Mathematical model and numerical methods of the wood harvesting machines scheduling

The article contains formulation of the task of wood harvesting machines scheduling, including distribution of machines over the sites, scheduled for harvesting during the planning period, taking into account delivery schedules for each type of products, as well as various technical and technological constraints. A mathematical model of the problem is developed and a numerical solution method is proposed. The method is based on application of the meta-heuristic algorithm of simulated annealing and "greedy" algorithms. Comparison of several variants of the algorithm for solving this problem was made. The method applying spatial clustering of harvesting sites has been recognized as the most effective one. Approbation of the algorithm using real data has confirmed the possibility of reducing the costs of forest machines relocation while meeting all technological requirements. The scientific results presented in the article were used in the software system Opti-Wood for wood harvesting planning and management, developed by Opti-Soft company.