Vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity on two parallel roadways with a general headway distribution

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) connectivity via a multihop connectivity process underlies vehicular ad hoc networks that enable vehicles to disseminate traffic-related information through short-range wireless communication. In this paper, we propose analytical models for the vehicle connectivity on two parallel roadways, assuming general distributions for vehicle headways. Specifically, we derive models for the expectation, variance and probability distribution of information propagation distance. Closed form approximation to the expectation is developed and is numerically shown to agree well with the exact models. Monte Carlo simulation results further validate the proposed models. Through simulations, the developed models are also shown to have overcome the deficiencies associated with the commonly used one-roadway models and models with the Poisson assumption for vehicle distribution.

► This research generalizes the vehicle headway distribution in studying the propagation distance along two parallel roads. ► This generalization allows for robust design of the IVC system according to ANY vehicle headway distribution. ► The information propagation distance is measured by its mean, variance and probability distribution. ► The results about information propagation are fundamental to design of ad hoc vehicular networks.