Using GIS-based on network analysis method for safer forest transportation planning summary

Forest transportation, performed by using logging trucks, is one of the costly stage of producing forest products. Driving a logging truck is regarded as one of the most dangerous tasks in forestry, especially in areas where forest lands are mostly located in mountains. In recent decades, large size logging trucks have been preferred during hauling of forest products to minimize the transportation costs. The forest roads with inadequate technical standards (i.e. platform width, curve radius, curve width, etc.) and the lack of engineering structures and superstructure limit the movement and maneuverability of large logging trucks which negatively effects the safety of truck drivers. In this study, it was aimed to develop transportation plan with safety constraint using GIS-based network analysis method and compute the additional transportation cost that would be faced when driver safety is the priority. The study area consisted of three Forest Enterprise Chiefs (FECs) including Paşalar, Sarnıç, and Turfal FECs located in the city of Bursa in Turkiye. Two scenarios considered in the study 1) transportation plan that minimized the transportation costs and 2) transportation plan that maximized the safety of the truck drivers. The difference between transportation plan of two scenarios were evaluated in terms of optimum routes, destination depots and additional transportation cost spent for safety of the truck drivers. Total forest products transported to landing areas in Paşalar, Sarnıç, and Turfal FECs were 8852.50 m3 , 10327.11 m3 , 6,352.73 m3 , respectively The results indicated that forest products from landings in Sarnıç FEC and Turfal FEC were transported to their own depots, while forest products from landings in Paşalar FEC were transported to both its own depots and to depots in other FECs in the first scenario. In the second scenario, the forest products from landings in Turfal FEC were transported to its own depot while forest products from landings in Paşalar and Sarnıç FECs were transported to both its own depots and to depots in other FECs. It was found that the total transportation cost increased in the second scenario of considering safety by 58.23% (12874.70 €). In was also found that the transportation cost increased in the second scenario by 36.14%, 93.33%, and 32.54% in Paşalar, Sarnıç, and Turfal FECs, respectively. GIS-based network analysis method can be effectively used to plan transportation of forest products considering safety of logging truck drivers. The results from the sample transportation plan example suggested that the decision-makers should be willing to pay over 50% additional transportation cost for transportation of forest products in forest areas with high safety risks associated with driving logging trucks.