This study explores the use of inter vehicle communication to enhance road safety and traffic management. A vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) manages and controls various sensor signals, inputs and determines the output in terms of torque, fuel quantity and actuator positions. The data available in the ECU is however restricted only to that particular vehicle where it was generated. This work presents a scenario where critical data from each vehicle is broadcasted and a dynamic ad-hoc network of vehicles is formed. The algorithms in the ECU then detect possible collisions, decides which vehicle should take action and alerts the driver with the most optimum resolution. The analysis presented here is based on simulation data. Traffic management is achieved with modules placed along the road, which collect the broadcasted data. Modules, after analysing traffic density and average speeds, interact with neighbouring modules. This traffic information is broadcasted to all vehicles in close proximity to the traffic modules. The vehicle uses this information along with details from the navigation system to reroute the automobile to avoid high traffic areas. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting