Timber transport optimisation through the use of foldable containers

There are considerable opportunities for addressing transportation problems along the timber supply chain. Difficulties locating timber in the forest, long transportation distances from forest to mill, extensive waiting times for unloading at the mill, introduction of road pricing and increasing energy costs are examples of problems that result in increased costs. The use of innovative transport technologies provides for possible efficiency improvement. The transport system LogRac is special log storage rack with legs, which can be transported by conventional container chassis. When empty, up to four LogRacs can be stacked and transported on a standard container chassis. The goal of this study was a comparison of the LogRac system with conventional self loading straight trucks and tractor and trailers. An empirical study was carried out using a PDA and GPS supported data collection system. The results show that at a transport distance of 60 km the self loading straight truck is more cost effective compared to the LogRac and tractor and trailer. With increasing transport distance the cost advantage changes to LogRac and tractor and trailer. An implementation scenario based on technological and organisational improvements for the LogRac system results in an additional cost reduction of 20% relative to current transport costs.