Evaluating the Potential for Shared Log Truck Resources in Middle Georgia

This study evaluates the potential gains from shared log trucking resources in a region with unconsolidated logging activities. This effort tracked 18 log trucks from three independent logging companies and six logging sites to 15 destinations over 5 days. We simulated a centralized dispatch system using actual inventory and loading/unloading data from the field study and incorporating constraints to manage hours worked and truck flows per tract. Results indicated the same volume of wood could be delivered with 0.92 fewer hours (55 minutes) per truck per day and 36 fewer miles driven per truck per day, with estimated daily cost savings for the 18-truck system of $500–750/day.