Energy-Aware Communication Strategies for Sustainable Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks

Abstract

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) built on IEEE 802.11 technology are a powerful tool for making our roads safer and our traffic flow more efficient [12]. However, the high energy demands of mobile nodes (vehicles) in these networks pose a major challenge to their sustainability, especially in dense, fast-moving traffic [3]. This study addresses this challenge by proposing and evaluating a suite of energy-efficient communication strategies. We focus on three core techniques: an adaptive power control mechanism that fine-tunes the transmission strength [1, 7], an energy-aware routing protocol that balances the load across vehicles [2, 8], and an efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that minimizes idle power drain [6, 9]. Our simulation results confirm that this multi-pronged approach significantly enhances the energy efficiency of VANETs without compromising network performance, paving the way for more sustainable intelligent transportation systems in the future.