Classification Systems Applied to Forest Road Planning: Research Gap Analysis

Abstract

Forest road planning incorporates crucial strategies essential for sustainable timber extraction, minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring safe access to forest regions. This paper presents a literature review conducted to examine publications related to forest roads to ultimately filter and evaluate the information on the incorporation of classification systems in the planning strategies for forest roads. Using the Scopus database to gather publications, various data points were mapped, such as temporal distribution of publications, citation metrics, keyword inputs and other bibliometric markers. Through the bibliometric visualization software VOSviewer 1.6.19, this study determined that over the years, the forest road research subject has gained increasing attention with different shifts in focus. However, upon investigating the application of systems of classification implemented on forest road networks, it became evident that this approach is not a recent innovation and there is scarce documentation and development regarding this planning strategy. The information collected also reveals that this type of classification can be found more in technical documents, like design manuals. This outcome suggests that the subject under study is not relevantly covered in forest-related journals, but rather by institutions aiming to identify region-specific needs and develop corresponding systems accordingly.