Harvests from timber trees are collected every 15-21 years. But before logging and transport, existing forest roads for transporting wood need to be reviewed and repaired. Currently, this assessment is performed manually by shelling every 300m to obtain the thickness of the layer of aggregates per section. If it is under 12cm, it is necessary to add more gravel so that the road has at least 12cm thickness.
In this context, CMPC is looking for more efficient alternatives to measure forest road conditions. The solution to this challenge is open and may come through either a technology that quickly measures the thickness of gravel or through a new agile process that directly tests the mechanical capacity of the road for truck transit.
Participation is open to engineering companies, startups, specialists in soil mechanics and digital technologies applicable to the construction and maintenance of roads, etc. but also to any company from another industry or tech center willing to propose a solution to this challenge.
This is an innovation contest with the opportunity to co-develop with one of the largest Chilean multinationals with a presence in 11 countries and more than 50 plants producing wood, pulp, and other renewable products. The winner of the innovation challenge for the efficient assessment of forest roads conditions would start with an initial project to test the solution together with the CMPC team and would be rewarded with USD20,000 for validation.
Those interested in participating should register at www.ennomotive.com, accept the challenge, and submit their solution before 21 January 2024.
Source: https://www.ennomotive.com/challenge/fast-assessment-of-forest-roads-conditions/