Mapping the knowledge domain of soft computing applications for emergency evacuation studies: A scientometric analysis and critical review

• A critical review integrating the scientometric analysis is prosed. • An objective quantitative visualization is developed to summarize the extent, geographic distribution, and multidisciplinary knowledge related to the domain of soft computing applications for emergency evacuation studies. • A framework with current research hotspots is built for crowd modelling, evacuation simulation, and optimizations. • The research frontiers of the topic, method, and technology can serve as a guideline to incorporate the elements of evacuation and hybrid soft computing approaches. Emergency evacuation is viewed as a common strategy adopted during the disaster preparedness stage of evacuation to ensure the safety of potentially affected populations. In emergency evacuation studies, soft computing approaches and methodologies have been widely used to support effective decision-making, providing robust and low-cost solutions. To understand the current status and trends of research on soft computing applications for emergency evacuation studies, 778 related studies published in the core database of Web of Science from 2000 to 2020 were considered in this study. A scientometric analysis and a comprehensive review were performed using a scientific mapping of the knowledge domain. This paper presents a set of analyses with the following primary objectives: (1) to explore and visualize the bibliometric characteristics and contents of the academic field concerned with the soft computing approaches for emergency evacuation; and (2) to review and analyze the knowledge, hotspots, and future outlooks related to soft computing approaches for emergency evacuation. The results provide some important insights regarding the existing soft computing methods that have been used in the emergency evacuation field over the past 20 years. Based on the conducted review, this paper proposes that future studies should concentrate on exploring the potential of innovative soft computing approaches for crowd modelling and enabling more accurate evacuation simulation and optimization.