Analysis and Evaluation of Secure Routing Protocols for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) Using Network Simulator

Abstract

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs), derived from Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), facilitate spontaneous inter-vehicle communication to support Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Although VANETs stem from MANETs, they differ significantly in mobility patterns, energy constraints, and topological dynamics. Routing in VANETs poses challenges due to high node mobility, frequent topology changes, and the critical importance of secure and timely data delivery. Traditional MANET routing protocols often fall short when applied to VANETs. This paper investigates the exposure in VANET routing protocols, emphasizing the need for secure routing mechanisms to counteract attacks such as denial of service and protocol manipulation. Through simulation using Network Simulator-3 (NS-3), we analyze various VANET routing protocols, evaluating their performance in terms of latency and scalability. We compare these results with previously published studies and provide insights into the effectiveness and resilience of each protocol in dynamic vehicular environments.