Technology-Driven Emergency Mass Evacuation: An Operations and Engineering Management Perspective

Mass evacuation during disasters remains one of the most complex challenges in emergency management, particularly in urban areas where mobility constraints, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and human behavioral dynamics intersect. This study adopts an operations and engineering management (O&EM) perspective, focusing on technology-driven solutions to enhance evacuation planning and execution. Emerging technologies are classified into five application categories: early warning and forecasting systems, social behavior analysis, evacuation planning and strategy formulation, emergency transportation management, and shelter and relief operations. We provide an overview of emerging technologies, drawing on interdisciplinary literature in the fields of disaster management, logistics, and information systems. A special focus is placed on technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, autonomous technologies, spatial analytics, and mobile platforms, and an attempt is made to examine their role in improving the mass evacuation process. A structured framework aligned with the evacuation timeline is introduced to map these technologies, from hazard prediction to post-displacement sheltering and recovery. By linking technological capabilities to operational challenges, this paper aims to propose practical solutions for crisis managers, emergency planners, and policymakers in developing evacuation strategies. In addition, the study identifies the existing research gaps and outlines directions for the future.