Sukur Milan, BSc

Forest road planning is a key component of sustainable forest management, as it ensures access to harvesting, transport, and protection activities while minimizing environmental impacts. Recent advances in digital terrain models (DTMs) and automated design tools have opened new possibilities for improving the efficiency of road alignment planning. This study evaluates the potential of an AI-driven corridor planning system (Path Explorer) integrated into RoadEng software compared with the traditional zero-line method in designing the forest road »Osmača–Compartment 56« in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two DTMs with resolutions of 20×20 m and 90×90 m were used to generate alternative alignments, which were then refined in the Location module to produce preliminary projects and compared with the operational (field-designed) alignment. The results indicate that AI-driven preliminary designs achieved shorter alignments and lower estimated construction costs and earthwork volumes, suggesting potential cost savings under the tested conditions. The operational design, based on field measurements, remained the most accurate and suitable for final implementation in complex terrain. The study emphasizes that these conclusions are limited to the tested DTM resolutions and the specific case study area. Nevertheless, the integration of AI-driven corridor planning systems into early design phases can enhance the efficiency and objectivity of forest road planning, supporting more informed and sustainable engineering decisions.

Forest road planning is a key component of sustainable forest management, as it ensures access to harvesting, transport, and protection activities while minimizing environmental impacts. Recent advances in digital terrain models (DTMs) and automated design tools have opened new possibilities for improving the efficiency of road alignment planning. This study evaluates the potential of an AI-driven corridor planning system (Path Explorer) integrated into RoadEng software compared with the traditional zero-line method in designing the forest road »Osmača–Compartment 56« in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two DTMs with resolutions of 20×20 m and 90×90 m were used to generate alternative alignments, which were then refined in the Location module to produce preliminary projects and compared with the operational (field-designed) alignment. The results indicate that AI-driven preliminary designs achieved shorter alignments and lower estimated construction costs and earthwork volumes, suggesting potential cost savings under the tested conditions. The operational design, based on field measurements, remained the most accurate and suitable for final implementation in complex terrain. The study emphasizes that these conclusions are limited to the tested DTM resolutions and the specific case study area. Nevertheless, the integration of AI-driven corridor planning systems into early design phases can enhance the efficiency and objectivity of forest road planning, supporting more informed and sustainable engineering decisions.