Introduction for IJFE special issue “forest engineering innovations and advancements”

摘要

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources andEnvironmental Conservation hosted the 41st AnnualCouncil on Forest Engineering (COFE) Meeting inWilliamsburg, Virginia at the Williamsburg Lodge inColonial Williamsburg July 15–18, 2018. The meeting was cochaired by Drs. Chad Bolding and Scott Barrett with thetheme Revolutionary Traditions, Innovative Industries.Meeting attendance was approximately 70 from 7 countries(Brazil, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden,and U.S.) and 21 U.S. states. The meeting began witha Sunday night icebreaker reception followed by Mondaygeneral sessions, a Tuesday field trip, and Wednesday concurrent technical sessions. General session topics included: 1)Innovations in Machine Design, Efficiency, and Safety, and 2)Global Forest Engineering Innovations. Invited industrialspeakers included: Chris Harwood, John Deere; MikeDuncan, Caterpillar; and Steve Jones, Peterson Pacific.Invited global innovations speakers included: Dr. KrisBrown, New Zealand; Dr. Luc Lebel, Canada; Dr. LarsEliasson, Sweden; Dr. Raffaele Spinelli, Italy; andMr. Angelo Moura, Brazil. Sixteen students were also inattendance representing Laval University – Canada, AuburnUniversity, Virginia Tech, University of Georgia, NorthernArizona University, University of Montana, West VirginiaUniversity, and the University of Stellenbosch – SouthAfrica. Concurrent technical session topics included: TheRole of Forest Operations, Supply Chain Efficiency,Operational Efficiency, Forest Roads and Site Impacts, TheLogging Workforce, Biomass, Harvesting Productivity andCosts, and Trucking and Transportation.