ASH: Application-aware SWANS with highway mobility

Most VANET simulators do not allow for feedback between the vehicle mobility model and the network simulator. This limits the realistic simulation of safety and traffic information applications that might cause drivers to change their routes. To address this issue, we developed extensions to the SWANS wireless network simulator. Our SWANS modules, which we collectively call ASH (Application-aware SWANS with Highway mobility), make several contributions. ASH allows for the needed two-way communication between the mobility model and the networking model. To support highway scenarios, we built in ASH a customizable highway topology, allowing entrances, exits, and variable number of lanes. ASH includes implementations of the existing IDM car-following and MOBIL lane-changing models, as well as the Inter-Vehicle Geocast data dissemination protocol. To facilitate diverse simulations, ASH enhances the node model in SWANS to allow for the presence of non-participating vehicles and obstacles, along with participating vehicles and road-side infrastructure. These additions to the scalable SWANS simulator will allow for realistic VANET simulations of important safety and traffic information applications.