Economic Comparison of Options for the Transport-Technological Development of the Forest Quarter Network

The article presents an economic comparison of options for the transport and technological development of forest quarters. It examines three principal layouts for main skid trails: diagonal, perpendicular, and curvilinear. The key comparison criterion is the skidding cost, which is directly determined by the average skidding distance. For each layout, detailed calculation models and analytical dependencies are developed to determine the average skidding distance and the skidding work (load-distance), taking into account the dynamics of quarter development and wood increment. A comparative analysis shows that each option has its own area of economic feasibility depending on the quarter's dimensions and the distribution of forest resources. The practical significance of the work lies in providing a tool for the quantitative justification of design decisions, which helps optimize operational costs, increase productivity, and reduce environmental impact on the forest ecosystem.