Consolidation of Forest Machine Gnss Tracks Into One Solid Logging Trail Line

In both RF- and CCF -based management practises in boreal forest, logging trails are not typically considered as permanent forest infrastructure. However, information of the positions of old logging trails (OLTs) can prove highly beneficial upon revisiting the forest, typically 20-30 years after the previous operation. In RF, operators may be encouraged to follow OLTs to maintain a suitable forest structure, while in CCF-based management, OLTs might be avoided, particularly if trails have disappeared due to tree regrowth. The number of machine passes within a segment of logging trail is also crucial information. Research across various forest biomes (boreal, temporal, tropical, etc.) show that the higher the total stress induced by machine traffic the more permanent damages it will cause. Hence, it is essential for forestry machines to manage total overload, especially in sensitive terrain conditions. Modern forest machines are now equipped with GNSS positioning system that continuously store the tracks of machine movements. These tracks are stored as a bunch of single points or converted into polylines. However, GNSS tracks may suffer from inaccuracies due to satellite visibility, terrain conditions, and space weather, resulting in positioning variations of 2-10 meters in forest environments. In this presentation, we demonstrate a system designed to consolidate GNSS tracks from harvesters and forwarders into a one solid logging trail line. We have developed a GIS-based approach that calculates the density of segments of logging trails (passes) as a raster layer, then it finds the cells with the highest density as the centre of logging trails. Finally, it digitizes lines through the centre of the cells as the final solid logging trails. The file can also be utilized to calculate the characteristics of logging-trail networks (intervals, density) or network efficiency factor (ideal network versus actualized network). We also aim to create a procedure that can interpret the number of machine passes within each logging trail segment. This information can aid operators, forest managers, and owners in visualizing machine traffic patterns, controlling access to consecutive machine trafficking, and assessing the need for soil rehabilitation activities.