The SMF extension allows the monitoring of forestry operations by converting the GPS data coming from the Truckbase GPS system into shapefile type files. It also comprises many other conversion and cleanup functions for faster data acquisition and cleaner results.

The SMF extension is presented as a toolbar directly accessible in ArcMap.

The processing steps are as follows:

• The importation of SLV files
• The creation of lines from the point data
  
• The creation of areas (polygons) from the line data

It is possible, through a simple manual step in ArcMap, to group the points by sectors. This tool can process data from multiple layers simultaneously, each layer representing a different machine in a common sector.

This function adds a field in each of the active point layer tables, and the specified value will be used during the creation of the lines and polygons.

Another function allows the user to apply a parameterizable filter to fit the user’s needs for each layer, this way eliminating redundant point data due to multiple trajectories and other factors.

The « Analyse de sentiers » (Path analysis) function allows the user to monitor his or her activities while following article 89 of the Regulation respecting standards of forest management for forests in the public domain (RSFM), i.e. the evaluation of the area occupied by skid roads as opposed to the total area of intervention, according to the Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife regulations.

This calculation is automatic after having entered the skid road data layer, the intervention area layer and azimuth lines that will cross said skid roads. You can then produce a report detailing the results by sector identification number.