A graphical-analytical multi-criteria model for determining the optimal route for a logging road

The article outlines the practical necessity of scientific substantiation of logging road planning; it has been established that such substantiation consists in solving the problem of selecting the best option for the direction of a logging road based on searching for a compromise optimum between the total costs of its creation, development and operation and the amount of profit from the sale of commercial timber obtained through the use of the planned logging road. In this regard, it has been determined that comparison of alternative options for the direction of a logging road should be made through evaluation of their effectiveness; it has been revealed that this comparison can be implemented through the use of an optimization mathematical model. Taking into account the outlined circumstance, research has been carried out in the field of searching for the most effective methodological development that allows determining the effectiveness of the direction of the planned logging road route. Through research, methodological developments have been identified that have both direct and indirect relevance to the problem of reliably determining the effectiveness of the direction of logging roads. A detailed analysis of the methodological developments identified during the research is provided; This analysis identified the advantages and disadvantages of these developments, identified methodological tools for their creation, and determined the effectiveness of their application. The study also revealed the limited scope of research areas and the incomplete list of factors to be considered for a reliable calculation of the effectiveness of the planned logging road route. Based on the identified advantages and the identified relationships and dependencies, a multi-criteria graph-analytical model was developed. This model enables the selection of the best logging road route by determining the effectiveness of this route at each stage of construction and operation of the road. This approach enables both the rational minimization of costs associated with the construction and operation of the planned logging road and ensures a return on investment. The developed model, in terms of the applied methodological tools, is based on a combination of economic and mathematical modeling methods, elements of dynamic and nonlinear programming, as well as techniques from graph theory, financial mathematics, and systems analysis. The reliability of calculations is achieved by taking into account the following factors during modeling: terrain; soil, ground, and hydrological conditions of the region; the dynamics of construction and operation of logging road sections; as well as the dynamics of capital investment flows, operating costs, and revenues across planning stages. The model is presented with an analytical description of the objective function and its system of constraints. The advantages of the proposed methodological development are also outlined.