System of optimal logging roads’ planning factoring in forest raw material base

The lack of developed logging roads’ network in the North-West region of Russia is the main factor that restrains growth of timber harvesting industry. Construction and maintenance of the roads is expensive, therefore, optimal planning of the roads’ network can significantly reduce expenses on them. Existing methods of the logging roads’ network planning have several disadvantages. This article considers possible ways helpful in the elimination of disadvantages and an introduction of a new functional. In order to remove disadvantages a relief model of the territory is imposed, and a change in selection of a new vertex for plotting new graphs of the logging roads’ network is introduced. Imposition of the relief model allows for constrains in construction of certain road sections (if a road grade is higher than allowed) and more precise price calculation of the road construction. Application of another vertex set for roads’ network graph plotting makes it possible to achieve more precise roads’ lay out and make more accurate calculations on the construction price. A calculation method that helps to find the height of the vertex using vertexes with known heights is provided. A new model, in the capacity of a new functional, factoring in dynamics of the forest raw material base is introduced. This model connects roads lay out and construction stages with current and expected forest harvesting volumes. This task can be divided into two subtasks. Subtasks and their connection is considered, and solutions are given for both of them. The above listed modifications of the existing method help to get rid of present disadvantages, achieve more precise expenses’ evaluation, avoid serious corrections of projected road network, make long-term road planning and construction.