Traffic load of forest roads as a criterion for their categorization – GIS analysis

The categorisation of forest roads can be based on several different criteria. In this paper, the outlines of the primary forest traffic infrastructure were divided according to the traffic load typical of long-distance transportation of timber. The survey was conducted in the management unit of Veprinačke šume, forest office of Opatija, forest administration of Buzet. This paper defines the methodology of forest roads categorisation using the GIS analysis, which should become a mandatory tool in development of forest roads network in Croatia. Traffic load of forest roads as a criterion for their categorisation can be used for the rationalisation of construction and maintenance expenses of the primary forest traffic infrastructure, while additional researches should define the standards for construction and maintenance of each category of forest roads