Providing ubiquitous communication using road-side units in VANET systems: unveiling the challenges

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) are a long-term solution contributing significantly towards Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in providing access to critical life-safety applications and services. Although Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are attracting greater commercial interest, current research has not adequately captured the real-world constraints in VANET handover techniques. Therefore, in order to have the best practice for VANET services, it is necessary to have seamless connectivity for optimal coverage and ideal channel utilization: this comes at the cost of overlapping signals of adjacent RSUs. This overlapping effect can be investigated using concepts such Network Dwell Time, Time Before Handover and Exit Times. In this simulation study we investigate the feasibility and benefits of providing a ubiquitous communication in VANET under different mobile environments. We also study the impact of beacon frequency and velocity on Network Dwell Time, Time Before Handover and Exit Times, which will help us to predict the handover times and thus make proactive handover possible. Therefore understanding handover issues is critical in supporting life-safety applications and services in VANETs.