A Comparative Study of Traditional and Decentralized Vehicle Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs): Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

This survey paper presents a comprehensive
comparative analysis of traditional and
decentralized Vehicle Ad-hoc Networks
(VANETs), which are wireless networks
established between vehicles to enhance road
safety and efficiency. The paper examines the
challenges and opportunities present in both
types of VANETs by evaluating their
respective architectures. Traditional VANETs
are characterized by centralized control and
communication involving a principal trusted
authority, whereas decentralized VANETs
are characterized by distributed control and
communication between vehicles without the
need for a third-party to mediate
communication between two vehicles. The
paper meticulously highlights the advantages
and disadvantages of both approaches,
providing a systematic evaluation of the
current state of VANETs. It analyzes the key
aspects of VANETs, such as security, privacy,
scalability, and reliability. The paper offers
insightful perspectives on the potential
benefits and limitations of traditional and
decentralized VANETs, including their
impact on traffic safety, communication
efficiency, and system complexity. The paper
discusses the applications of the existing
VANET-based systems, such as collision
avoidance, traffic congestion management,
and emergency services. It also provides
directions for future research and
development in the area, identifying the key
challenges and open research issues. It also
highlights the critical importance of security
and privacy in VANETs, emphasizing the
need to prevent malicious attacks and
unauthorized access to sensitive data. Overall,
the paper provides a valuable resource for
researchers and practitioners interested in
VANETs, offering a comprehensive and upto-date survey of the field, highlighting the
advantages and limitations of traditional and
decentralized VANETs, their applications,
and future research directions