Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (12): 1-.doi: 10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.250037

• Intelligent Transportation System •    

Modeling Methodologies for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Path Planning in Emergency Rescue: A Comprehensive Review and Prospect

PEI Mingyang1  SHAO Kangshun1  LI Linqing2  XU Fengjuan1,3   

  1. 1. School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China; 2. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China;

    3. School of Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China

  • Online:2025-12-25 Published:2025-07-18

Abstract:

With the rise of the low-altitude economy, the application scenarios of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are constantly expanding, and it play a significant role, especially in the field of emergency rescue. By virtue of its advantages such as high mobility and remote control, UAV has become key tools in various aspects of emergency rescue, including disaster monitoring, search and positioning, material delivery, and communication support. This paper comprehensively reviews the modeling methods of UAV path planning in the field of emergency rescue and the latest research progress, aiming to provide comprehensive theoretical references and technical guidance for researchers in related fields. In this paper, an overview of emergency rescue scenarios and the application requirements of UAV in different emergency rescue scenarios is first presented. Then, this paper systematically summarizes the modeling methods of UAV path planning, including dynamic models and task models, and conducts a detailed analysis of the elements such as constraint conditions, optimization objectives, and solution algorithms in path planning modeling. Finally, the challenges and opportunities faced by UAV path planning in emergency rescue are explored, and it is pointed out that technological development, collaborative operations of multiple UAV, and the integration of multiple fields are the opportunities for future development. The research of this paper provides theoretical support and practical reference for the further development and application of UAV path planning modeling.

Key words: UAV, emergency rescue, path planning, optimization model, review