Modeling and analysis of traffic warning message dissemination system in VANETs

Abstract

As the preferred underpinning technology of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have been widely used to cope with various traffic problems. However, implementing application-specific message dissemination in VANETs with fewer message dissemination is a challenge since, in fact, it is not meaningful for some vehicles to get such a message for the application requirements for alleviating traffic congestion. Thus, this paper proposes a traffic warning message dissemination system (TWMDS) framework together with a protocol for traffic warning messages (TWMs) dissemination called the reverse routing protocol (RRP). With TWMDS, when an abnormal traffic event (ATE) occurs, the vehicle causing this event generates a standardized TWM. This message is then forwarded only to the vehicles that may enter the potential congestion area (PCA) via vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-intersection interactions. In addition, three colored petri net models are developed to model and analyze the interaction behavior of TWMDS. In this way, we show the correctness and reliability of RRP and provide a feasibility measure for the subsequent development and implementation of TWMDS. Finally, we use Veins framework integrating OMNeT++ and SUMO to simulate the TWMDS functional modules, which further validates that RRP has a higher application value compared with three other routing protocols in TWMDS. With TWMDS, drivers can re-route their traveling paths as soon as possible to alleviate traffic congestion.