A Novel Two-Phase Approach to Forest Harvesting Optimization Using Cable Logging

Timber extraction is a vital process in forest harvesting, particularly in areas with high slopes where timber harvesting methods are not feasible. In such cases, logging towers employing extraction cables are often the most effective solution. This intricate task involves several phases, with the installation of the tower being one of the most critical. It significantly influences the performance and feasibility of timber extraction. Another crucial phase involves strategically positioning logging lines to minimize the installation time while maximizing the load capacity efficiency. This article presents an integer programming mathematical model for determining the optimal positioning of yarders conditioned to logging lines, the timber logging time, and the logging cycle time. Furthermore, a two-phase heuristic algorithm is introduced to address the problem. Both approaches offer a preliminary proposal for the location of logging towers and the arrangement of logging lines within a two-dimensional spatial plane, thereby streamlining the timber extraction process in challenging terrains. Finally, we compare manually generated approximate planning (referred to as the manual planning approach, MPA) with our presented approaches. Our methods outperform the MPA, and notably, our two-phase approach surpasses solvers commonly used in the industry by up to 38% in real case studies.