A Scientometric Analysis and Overview of Research on Infrastructure Externalities

Abstract

There is a growing level of concern regarding infrastructure externalities globally. However, most of the previous relevant reviews were undertaken manually and few of them covered all infrastructure systems. This study conducted a scientometric analysis and overview of the research on externalities of all infrastructure systems. The analysis results of 743 articles that were rigorously selected first showed the increasing trend of research interest in infrastructure externalities. Moreover, the results demonstrated productive and influential journals, scholars, and institutions, and their collaboration networks. Furthermore, research on the spillover effects of the infrastructure on economic growth, airport-related externalities, road transport-related externalities, and externalities of ecosystem services and energy systems were identified as the four main research domains. The evolution of the research is reflected in the focus change from economic aspects to environment aspects, from government governance to assessing and pricing by the market, and from airport to other infrastructure systems. Additionally, this study identified the scientific knowledge base supporting each research domain. Finally, this study pointed out research gaps and future research directions in the aspects of knowledge base, multi-dimensional evaluation, and multiple governance strategies. The results could cultivate deeper and more carefully focused research into this field in the academic community, and assist policymakers and practitioners in research planning and funding efforts.