A Feasible Modular Mesh Networking Platform for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

As more wireless communications protocols become widely available, more affordable, and more capable, there exists an opportunity to combine standardized products with advanced mesh networking technology in such a way to dramatically improve on-the-move roadway vehicle communications capabilities. These capabilities can support the intelligent transportation system concepts for safety as well as provide consumer services. This paper discusses the scenarios and feasible deployments of such a combination of technology. These scenarios outline a characteristic combination of existing commercial off-the-shelf hardware and available software to meet a demand of supporting network consumers on multiple layers of the transit network. Critical to this discussion is a feasible cost-effective extensible implementation framework made possible through the inclusion of a robust mesh networking protocol. Unlike legacy cellular networks, initial investment can be more gradual while providing a robust regional capability.