Discrete event simulation model for purchasing of marked stands, timber harvesting and transportation

Abstract

Research on customer-oriented timber procurement has basically consisted of the modelling of the separate elements of procurement chains, especially of the machinery used. In the present study, the procurement process is modelled by using the discrete-event simulation technique, including formulation of the characteristics of marked stands, the purchasing process, timber harvesting, and transportation. The model is supposed to be an artificial timber procurement environment for both research and education purposes. The initial theoretical model is developed further on the basis of empirical data. The model developed was found to function properly in the testing environment. The functioning of stand and tree generators was particularly convincing.