1 ROADS Services Training Group LOCAL AUTHORITY ROADS CONFERENCE 2014 Reforms, Challenges and Safety Treacys West County Hotel, Ennis, May 2014.

Reforms, Challenges and Safety Managing Timber Transport, Good Practice Guide John Lyons (Coillte) Chair, Forest Industry Transport Group

Republic of Ireland, Forestry Forest Cover, % land area Coillte, 7% Private, 4% Timber Production (2012) Coillte, 2.35 mi m3 Private Forests, 0.49 mi m3 Private sector supply set to increase significantly

Timber Production Trends

All available timber is utilised domestically in; Sawmills Panelboards Wood energy, incl firewood. Exports; Major increase in timber product exports since Approx 60% of Sawmill output is exported. Close to 90% of output from the panelboard sector. (Leading supplier to UK of MDF (Clonmel) and second for OSB (Waterford) Timber Processing.

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Timber Haulage infrastructure Over 300 Trucks in use, but not all artics ‘dedicated’ to timber haulage. Survey (15/1/2014) showed 199 trucks entering mills, of which; 74% Artics (148) 49% had cranes fitted 51% Flats, w/o cranes, loaded by Artic double drives or other local arrangements. 26% Rigids and Trailers (51)

Haulage Management Coillte…… own no trucks, but manages the haulage delivery to panel boardmills, i.e. 1mi m3, small dimensioned, thinnings mainly. Sawmills…. purchase standing timber via auction system and engage own hauliers. Private sector…. timber supply increasing, no co-ordination of haulage. Rail haulage from NW to Smartply in Waterford, small amount.

Haulage Procurement (Coillte) Subject to; Code Practice for Governance State Bodies EU Procurement Directives Public Procurement Guidelines Group Procurement Policy

Forest Industry Transport Group Over 10 years in existence Partnership approach by industry Stakeholders, comprising; Dept Ag, Food and Marine, Forest Service, COFORD Coillte Teagasc Irish Forestry and Forests Products Association (IFFPA) UCD, School of Biosystems Eng. IFA, ITC, ITGA Haulage Contractors UCD, School of Biosystems Eng. Group was expanded in 2012/2013 to include DTTS and LA reps

FITG, interest areas. 1. Good Practice Guide for Timber Transport….. 2. Agreed Routes…. 3. Submission re 46T GVW to apply for Rigids and Trailers… 4. Submission on Variable Tyre Pressure, seeking stimulus funding… 5. Forest Entrances, planning permissions….

Good Practice Guide (GPG) GPG for Managing Timber Transport focuses on 3 general areas; Good Communication, planning and Management Optimum Vehicle Selection Compliance with Legislation and Guidelines

Agreed routes project €180k funding secured via UCD for 2 yr National project, 2014/2015. To consider; Coillte activities and its designated routes Local Authorities road condition survey Private Forestry (age, location) Pilot being planned in 2 locations, (Donegal, Sth Tipp)

Agreed routes project (contd)  Develop 4 classifications; 1.Unrestricted Routes 2. Consultation Routes 3. Restricted Routes 4. Excluded Routes

Further Options for consideration Poor Roads----- More preparatory work such as selective road upgrade on bends etc, cutting back vegetation/trees, drainage works. Reduced payload Avoiding convoys Reduced speeds Variable Tyre Pressure, wide tyres, twin tyres Temp suspension of activities Vehicle Selection

Vehicle Type and Road Wear Vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Road Wear NumberIndex Six axle rigid and trailer combination Six axle articulated combination Six axle articulated combination Five axle articulated combination axle rigid at 26 tonnes

Timber Haulage Management, Coillte Ongoing monitoring of load weights, with penalty system. Haulier Workshops re Coillte policy on Training, Certification and Compliance (2014). GPS tracking of Timber Trucks and Trailers (over 200 fitted) Central Dispatch System

Future? Increasing volumes of timber, private sector Increased ‘interest’ and focus on part of; Health and Safety Authority Road Safety Authority Local Authorities Communities Increased collaboration required FITG aiming for full regulatory compliance and Best Practice Thus ‘Managing Timber Transport, Good Practice Guide’