Drones in Disaster Management: A Review of Current Applications and Research Gaps

This post provides an overview of a comprehensive scoping review titled “Applications of drone in disaster management: A scoping review” published in Science & Justice (2022). The purpose of this post is to present the key findings and methodological approach, as well as to identify research gaps from the review, which systematically mapped the use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) in disaster scenarios.

It aims to inform researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about the evolving role of drone technology in emergency response and the potential for its expansion in underexplored domains.

The review by Syed Mohd Daud et al. (2022) synthesized findings from 52 peer-reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2020. These studies were selected based on a rigorous scoping review methodology developed by Arksey and O’Malley and further refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The authors sought to answer the central research question: What are the current applications of drones in disaster management, particularly in mass disaster events? The review also aimed to highlight gaps in current research and propose directions for future investigation.

Drones have become increasingly visible tools in disaster management over the last decade, especially since 2015. According to the review, drone use can be categorized into four primary applications: (1) mapping and damage assessment, (2) search and rescue, (3) transportation of emergency supplies, and (4) training for emergency response personnel.

Mapping and damage assessment emerged as the most frequent application. Drones have proven effective in collecting high-resolution aerial imagery for rapid evaluation of disaster-affected areas—especially in floods, landslides, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Compared to traditional satellite imagery and manual surveys, drones offer higher spatial resolution, quicker deployment, and cost-efficiency. In several case studies, drones outperformed conventional methods in terms of response speed and information accuracy.

Search and rescue operations are another significant domain. Drones equipped with thermal imaging, motion sensors, and deep learning algorithms have shown promising results in locating survivors and assessing difficult terrain. Notably, multi-drone systems and swarm coordination have demonstrated enhanced efficiency in covering large areas and improving victim detection.

While less common, drones have also been used to transport Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), insulin, and other medical supplies during emergencies, often arriving faster than traditional emergency services. Furthermore, drones are increasingly being used in training simulations to prepare emergency personnel for mass casualty incidents.

Despite the growing body of research, the review underscores several critical gaps and limitations. Most existing studies are simulations rather than real-world applications, potentially overestimating drone effectiveness. There is also a significant lack of research on drones’ roles in post-disaster healthcare, particularly Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)—a crucial yet underrepresented area in both forensic and humanitarian contexts.

Moreover, the review identifies challenges such as regulatory restrictions, poor inter-agency data sharing, technical limitations (e.g., weather sensitivity, battery life), and negative public perceptions. The authors call for standardized protocols, cross-sector collaboration, and better preparedness training to realize the full potential of drone technology in disaster settings.

In conclusion, this scoping review illustrates the increasing relevance of drones in disaster management and emergency response. While their use is expanding rapidly, there is a pressing need for empirical, real-world research—especially in healthcare-related applications like victim identification. With improved regulation, technological advancement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, drones can become indispensable tools in future disaster response frameworks.

You can access the full article “Applications of drone in disaster management: A scoping review” published in Science & Justice (2022) through the following link:

🔗 ScienceDirect – Full Article