Conference presentation
Optimised log transport planning with FastTRUCK
2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.15
USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2012
Abstract
Transporting wood from coupes to mills costs the Australian forest industry $1.2 million a day. In order to reduce these costs, a software system called FastTRUCK was developed, providing a way for the industry to improve transport planning, thereby reducing transport costs by 10%. FastTRUCK is an operational, tactical and strategic tool, available for use within forestry companies. Using the software, the company can identify and reduce costs across the entire planning spectrum. This includes daily dispatching of trucks, from harvest locations to mills; haulage contract design; fleet configuration on a monthly basis; fleet configuration on an annual basis; and even the performance of outsourced dispatching operations. FastTRUCK uses a 'decision support' approach for the optimised planning of wood supply to pulp and saw mills and the technologies used for this purpose are introduced. A domain model of forestry operations is described and a simulator based on it is demonstrated. Because the underlying domain model is tailored for Australian conditions, the system guides 'optimisation' towards plans more suited for these localities. The advantages of FastTRUCK for companies in the context of the planning horizon are illustrated, including specific examples from the Australian forest industry. Interesting insights arising from simulator results are confirmed through comparisons with current operational data to illustrate the effectiveness of the system in the companies. These results are encouraging forestry companies around Australia to consider technologies which improve transport planning.
Details
- Title
- Optimised log transport planning with FastTRUCK
- Authors
- Luke Mirowski (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- 2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.15
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2012
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449329002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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