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Forest Access and Transportation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:21:27
Abstract
The forest infrastructure is a basic prerequisite for sustainableforestry. Forest roads play a key role in commercial success of logging measures, in the care of the forest and are Main arteries of the recreational tourism. In this course the students acquire basic knowledge of forest infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Objective
The aim of this course is to give students the necessary to convey the basics of forest development planning in order to enable them to suitable solutions for existing and future challenges, and to develop of forest development planning. We begin with an overview of the history of timber transport and a consideration of technical developments and changing demands up to today's conditions. On the basis of current and expected in the future, we also analyse aspects of the Infrastructure management in the forest sector at landscape level. Economic and ecological consequences arising from the creation of forest infrastructure, are analysed. Finally, we concretise our observations on the basics the design and active creation and maintenance of development systems. This part of the course includes an overview of the approach and the development of new systems, also the dismantling of obsolete or superfluous ways. Within the framework of a case study, students go through finally, the full process of forest road construction, including existing framework conditions.
Content
- Introduction to forest development planning o Rural structures o The interaction of development and timber harvesting o Multifunctionality of forest road networks o Historical overview o Current forestry infrastructure in Switzerland - Infrastructure management in the forest sector o Forest development planning o Framework conditions o Concepts o Methods o Operational planning o Forest development planning - Fundamentals of the design of development systems o Geology o Soil Classification o Soil mechanics - Design of development systems o Development concepts o Definition of the development concepts o Assessment of variants - Forest road construction o Basic development o Fine development o Basic surveying and mapping o Planning of the route o Design of curves and hairpin bends o Track structure o Material use and transport o Hydrological aspects o Software-supported planning of the route o Optimisation of the route o Conservation measures - Impact assessment of development and fine development ww.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- None
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Forest Access and Transportation
Additionally 2 full-day field trips
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|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Minor in Operations Forest Engineering and Wood Products (To successfully complete this minor, KPs must be earned for the two required courses: - 701-1645-00 Forest Operations (autumn semester) and - 701-1544-00 Forest Access and Transportation (spring semester))
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