Precision Forestry

Using GPS and Other Sensors to Study the Performance and Productivity of Forest Machine Systems

Woodlands Specialists Site Preparation Sprayer using GPS control system

A cooperative effort by Auburn University's Biosystems Engineering Department, the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station through its engineering research work unit in Auburn, AL, and private forest industry.

Industry Cooperators include Woodlands Specialists, Inc., International Paper, and Mead Corporation - Coated Board Division

Investigators:

Steven E. Taylor, PE	Ton E. Grift	Matthew W. Veal	Timothy P. McDonald
Associate Professor	Assistant Professor	Graduate Research Assistant	Research Engineer
Auburn University	Auburn University	Auburn University	USDA Forest Service

Project Overview

Background
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is being used in an ever-increasing array of applications for managing forests and our natural resources. When used on mobile forest harvesting machines, data collected from GPS and additional external sensors can improve forest engineering design and management decisions based on machine performance data as a function of terrain and timber stand variables. Applications employing GPS capabilities are being developed for use in site preparation, planting, and managing intensive culture plantations. Many of these applications stem from the successful integration of GPS into “precision agriculture”, which can be defined as managing crop inputs, such as fertilizer, herbicide, etc. on a site-specific basis to reduce waste, increase profits, and maintain the quality of the environment. Developments in GPS technology and precision agriculture are readily adapted to problems in forest operations, particularly in intensive forest production systems.

Research Efforts at Auburn
Research at Auburn has been a cooperative effort between Auburn University's Biosystems Engineering Department, the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, and several private forest industry cooperators. These cooperators have included Mead Corporation's Coated Board Division, International Paper, Woodlands Specialists, and Caterpillar.

Our research has focused on:
1. Quantifying the accuracy of using GPS for tracking mobile forest machines.
2. Developing methods to measure site impacts from forest operations such as forest harvesting.
3. Developing methods for automated productivity studies of forest machine systems.
4. Developing sensors and data acquisition systems for "precision forestry".

Recent Research Publications:

Using GPS to Evaluate the Performance and Productivity of Forest Machine Systems from Proceedings of the recent International Precision Forestry Symposium.