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Trail Routing 2.0: Digitization of Planning and Process Control for the Creation of Networks of Forest Trails Based on Models and Algorithms that Optimize Resource Use
Project
Project code: 28RF5033
Contract period: 01.01.2017
- 30.06.2019
Budget: 352,717 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: digital world
A form of forestry maintenance actions, actions that create networks of forest trails (e.g. skidding and hauling trails) serve to prepare forests well for future thinning. Given their importance to damage-minimizing and ecologically and economically effective forest management, they must be well coordinated and require particularly farsighted planning. At present, forest rangers primarily prepare the creation of skidding trails on site by spray-painting the trees to be harvested on the planned trail. The basis of planning is maps based on geographic information, which do not facilitate the optimization of networks of trails, however. Variable terrain conditions and numerous independent variables make the planning and creation of skidding trails not only extremely time-consuming but also so complex that an optimal outcome is only rarely achievable. The project 'Trail Development 2.0' is intended to improve the planning and creation of networks of trails significantly by providing forest rangers and forestry companies assistance based on available geographic information and mathematical optimization algorithms.
A forest ranger will initially be assisted in the planning process by (semi-) automatic proposals for potential trail routing options based on an assessment of various economic and ecological target variables. Whenever verification reveals discrepancies between natural features ascertained on site and planning documents, appropriate modifications will be proposed to the forest ranger. In addition, systems will be developed in the project for the forestry companies that put trail development into practice. They are intended not only to reveal whether the planned route of a trail is being followed and to document it but also to provide suitable recommendations for further work ahead, especially when disruptions occur or discrepancies arise.
Section overview
Subjects
- Silviculture
- Forestry
- Computer science
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (IFF)
