Analysis of firewood production by discrete event simulation

Modeling approaches can be divided into three groups: econometric, analytic and simulation. In the last decade, different studies in forest operations confirm that modeling approaches and techniques have been applied with regard to the time horizon of the planning and analysis. At tactical and operational level simulation seems to offer the greatest applicability of modeling. Discrete-event simulation (D-es) allows the use of non linear and linear production functions. Besides the interactions between model elements can be described and the effects of random processes can be modeled. In this study a D-es has been developed to analyze firewood production in a mountain area in the North-eastern Italy. The D-es is applied in the modeling of harvesting, extraction (Full Tree System), processing of roundwood into wood assortments (cross-cutting and sorting), off-road and on-road transport. In order to estimate production functions, field studies were conducted to gather data about the different operations linked in the model. Field survey on primary and secondary forest road network, information on localization of the landings and on the forest road network extension and its distinctiveness parameters were collected. Extraction volume and extraction paths, forest landings and transshipment site locations were used as variables in the model. In addition the interactions between the model elements and parameters were examined by the effects of random processes.