Study on Simulators of Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks for Evaluating the Performance in Certain Traffic

Abstract

Recently, the use of traffic monitoring applications is very common. Many of these, for example, have algorithms that seek the fastest way for the driver to complete the journey. Vehicular networks can be used to collect information in real time, such as traffic flow, accidents and congestion, helping to decongest the already chaotic traffic in cities. Thus, the use of vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) in this case adds greater reliability, robustness and automation to traffic control systems. Practical experiments using VANETs are scarce; therefore, it is of great importance to validate simulations and ensure that they are explored and studied by researchers in this area. According to our surveys, works that address real measurements are fewer in number compared to software simulations. One of these factors, for example, is the development of drivers and software for the equipment and the high complexity of making such experiments available. Another point that also justifies the low number of actual measurements is the high cost of the equipment that supports the IEEE 802.11p standard, as it is still not widespread in the market. The main objective of this work is to carry out a study on vehicle ad-hoc network simulators and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each simulator covered. Particularly, a VANET network capable of operating in the IEEE 802.11p standard is simulated, evaluating performance in certain traffic characteristics.