USING OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES IN DESIGNING FOREST ROADS AND ROAD NETWORKS

Abstract

There has been an increasing interest in using modern optimization techniques in forest road design due to advancements in computer hardware, optimization algorithms, and remote sensing technologies. These techniques allow one to automate many of the time consuming tasks involved in road design process and improve the efficiency of road design managers in identifying road alignment alternatives. This paper presents the main road design stages to indicate the possibilities of using optimization techniques in forest road design and provides background information on many of the optimization techniques used in road design and road network management problems. The current advances in forest road design and network optimization procedures are presented and recommendations are suggested for future studies.There has been an increasing interest in using modern optimization techniques in forest road design due to advancements in computer hardware, optimization algorithms, and remote sensing technologies. These techniques allow one to automate many of the time consuming tasks involved in road design process and improve the efficiency of road design managers in identifying road alignment alternatives. This paper presents the main road design stages to indicate the possibilities of using optimization techniques in forest road design and provides background information on many of the optimization techniques used in road design and road network management problems. The current advances in forest road design and network optimization procedures are presented and recommendations are suggested for future studies.