Aeolian sand hazards along the Taklimakan Desert Ring Railway: Current status, causes, and optimized protection system configuration in characteristic sandy regions

The Taklimakan Desert Ring Railway (TDRR), an economic artery and vital link for people’s livelihood in southern Xinjiang, plays a pivotal role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and bolstering national defense security. However, aeolian sand disasters pose the primary challenge to its safe operation. In this study, unmanned aerial vehicle mapping and meteorological data analysis were integrated to systematically assess the current state of aeolian sand disasters along the TDRR, reveal their causes, and propose optimized configurations for the protection system in typical sand disaster sections. The results indicate the following. First, although the existing sand-control system along the TDRR is generally effective, certain sections remain threatened by sand hazards. Substantial potential hazards are present in three key areas: (1) the Washixia-Qiemo segment, featuring tall and large dunes; (2) the west section of Minfeng County along the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway, which has mobile dunes; and (3) the lower reaches of the Tarim River along the Golmud-Korla Railway, where dry riverbeds are prevalent. Second, the overall wind energy environment along the TDRR is low, with an annual sand flux ranging from 0.21 to 8.34 m3·m-1. Areas of high wind energy and strong sand transport are primarily located in the open eastern region of the basin, which are most severely threatened by aeolian sand hazards. Third, the current engineering protection system along the TDRR primarily uses reed materials focused on “blocking and fixing” sand, achieving good overall control. Nevertheless, existing measures in localized sections with severe sand damage still require further optimization and upgrading to enhance their long-term protective capacity.