Advancing hazardous materials transport safety: systematic insights on risks, challenges, and research gaps

The transportation of hazardous materials (Hazmat) has been essential to supply chains but has posed significant safety risks, resulting in severe human, environmental, and financial impacts. This study systematically reviewed 2078 publications from 1970 to 2022, focusing on trends, challenges, and research gaps in Hazmat transportation safety. Through bibliometric and systematic review methodologies, key areas of investigation, such as risk management, safety routing, and emergency response, were identified. A strong international collaborative network was revealed, with significant emphasis on managing risks. However, critical topics such as human factors, resilience engineering, and security were found to be underexplored. Despite advancements in risk assessment, important gaps remained in addressing dynamic risks and improving model validation using real-world data. Furthermore, it was concluded that future research should address these gaps while enhancing existing methodologies. This review provided a comprehensive analysis of the current research landscape, highlighting areas requiring further exploration and offering valuable insights into improving the safety and sustainability of Hazmat transportation systems. The findings are expected to guide future research efforts and inform policy development, ultimately contributing to the reduction of risks associated with Hazmat transport and advancing safer practices in this essential sector.