Drones in disaster management: evaluating research patterns, impact, and knowledge structure

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on the application of drone technology in disaster management from 2001 to 2024. Using bibliometric techniques, the study examines publication trends, influential sources, leading authors and institutions, collaboration networks, and the evolving thematic structure of the field. The results reveal a substantial growth in scientific output, particularly after 2018, with a sharp increase between 2021 and 2024, indicating rapidly expanding interest in drone-based disaster monitoring, emergency response, and risk reduction. Citation analysis highlights several foundational studies from the early 2000s that shaped the field, followed by a surge of newer contributions as drone technologies advanced. Leading journals such as Proceedings of SPIE, Drones, Remote Sensing, ISPRS Archives, and Sensors play a significant role in disseminating research in this domain. The analysis also shows strong contributions from major research institutions in China and the United States, reflecting the technological leadership of these countries. Thematic and conceptual analyses indicate a shift from early remote sensing and geospatial applications toward advanced technological themes, including autonomous navigation, motion planning, reinforcement learning, and IoT-enabled disaster monitoring systems. Two dominant research clusters emerge: UAV technological development and disaster management applications. Collaboration network analysis further reveals strong international partnerships, particularly between the United States, China, and European research groups, alongside increasing participation from Asia- Pacific and Middle Eastern countries. The study identifies emerging research directions, including multi-UAV coordination, improved communication resilience, regulatory frameworks, and integration of drone systems into emergency response and smart city infrastructures. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and future research pathways for drone-based disaster management.