature. Polyethylene has high thermal expansion, so the plates lengthen in warm conditions.

XtremeMat: −34 °C to +49 °C. All other plates: −25 °C to +45 °C.

Yes, any plate can be installed by the customer. Plates that can be lifted are laid by hand: FastCover (20 kg) by one person, and ProMat (38 kg) and MaxiTrack (40 kg) by two. Heavier plates, such as WBoard Heavy (118 kg), UltraTrack (295 kg) and XtremeMat (385 kg), require an excavator, truck-mounted crane or other equipment capable of lifting and handling them. W-ROADS also offers installation and removal.

Check the ground and remove loose, protruding stones and roots, which could crack the plates. Avoid tree roots that must remain intact or, if that is impossible, cover them with soil or sand. If levelling is needed, an excavator can level 300 m² in approximately one hour.

The rate depends on the available equipment. A single truck-mounted crane can lay approximately 80 UltraTrack plates per day, equivalent to about 600 m² of road.

• FastCover – overlaps joined by hand, without tools.
• ProMat – bolt or wire connectors.
• MaxiTrack – six quick-connect bolts per plate, flush with the surface; long and short versions.
• UltraTrack – four connection points, standard M16 bolts and replaceable steel straps.
• XtremeMat – six recessed self-centring bolts; access ramps and an alignment tool are available.

According to the W-ROADS installation instructions, speed on the plates must not exceed 5 km/h. Avoid sharp turns; tracked vehicles may turn only on plates designed for this purpose. Vehicle weight must not exceed the plate's maximum load capacity.

Yes. FastCover has an anti-slip tread and ProMat a textured surface. MaxiTrack has a micro-traction tread tested for slip resistance under BS 7976-2. XtremeMat combines a low-profile vehicle tread with a micro-traction finish and dissipates static electricity.

Yes. According to the manufacturer, FastCover, ProMat, MaxiTrack and UltraTrack are fully recyclable at the end of their service life. WBoard is made from recycled LDPE. Plastic plates can be reused on successive construction sites for many years.

• Low weight and lower transport costs. One truck can carry, for example, 600 m² of UltraTrack plates but only 16 concrete plates measuring 3.0 × 1.5 m, equivalent to 72 m².
• Fast installation; lighter plates can be laid by hand without a crane.
• Less damage to the surface below.
• No rotting, unlike wood, and no corrosion, unlike steel.
• Low theft appeal, as they have no scrap-metal value.
• Slip-resistant surface.
• Even when damaged, they have no sharp parts that could cut a tyre.
• Repeated use over many years and recyclability.

• Concrete – when a road will stay in one place for many years. Permanently installed concrete plates are very durable.
• Steel – for covering excavations.
• Timber – for terrain with changes in elevation. Wood has many uses and can be difficult to replace in such locations.

• Concrete – very durable if left in place. A concrete plate can be moved approximately 3–4 times.
• Steel – a very long service life.
• Timber – 2 to 5 years.
• Plastic – approximately 4 years (FastCover) to as much as 20 years (UltraTrack, XtremeMat), with repeated relocation between sites.

Concrete plates crack and lose edges during lifting, transport and reinstallation. Approximately 25% crack during removal, and a concrete plate can be relocated approximately 3–4 times. Cracked plates must be removed and replaced.

The cost is more than the plate price. It includes:

• purchase or hire,
• transport to, between and from construction sites,
• ground preparation,
• equipment and labour for installation and removal,
• restoring the site to its original condition if required,
• wear, replacement of damaged plates and disposal of broken ones,
• storage between projects.

Ground preparation and restoration depend on customer expectations. Compare how long the road is needed, the required condition after the work and whether the plates will be reused elsewhere.

For a single short-term use, concrete can be cheaper because concrete plates cost less. With repeated relocation between sites, plastic plates become cheaper, approximately from the fourth or fifth site. The farther apart the sites, the faster concrete costs increase.

More square metres of plastic plates fit on one truck, they do not crack during removal, do not need replacing after 3–4 moves and do not require disposal of broken plates. Concrete plate prices are rising, while plastic plates are purchased once for many years.

For a 300 m² road, including ground preparation:

• Concrete – approximately 3 days.
• Steel – approximately 1 day.
• UltraTrack – approximately half a day with one truck-mounted crane, plus approximately one hour of excavator work if levelling is needed.

Yes, steel and concrete plates can. Bent steel plates damage tyres, as do reinforcing bars exposed in damaged concrete plates. Even damaged plastic plates have no sharp parts that could cut a tyre.

Steel plates:

• crushed hands or feet when lowering and positioning,
• cuts from sharp edges or burrs, especially on bent or damaged plates,
• being struck by a swinging plate suspended from a crane or truck-mounted crane,
• slipping on a wet or icy surface,
• a plate breaking free from its lifting sling.

Concrete plates:

• crushed hands or feet when lowering and positioning,
• cuts from exposed reinforcing bars and chipped edges,
• being struck by a swinging suspended plate,
• a plate breaking free from its sling or cracking during lifting.

Steel plates have a very long service life, but are expensive to transport and dangerous for workers during installation. Bent plates damage tyres and must be taken to a rolling mill for straightening before further use.

Wood has many uses, but becomes much heavier when wet, making handling and transport more difficult. It lasts 2 to 5 years and eventually rots.