Abstract: The route alignment of communication lines and the wind situation in the drifting-sand regions influence the degree of wind-sand hazard. A case study of Tarim Desert Highway is carried out, the results show that the degree of wind-sand hunder the same climatic conditions, which reveals that the highway alignment has a strong influence to the degree of wind-sand hazard. The relationship between the alignment of routes and the degree of wind-sand hazard can not be simply judged by the prevailing direction of wind (the moving direction of dunes). On the one hand, the influence of route alignment to degree of wind-sand hazard can not be correctly judged by the angle between route alignment and prevailing direction of wind in mult-i directional area because of the offsetting effect of opposite direction wind. On the other hand, the angle can illustrate the hazard of moving dunes to the routes only, but can not judge the degree of sand-flown hazard. Based on the consideration of wind situation with the alignment of the Tarim Desert Highway, in this paper, the conversion rate of vertical component of wind-sand active intensity is regarded as the basis to judge the influence of the highway alignment to the degree of wind-sand hazard. The calculated results show that the overall alignment of the highway through QuaternaryRelief- land morphologic unit of the Middle Tarim Basin is disadvantageous for forming wind-sand disasters; that through Tarim River Fluvial plain, Paleo-lacustrine Plain of the North Tarim Basin and Niya Dry Delta (Northern Minfeng Uplift is contained) morphologic units are advantageous for forming wind-sand disasters, and the influence of alignment of the highway through Yatongus dry delta is moderate.

Key words: drifting-sand region, route alignment, wind-sand hazard, Tarim Desert Highway