System Analysis of Wood Logistics Solutions Mitigating Environmental Impact in Polish Conditions: A Methodological Approach

Efficient wood logistics is essential for a sustainable wood supply chain. In Poland, mounting symptoms of inefficiency highlight the need for a systematic and comprehensive performance assessment across the entire supply chain. Previous studies have predominantly focused on individual supply chain segments or specific stakeholder perspectives, but a comprehensive evaluation of wood supply chain efficiency in Poland remains unrealized. The study aimed to assess the efficiency of the timber supply chain at the Regional Directorate of State Forests level. The analysis encompasses the entire process from harvest planning to delivery to wood processing plants. The business-as-usual scenario derived from historical data is compared with improvement scenarios using a simulation–based optimization approach implemented in ArcGIS Pro 3.4.0. The scenarios are structured according to their decision-making impact: strategic logistics, tactical infrastructure, and operational routines. In total, 18 scenarios are developed to assess total operational costs, including environmental costs per m3 of timber. This covers harvesting, extraction, and transport across all feasible equipment combinations in Poland. The model’s performance was verified for timber harvesting and skidding.