Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Previous studies of central tire inflation (CTI) in truck transport of roundwood have shown potential benefits to include more even wood flow and reduced road damage. The greatest benefits are found to be during periods of low bearing capacity such as spring thaw. No previous studies have examined geographical variations in the potential benefit of CTI-equipped trucks.

The aim of the study was to develop and use a simple method for geographically prioritizing the use of CTI-equipped trucks within a forest company´s sector of activity.

The host company for the study was Holmen Skog. The area studied consisted of Holmen Skog’s entire sector of activity extending from the province of Västerbotten to the province of Småland. This area covers approximately 245 000 km2 and the distance between the northernmost part of the area and the southernmost is approximately 1 000 km. The study area is administratively divided into three regions and 20 transport areas. The study was carried out by identifying wood volumes transported over roads with low bearing capacity during the spring thaw. Spring thaw was assumed to take place the first month of the year with an average temperature above zero degrees. Roundwood transport volumes which were initiated during this period over roads with accessibility class 3 (insufficient bearing capacity during spring thaw or after rainy periods) and 4 (insufficient bearing capacity without frost) were summed over a period of two years. Transport areas with the largest volumes were assumed to have the greatest potential benefit of CTI-equipped trucks.

The method used indicates clear geographical patterns of CTI-benefits. According to the criteria used there were three transport areas with particularly high priority for implementation of CTI-equipped trucks.