Multiagent based information dissemination in vehicular ad hoc networks

Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) are a compelling application of ad hoc networks, because of the potential to access specific context information (e.g. traffic conditions, service updates, route planning) and deliver multimedia services (Voice over IP, in-car entertainment, instant messaging, etc.). This paper proposes an agent based information dissemination model for VANETs. A two-tier agent architecture is employed comprising of the following: 1) 'lightweight', network-facing, mobile agents; 2) 'heavyweight', application-facing, norm-aware agents. The limitations of VANETs lead us to consider a hybrid wireless network architecture that includes Wireless LAN/Cellular and ad hoc networking for analyzing the proposed model. The proposed model provides flexibility, adaptability and maintainability for traffic information dissemination in VANETs as well as supports robust and agile network management. The proposed model has been simulated in various network scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach.