Connectivity in inter-vehicle ad hoc networks

A two-stage simulation model is developed to investigate the effects of free flow traffic on connectivity in inter-vehicle ad hoc networks. A traffic microsimulator generates vehicle movement in a multi-lane, unidirectional highway, and a simple network model maintains connectivity graphs between the moving vehicles. The free flow conditions allow vehicles to travel at their maximum velocities, virtually unobstructed by other vehicles because of low vehicle density. We examine some factors that determine the network´s ability to maintain an active communication session between a pair of vehicles. Vehicle density, relative velocity, and number of lanes are found to have a key influence on connectivity. The effect of distance, however, depends on the communication range. We also find that the probability distribution of connection lifetime resembles a power law function.