Abstract: The knowledge structure and evolutionary path of the field of underground utility tunnel and the hotspots and frontiers of the research of the utility tunnel are of great significance. Hence, the utility tunnel literatures collected in the Web of Science and Scopus database from 1970 to 2018 are taken as references, the visualization software CiteSpace is used to draw the knowledge maps of utility tunnel research, and the research development trend analysis, coauthored feature analysis, literature cocitation analysis and keyword cooccurrence analysis are carried out. The study results show that: (1) The current research of utility tunnel shows a rapid development trend. (2) Countries with rich research achievements are China, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, and the most productive authors are CurielEsparza J and CantoPerello J. (3) The research focuses on feasibility, decisionmaking, investment and financing, planning, design, construction, risk, safety, operation and maintenance, and management. (4) Future research trends and hotspots of utility tunnel will focus on innovation and application of investment and financing models, green construction technologies and integration construction, informatization and intelligent operation and maintenance management, sustainable development, etc. Finally, suggestions about strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and paying more attention to research on utility tunnel governance are proposed.

Key words: underground utility tunnel, literature characteristics, CiteSpace, knowledge mapping, research hotspots analysis, trend analysis