Disseminating real-time traffic information in vehicular ad-hoc networks

In this paper we propose an algorithm for disseminating reports about real-time traffic conditions in vehicular ad-hoc networks. Using this method, each vehicle makes local decision on when to disseminate reports, how many to disseminate, and which reports to disseminate. In order to deal with the bandwidth and memory constraints, reports are prioritized in terms of their value, as reflected by supply and demand. We compare the proposed algorithm with Grassroots, an existing VANET dissemination algorithm. The comparison is based on simulation of vehicle mobility in a real road network and of the 802.11 protocol. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms Grassroots in the environments where VANET dissemination is challenging.