A new guide provides advice for resolving timber transport issues.Log transport issues often arise between local authorities, timber transport companies and forest owners. The Forest Industry Transport Group of Ireland has compiled a guide to address some of these problems. The guide aims to achieve its objectives through good communication, planning and management; optimum vehicle selection and procurement; and compliance with legislation and guidelines. The guide begins by providing some background to Irish forestry. The sections of the guideline more applicable to the global audience are as follows:
- Vehicle specification and selection: This section provides information on vehicle weights, vehicles and road damage, and developments in vehicle technology (on board weighing, vehicle tracking, central tyre inflation and extra wide tyres).
- Road maintenance and management: The key factors such as pavements, bridges, drainage and road design.
Other aspects that are covered include agreed route maps, haulage legislation and compliance, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, traffic management and community relations, the environment, and health and safety training. The guide concludes with a useful bibliography of additional guides and other relevant source material, as well as a list of useful websites. The document is titled “Managing Timber Transport: Good Practice Guide”. It was edited by Dr Ger Devlin.
Source: http://www.coillte.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/Good-Practice-Guide.pdf