Optimization of an existing forest road network using Network 2000

Optimization of forest road network is an important part of logging planning. Matthews (1942) was the first to introduce a method for optimization of road spacing based on minimization of roading and skidding cost. The goal of this paper is to find the best road network for a district harvested by skidder. The skidding model developed by stepwise regression model was used to predict the cost of skidding per cubic meter for the 39 nodes, which were planned in the district map. The harvesting volume and roading cost per each node were computed. The data were entered into NETWORK 2000 and shortest path algorithm; simulated annealing and great deluge algorithms were run to find the best solution to optimize logging cost of the district. The results showed which roads can be eliminated from the existing forest road network