A review on temporary roads and portable matting systems improving traffic resilience and disaster mobility

Sweden’s transport sector has emerged as a critical pillar of national security and civil defense in the wake of its NATO accession, with robust preparedness seen as essential for total defense. This paper reviews the increasing demands placed on the civilian transport system including the imperative to support military mobility, situational awareness, and continuity of societal functions under crisis. Recent government mandates and new guidelines from the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MSB) have accelerated the development of alternative technologies and operational strategies for road and rail infrastructure, emphasizing rapid, coordinated national readiness. Among the solutions explored are portable matting systems (PMS), rapidly deployable surfaces that serve as temporary roads when permanent infrastructure is compromised by disaster, conflict, or climate events. The expanding use of PMS in civilian, military, and disaster-response scenarios is driven by their versatility, sustainability, and suitability for challenging conditions. The review examines the evolution of matting systems from historic steel and aluminum panels to contemporary composite and polymer designs, with a focus on material properties, structural performance, and logistical considerations. Applications in construction, energy, emergency management, and defense are highlighted through case studies, alongside analysis of market growth trends in Europe and globally. The review further addresses challenges, including ground preparation, transport logistics, durability, recycling, and lifecycle environmental impacts. It concludes with recommendations for standardization, best-practice guidelines, and future research into advanced, digitally-enabled, and eco-friendly matting solutions, aiming to reinforce the resilience and sustainability of critical transport networks in a rapidly evolving security environment.