A V2X-based approach for reduction of delay propagation in vehicular Ad-Hoc networks

In this paper we investigate the time delay propagation rates in a Vehicular Ad-Hoc Network, where vehicular connectivity is supported by both Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) protocols. In our vision, seamless connectivity issues in a VANET with nearby network infrastructure, can be fixed by an opportunistic choice of a vehicular protocol between V2V and V2I. Such a decision is taken by each vehicle whenever it needs to transmit messages. Our technique - called as Vehicle-to-X - represents a handoff procedure between V2V and V2I, and vice versa, in order to keep vehicles connected independent of mobility issues and traffic scenarios. We investigate the time delay as a performance metric for protocol switching, and present the time propagation rates which occur when vehicles are transmitting warning messages, via V2V or V2I. Simulation results show how the simultaneous usage of pre-existing network infrastructure, together with inter-vehicular communications, provides low delays; while traditional opportunistic vehicular communications increases the transmission time delays and does not guarantee seamless connectivity to vehicles.