Optimizing timber transportation planning for timber harvesting using bees algorithm in Malaysia

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2023-08, Vol.340, p.117977-117977, Article 117977
• Main Authors: Jamaluddin, Jamhuri, Kamarudin, Norizah, Ismail, Mohd Hasmadi, Ahmad, Siti Azfanizam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bees algorithm; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Crawler tractor; Forest road; Forestry; Forests; Log Fisher; Malaysia; Malaysian forest; Timber extraction; Trees
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117977

Suitable extraction technique and the least cost while reducing the environmental impact is the primary concern in timber transportation planning in undulate topography. Two types of extraction machines with unique characteristics to be applied in timber harvest area in Malaysia is combined for timber harvesting with the aim each machine will extract timber suitable to their ability. A Bees Algorithm (BA) was proposed to find an optimum TTP for timber extraction, forest road, and landing locations with grid cell-sized 10 m × 10 m and attributed with fixed and variable costs. The result shows the log fisher (1351 timbers) as a preferable extraction technique with total cost of RM 86,551.73 than the crawler tractor (206 timbers); the timber extraction route is 2630 m for the log fisher and 9860 m for the crawler tractor with total cost of RM 10,453.03. The model finds a suitable timber extraction technique and estimates the extraction costs. Further studies are required to compare the BA with other optimization methods for better results. •Best management practice reduces the overall costs of timber harvesting operation and reduced impact logging on the environment.•Crawler tractor machines provide less timber extraction costs than log fisher but are low in timber volume per hauling.•The Bees' algorithm could help forest managers and decision-makers select the best timber extraction techniques.