Cluster based emergency message dissemination scheme for vehicular Ad Hoc networks

Wireless and mobile communications has experienced an unprecedented rapid growth during the last decade. Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are a completely wirelessly connected through the nodes, which usually has dynamic topologies. VANETs can be employed in many applications such as traffic control, safety related message dissemination, and entertainment infotainment. Broadcast storm problem is one of the hot issues in VANETs as it lacks of central management. Many methods are proposed to solve this problem, such as p-persistence based, 1-persistance based, and counter based schemes. However, all of the related works have weaknesses that cannot be ignored either associated with intersection problem or limited environment. In this paper, a novel clustering algorithm is proposed that guarantees efficient clustering. Thereafter, an efficient cluster maintenance mechanism is proposed. Then we show how the emergency messages are transmitted in proposed cluster structure. Finally, the simulation study confirms the availability and efficiency of the proposed clustering algorithm.