Improving Timber Trucking Performance by Reducing Variability of Log Truck Weights

Abstract We evaluated weight data from 79,760 truckloads delivered to 24 southern forest products mills to assess opportunities for improving trucking efficiency by reducing the variability of gross, tare, and net weights. We compared the mean gross vehicle weight (GVW) at each mill to the federal weight limit of 40 tons and to any mill overweight policy. A benchmark group of suppliers was identified at each mill as the five with the lowest coefficient of variation (CV) on their GVWs to compare with the other suppliers at each mill. All mills had mean GVWs significantly different from the federal limit at the 90% confidence level or stronger. A majority of loads delivered to each mill (77–100%) complied with mill GVW policies. At most mills, the benchmark group had higher mean GVWs and net weights, as well as lower GVW variability. Decreased GVW variability was associated with higher payloads. Mean tare weight and mean net weight exhibited an approximately 1:1 relationship at 15 mills. Benchmark groups at 14 mills had significantly larger payloads, and we project that they had 4–14% lower per-ton hauling costs than other suppliers at the mills. These results suggest that operating at the reduced variability level of the benchmark groups across the 221 million tons of roundwood annually consumed in the US South could result in a savings of $100 million annually.

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Improving Log Trucking Efficiency by Using In-Woods Scales

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/35.4.178 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 178-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ryan P. Reddish ◽

Shawn A. Baker ◽

W. Dale Greene

Keyword(s):

Coefficient Of Variation ◽

Forest Products ◽

Fuel Prices ◽

Southern States ◽

Vehicle Weight ◽

Gross Vehicle Weight ◽

The Mean ◽

Weight Data

Abstract We evaluated weight data from 47,953 truckloads of wood delivered to forest products mills in nine southern states to determine the effect of in-woods scale use on reducing the variability of net and gross weights. Four mill-owning companies provided the data and indicated whether in-woods scales were used for each load. We used these data to compare the mean tare, net, and gross weights of truckloads using scales to those not using scales. Trucks using scales had average tare weights only 108 lb greater, but their net payload averaged 1,799 lb higher than trucks not using scales. The coefficient of variation for the net payload was 38% lower for loads with scales than those without (P < 0.001). Individual southern states have different regulations regarding maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW), so we calculated a GVW index to remove state bias and allow comparisons of loads across states. Loads using scales were within 2% of the legal maximum GVW 54% of the time compared with 30% for loads not weighed in-woods. We estimated haul costs for trucks using scales at $7.44 per ton, compared with $7.74 per ton for trucks not using scales (P < 0.001). We found that 11% of loads with in-woods scales had haul costs exceeding $8.00 per ton, compared with 32% of loads not using scales. Across all data, scales represent a 4% savings on per-ton haul costs with even greater savings available as fuel prices increase.

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Collection of Nontimber Forest Products from State Forests in the US South

Journal of Forestry ◽

10.5849/jof.15-043 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 114 (2) ◽

pp. 85-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gregory E. Frey ◽

James L. Chamberlain

Keyword(s):

Forest Products ◽

Nontimber Forest Products ◽

Us South ◽

The Us

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Consulting Forester Timber Sale Practices in the US South

Forest Science ◽

10.1093/forsci/fxz068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 221-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Patrick M Grove ◽

Joseph L Conrad ◽

Thomas G Harris ◽

Joseph Dahlen

Keyword(s):

Forest Products ◽

Forest Products Industry ◽

Us South ◽

Southern States ◽

Lump Sum ◽

Timber Sales ◽

Consulting Firms ◽

The Us ◽

Timber Sale ◽

Percent Response Rate

Abstract Private timber sale transactions are vital to the forest products industry in the US South. Consulting foresters often assist private landowners in administering timber sales, and their decisions and practices have a major impact on landowner compensation, satisfaction, and market efficiency. This study used a mixed-mode survey of consulting foresters in 11 southern states to examine contract terms, timber sale practices, and market conditions on private sales. Responses were received from 430 consultants, resulting in a 37 percent response rate. Final harvests are primarily offered to bidders, whereas thinnings are more likely to have timber prices negotiated. Pay-as-cut payment terms are typical for thinnings, but less common in the Mountains where lump sum is relatively more common. Well under 50 percent of firms from the Coastal Plain and Piedmont conduct presale inventories on thinnings, whereas nearly two-thirds of firms in the Mountains use inventories on these types of harvests. Fewer than 25 percent of responding foresters suggested that restrictive quotas reduced landowner revenue on pay-as-cut timber sales. Consulting firms reporting that sawtimber quotas were never a problem in their area reported at least two more sawtimber outlets than those concerned about restrictive mill quotas.

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Growth of Vegetarian Children: The Farm Study

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.84.3.475 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 475-481

Author(s):

Joan M. O'Connell ◽

Michael J. Dibley ◽

Janet Sierra ◽

Barbara Wallace ◽

James S. Marks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Reference Population ◽

Vegetarian Diet ◽

Child Growth ◽

Growth Reference ◽

The Us ◽

The Mean ◽

Weight Data ◽

Height For Age ◽

Weight For Age

To examine the effects of a vegetarian diet on child growth, height and weight data of 404 vegetarian children aged 4 months to 10 years who lived in a collective community in Tennessee were studied. Height for age, weight for age, and weight for height were compared with the US growth reference. Birth weights, infant feeding patterns, and parental heights were also evaluated in relation to growth. Most of the height for age, weight for age, and weight for height (n = 833) were within the 25th and 75th percentiles of the US growth reference. The mean height for age and weight for age, however, were slightly less than the median of the reference population. For different age groups, the mean height ranged from 0.2 to 2.1 cm and the mean weight ranged from 0.1 to 1.1 kg less than the reference median. The largest height difference was observed at 1 to 3 years of age and may be partly the result of intrinsic irregularities in the US growth reference at those ages. By 10 years of age, children from The Farm averaged 0.7 cm and 1.1 kg less than the reference median, representing only 0.1 and 0.3 SD from the reference. Thus, these children have adequate attained growth, even though it was modestly less than that of the reference population.

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579. A study of variation in twin cattle: IV. Emergence of permanent incisor teeth

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900007652 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 127-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

G. Wiener ◽

H. P. Donald

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Coefficient Of Variation ◽

The Other ◽

Left And Right ◽

The Mean ◽

Mz Twins

1. Data are presented on variation in age at eruption of permanent incisor teeth in one-egg (MZ) and two-egg (DZ) twins and in pairs of half sisters (HZ). The 1st pair of incisors erupted when animals were on average 100 weeks old and the other three pairs came at roughly 26-week intervals thereafter. Variation in age at eruption increased from 1st to 4th incisors, but the coefficient of variation remained constant at about 8%. The mean interval between eruption and complete emergence was about 5 weeks for the first three pairs of teeth and nearly 10 weeks for the 4th pair.2. Variation in age at eruption within MZ pairs was no greater than that between left and right sides of the same animal. DZ displayed greater within-pair variances than MZ twins, and HZ pairs greater than DZ.3. Correlations of age at eruption of teeth with body weight and with gain in weight were negative but non-significant. Age at eruption of 1st and of 3rd teeth was positively correlated with age at 1st and 2nd calving, but eruption of 2nd and of 4th teeth was not.4. For 2nd, 3rd and 4th incisors, the intra-pair variance of the HZ group was in excess of that expected. This can be interpreted to mean that the estimates of environmental and genetic variation derivable from MZ and DZ pairs are not adequate to account for all the variation within HZ pairs.

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Evaluation of the validity of the FRAX® algorithm for predicting risk of osteoporotic fracture in Iran

Osteologie/Osteology ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1622058 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (03) ◽

pp. 183-186

Author(s):

F. Amininezhad ◽

M. Qorbani ◽

M. Dini ◽

Z. Mohammadi ◽

P. Khashayar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Osteoporotic Fracture ◽

Fragility Fracture ◽

The Other ◽

Good Discrimination ◽

Men And Women ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Us ◽

Discriminative Value ◽

The Mean ◽

Probability Rate

SummaryThe present study was designed to determine the most applicable FRAX® model for the Iranian population. Methods: Seventy four men and women (with the mean age of 70 years), who had experienced at least a fragility fracture in their life, along with 162 individuals with no such an experience (with the mean age of 66 years), were enrolled in this study. Fracture probabilities were calculated using FRAX® models from Jordan, Lebanon and the US.We found a significant difference in the probability rate between the fracture cases and the controls; the rate, however, was lower than the recommended threshold for intervention, especially for the Lebanese and the Jordanian models.As for women all the three models had a good discrimination value, while the Lebanese and the Jordanian model needed to be revised. As for men, on the other hand, the Jordanian model had a low discriminative value. The Lebanese model, despite its acceptable discrimination value, needed a revision regarding its threshold. The US model was the most compatible.

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Judicial Review of Administrative Reasoning Processes

The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Administrative Law ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198799986.013.48 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 855-880

Author(s):

Hanna Wilberg

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

New Zealand ◽

Judicial Review ◽

Administrative Law ◽

The Other ◽

Us South ◽

Starting Point ◽

The Us ◽

Judicial Scrutiny ◽

And Control

This chapter surveys the comparative administrative law literature on the judicial scrutiny and control of administrative reasoning processes. The chapter takes as its starting point the English, Australian, and New Zealand approach to this topic—commonly known in these jurisdictions as judicial review on the grounds of improper purpose, irrelevant considerations, and mandatory considerations. Some minor divergences between these jurisdictions are noted, as is the fact that the French approach shares at least some similar features. The chapter then identifies a range of other jurisdictions whose law on this topic has one or more features that differ from the English approach in interesting and potentially illuminating ways. The other jurisdictions touched on are Canada, the US, South Africa, Germany, and China. The different approaches identified are: no review of reasoning processes, scrutiny of reasoning processes on a much broader basis, different approaches to the intensity of review, and a shift away from review of reasoning processes to assessment of outcomes. The final sections of the chapter briefly consider possible correlations with system types, and offer some concluding reflections.

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Use of georeferenced data to study clustering in the primary wood products industry of the US South

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x09-161 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 2494-2504 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Francisco X. Aguilar ◽

Robert K. Grala ◽

Stephen M. Bratkovich

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Spatial Clustering ◽

Forest Products ◽

Wood Products ◽

Transportation Infrastructure ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Land Values ◽

Us South ◽

The Us ◽

Wood Products Industry

Forest business clusters offer a unique opportunity to improve competitiveness of the forest products sector and stimulate economic development in rural areas. This study utilized georeferenced data on the location of primary wood products manufacturers in the US South to examine spatial clustering within this industry. Independent spatial analyses, F-hat and L-hat, and a χ2 statistic provided evidence of regional clustering. A count data model was used to determine location preference of primary wood-using mills and identify factors promoting industry clustering. It was determined that access to a labor pool, low cost of primary inputs, presence of related industries, adequate transportation infrastructure, and low land values positively influenced clustering among primary wood-using mills. A marginal analysis indicated that counties with adequate transportation infrastructure and presence of related industries were most likely to attract new primary forest products manufacturers. These two factors increased the predicted number of sawmills by 26.83% and 22.65%, respectively. Increases in prices of logs and energy can deter the spatial aggregation of wood-using mills. Results provide evidence that public investments in infrastructure can have an important role in attracting wood products industry firms.

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