Round wood transport in the forest

Forest roads.

About this page

This page has been created as part of a Bachelor's thesis in Forestry at the HAFL Zollikofen (BE) in Switzerland. The objective of this work is to know the OpenStreetMap potential for transport of round wood in the forest. For this, a specific website using OSM data was developed (OpenForestRoadsMap). The goal is to use these data with a mobile device (touchpad, smartphone, ...) running Android. This system will be used by the drivers of trucks for the navigation in the forest.

Specific tags to forest roads are explained on this page. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Specific tags to forest roads

Attributes	Key	Value	Element	Comment	data collection	Photo
Specific tags to forest roads
Forest roads	highway	track		Lets just indicate that it is a forest road. This attribute must be inserted to add other characteristics.	In the field with a GPS, a smartphone for example, or with Bing aerial images.
Classification of forest roads	tracktype	grades 1-5		Indication of the quality of the surface. See tracktype=* for more details.	The classification of forest roads to do according the coating, this should be observed in the field. It is also possible to view the data (maps, land register, etc..) On the forest roads as long as their owners allow.
	surface	paved / unpaved / asphalt / concrete / paving_stones / cobblestone / metal / wood / grass_paver / gravel / pebblestone / grass / ground / earth / dirt / mud / sand		If the attributes tracktype = grade1-5 are not accurate enough, it is possible to use the tag area. However, in order to simplify the editing of data, it is preferable to use the key tracktype. If necessary, the description of the key values ​​area can be consulted.	The composition of the surface of forest roads must be observed in the forest. It is also possible to view the data (maps, land register, etc..) On the forest roads as long as their owners allow.
Width of forest roads	width	number in meters		Specifies the width of forest roads, this tag is used to indicate the total width in the bends (including the extra width). Tag to be used only if the forest road is less than 3.3 m wide.	The width of forest roads is mesured with a measuring tape or any other measuring devices.
Legal restrictions to drive with a truck (without trailer)	access:lhv	forestry / no		Indicates whether it is legally allowed to drive with a truck (without trailer). If allowed, choose forestry.	According to official signage and local law, etc.
Legal restrictions to drive with a truck and a trailer	access:lhv:trailer	forestry / no		Indicates whether it is legally allowed to drive with a truck and a trailer. If allowed, choose forestry.	According to official signage, local law, etc.
Bridge	bridge	yes		Indicates a bridge	Field observation, width measurement, information from the authorities for the maximum tonnage, etc.
	maxwidth	number in meters		Maximum admissible vehicle width in meters
	maxweight	number in meters		Maximum admissible actual vehicle mass in tonnes
Tunnel	tunnel	yes		Indicates a tunnel	Field observation, measurements of the width / height, information to the authorities.
	maxwidth	number in meters		Maximum admissible vehicle width in meters
	maxheight	number in meters		Maximum admissible vehicle height in meters
Possibility to turn back (places to turn back)	highway	turning_circle		A turning circle is a widened area of road that allows vehicles to turn more easily.	Observation and measurements (measuring tape or electronic device and milestones) on the field or on a map.
	turning_radius	number in meters		Indicates the presence of a turning radius of the place to turn in meters
Passing place	highway	passing_place		Indicates the presence of a passing place where it is possible that two vehicles cross.	Observation and measurements (measuring tape or electronic device and milestones) on the field or on a map.
	width	number in meters		Indicates the passing place width
	length	nombre en mètres		Indicates the passing place lenght
Bends (turning radius)	turning_radius	nombre en mètres		Indicates the turning radius	Field measurements (measuring tape or electronic device and milestones). Turning radius should be given only if the bends can cause problems in passing trucks.
	width	number in meters		Indicates the width of the road around the bend, it is in this case the width with the extra width ("v" in the diagram).	Field measurements (measuring taps or electronic device and milestones). The specified width is greater where the bend is tighter.
Slope	incline	number in % or °		Indicates the slope of forest roads	Field measurements with a clinometer (+ milestones) or an iPhone or Android or electronic measuring device application. The slope is indicated only if it exceeds 12%. Between nodes, the maximum value should be listed, not the average. The direction of the slope is determined during the field survey or aerial images. The direction is defined by the direction in which the statements are made. For example incline = 15% if you go up and incline = -15% if you go down.
Barrier	barrier	lift_gate / chain / gate / log		Indicates whether a barrier closes the road (barrier rises / chain / portal / logs)	Field observation, information from the authorities.
	contact:phone	telephone number		Telephone number of the contact person to obtain the keys.	Information from the forestries administrations. The number will be indicated only if the person agrees!
Diverse	maxwidth	number in meters		Maximum vehicles width in meters	Observation of existing panels in the field measurements using measuring tape, milestones, electronic device, information from the authorities about restrictions in force.
	maxlength	number in meters		Maximum vehicles length in meters
	maxheight	number in meters		Maximum vehicles height in meters
	maxweight	number in tonnes		Maximum vehicles weight in meters
	noexit	yes		Dead-end, unable to continue further (cul-de-sac)
	restriction	no_u_turn / no_right_turn / no_left_turn / only_straight_on		Prohibition: to turn / turn right / turn left / turn right and left
	vehicle	no		General driving ban
Sources	source	GPS / Bing / etc.		Lets mention / source (s) that have collected data, several sources can be entered for an attribute.	= GPS readings traces on tarrain. Bing = satellite images available on OSM. Etc..

For data collection, it is of course also possible to obtain information on maps or land registries. However, this is only possible with the consent of the owner knowing that once the inserted data in OSM will be free of rights.

Procedure for using OSM data in relation to forest roads

Here is presented the method that has been practiced in this case study. It can of course be modified according to the needs and expectations of the user.

Summary of field data: OSMTracker was used, a specific layout called "forest_roads.xml" was created.

Inserting data into OSM: During this Bachelor's thesis, it was not possible to display tags with iD Editor, for this reason, Potlatch 2 was used.

Read data from a computer: For this, the web site OpenForestRoadsMap was created.

Using data offline mode with an Android application: OsmAnd was used for navigation. However, the rendering_types.xml render.xml and had to be changed.

Contact

Anyone wishing to obtain for Information of this work and its development and that of the website OpenForestRoadsMap can contact through this address info@openforestroadsmap.ch.