UTOSPF: A distributed dynamic route guidance system based on Wireless Sensor Networks and Open Shortest Path First protocol

Recent advancements in wireless communications and electronics have caused the emergence of a new type of networks called Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). WSNs have some unique features such as autonomy, low cost, tiny size, simple and fast deployment and high scalability, and many applications have been forecasted for them. In recent years, many WSN-based applications were proposed for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In this paper, UTOSPF-Urban Traffic Open Shortest Path First-a novel distributed system based on WSNs and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol is proposed that collects the real-time traffic information from roads, and based on this information, the optimal routes for every destination will be found and drivers will be informed via Variable Message Signs (VMS) or special transceivers. Fast and low cost deployment, high scalability, autonomy and distributed processing are main features of this system that make it suitable for using in urban environments. Simulation results showed that UTOSPF improve the average speed of vehicles up to 40% as compared to random routes in the simulated scenario.