Frank McCulloch CEng FICE, director of Arvikaconsult, provides an insight into the challenges involved in forest road construction, key things to take into account when planning a project, and what the future could look like.
Q) WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
A) I started my career with a major civil engineering company and moved to the Forestry Commission (FC) in the late ’70s as a land surveyor. Quickly I moved into construction management within the FC and held a number of management positions throughout the UK in my 33-year career with them. Latterly I headed the Forestry Civil Engineering Business Unit, finally as interim director for the FC Business Units. I started Arvikaconsult Ltd in 2012 and it now employs three members of staff including myself. The company specialises in solutions for low-traffic-volume roads and in the last few years has been working closely with the Highland Council (THC) designing and managing the structural improvement of fragile public roads for timber transport, receiving co-funding from the Scottish Timber Transport Fund.
Q) WHAT IS A TYPICAL PROJECT FOR YOU?
A) Projects vary considerably. The simplest piece of work would be a planning application for a forest access road, with the more complex being to design and manage £1 million-plus contracts for constructing a forest road and bridges network within a forest.
Q) WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE SECTOR?
A) Recently, the easiest bit in any construction project is the building of it and forestry is no different. Gaining all the consents prior to starting a project can take years. Requests for information are made with no understanding of the cost or time implications to the applicant. On a practical level, the age profile of civil engineering operators gives concern. Attracting new staff into working machines is expensive and problematic, especially if the work is in a remote area with limited accommodation.
Q) WHAT ARE THE BIG TALKING POINTS RIGHT NOW?
A) THC has been working on a project, co-funded by the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme, to monitor tyre pressures on timber trucks. In partnership with several hauliers, six units have been fitted which allow truck location, speed and tyre pressure setting to be monitored in real time.
Q) WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISTAKES IN CONSTRUCTION?
A) Limitations on the road geometry probably arise from the initial setting out of the road. It’s important to get this right from the outset. That said, roads are now being constructed in forests with difficult terrain and deviations from the standard specification can be required. Experience is required to know how and when to do this. On a practical level, the selection and manufacture of a road aggregate is essential, as is the compaction and drainage. Too often culvert lengths are restricted and the road narrows, providing a hazard for the road user. Remember to design for sufficient passing, turning, and stacking areas.
Q) WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER?
A) Getting the design right is essential. Remember the purpose of the road and plan accordingly. Communication with all parties involved in the project. Obtaining the services of an experienced and able contractor. Making sure the contractor understands what is required and any site restrictions. Regularly monitoring and discussing the project with the contractor ensuring the project is delivered safely and environmental standards are met.
Q) ANY STANDOUT MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER?
A) Being part of the creation of Forestry Civil Engineering. It brought focus for the forest industry regarding best practice for the design and construction of forest roads and bridges. For several years I was a steering group member of ROADEX, through which I helped introduce tyre pressure control systems for timber trucks in the UK, now seen as the norm for the industry when accessing fragile public and forest roads.Presently, I am working with the Woodland Trust on accessing Loch Arkaig Pine Wood for the harvesting of non-native trees. The site has many environmental restrictions and specifically had to avoid large mature trees on the road edge. I first looked at this project in the late ’80s and it’s great to be finally delivering a solution.
Q) WHAT IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION?
A) The increased use and quality of GPS and mapping tools have been of great benefit in setting out the road alignment. The introduction of geogrids and geotextiles with better understanding as to how they work has also produced significant benefits for the industry. Prefabricated concrete blocks for bridge abutments have sped up construction and reduced environmental risk. In the future, road design will need to accommodate self-driving vehicles and how this will be achieved in a forest setting will be a challenge! I was at a conference in 2019 with attendees from across the world and the talk was when the vehicles will be introduced, not if. With the roll-out of 5G it will come probably sooner than we think.
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