Charting the Evolutionary Trajectory and Future Research Frontiers of the Sustainable Vehicle Routing Problems

Background: The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is foundational to logistics optimization, yet its alignment with the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains fragmented. This study conducts a strategic bibliometric audit of 301 peer–reviewed publications (1992–2025) to quantify the evolutionary progression and thematic maturity of sustainable routing research. Methods: A four–stage scientometric framework was employed, utilizing Scopus–based data retrieval, longitudinal mapping, and Python 3.14–driven text mining to visualize keyword co–occurrence networks, author collaborations, and regional research clusters. Results: Findings reveal a pronounced “Sustainability Asymmetry,” where 51.5% of studies prioritize economic efficiency, while only 2.6% address the social pillar. Additionally, social sustainability remains an “isolated island” with minimal cross–citation to the research core. Geographic analysis identifies a heavy concentration in China, the USA, and Western Europe, uncovering a critical North–South—collaboration gap. Conclusions: The study proves that while environmental themes reached maturity between 2018 and 2022, social indicators exhibit a significant maturity lag. This quantified social deficit, centered on the neglect of SDG 3 and SDG 10, mandates a fundamental paradigm shift toward a geographically inclusive and socially conscious research agenda to ensure global logistical equity.