Applied differential comparative study of VANET simulators: TrAD protocol study using veins and VNS VANET simulators in both real and standard city maps

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) by analysing the performance of two leading simulation frameworks: VEINS and VNS. With the increasing demand for efficient vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, understanding the capabilities of data dissemination protocols is crucial for enhancing traffic safety and optimizing route management. We investigate the traffic adaptive data (TrAD) protocol, which dynamically adapts to real-time traffic conditions to ensure reliable communication in high-density vehicular scenarios. Simulations were conducted using OMNeT++ with VEINS and NS-3 with VNS across urban environments in Manhattan and Tlemcen, evaluating TrAD’s effectiveness under diverse traffic conditions. The findings offer valuable insights into the operational strengths of the two simulation frameworks and their implications for advancing vehicular communication systems. This work contributes to the development of robust VANET protocols, supporting innovations in smart and sustainable transportation systems.