The invention relates to road surface matting. It is known to overlay the ground with mats to make a better surface for vehicles to drive on. Known road matting includes beams arranged in parallel, each within its own pocket in a fabric mat. However, inordinate reliance on fabric makes matting vulnerable to wear and tear. The invention aims to go at least some way toward addressing this problem by providing matting having a first mat, a second mat, and a means for pivoting comprising at least two ball joints, each joint comprising a ball adapted to pivot within a housing of the joint. Each mat has a series of substantially parallel beams connected to one another, and the first and second mats are each connected to a respective one of the balls so that each mat is able to pivot with the respective ball.

Transportation matting for traversing soft ground surfaces, such as beaches and muddy roads, is provided. The matting is thin, rollable, and lightweight (in some embodiments, about 1 lb/ft.sup.2) and has a convoluted configuration with alternating peaks and valleys formed from mats of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material. The matting is coilable with a preload by which the matting tends to unroll and lay flat, while retaining relatively high compliance or ease of roll-up when recovered.

An access mat configured to be superposed terrain so as to assist vehicles and machinery to traverse thereacross. The sustainable access mat includes a body wherein the body is rectangular in shape having a first end and a second end with opposing lateral edges. The body is manufactured from a first layer having anti-slip upper surface, a second layer and a third layer wherein the second layer is intermediate the first layer and third layer. The layers of the body are manufactured from bamboo and the orientation of the bamboo strand direction of each adjacent layer is perpendicular to the adjacent layer. The second layer and third layer further have notches formed in the first end and second end thereof. Tab members are provided to facilitate operable coupling of adjacent access mats. The first end perimeter edge and second end perimeter edge of the first layer extends over the notches.

A land area can be improved to support a geotextile having nonwoven top and bottom layers, and a geogrid core. The top layer defining at least one parking space, such that land areas of various sizes can be covered to form parking lots with rain-draining features.