Factors affecting the alignment of hill road
The main factors to be considered while deciding the alignment of hill roads, are as discussed. Length : The cost of construction of a hill road per kilometer length is comparatively very high. It should therefore be ensured that length of the road connecting two stations should be minimum possible, adopting ruling gradients along its most of the length. Altitude of the road : At lower altitudes, large number of cross drainage works are required to be constructed. Where as at higher altitudes, the road pavement may witness snowfall during winter. This is why the align-ment of hill roads should preferably by provided at an altitude between 900 m slopes exposed to sum. The hill slopes which are subjected to high winds should never be selected unless and until there is no other alternative. In northern hemisphere, southern slopes of the hills are more suitable than northern slopes which remain tin shades and are usually subjected to high winds. Saddles or Passes : While locating