An Optimal 1D Vehicular Accident Warning Algorithm for Realistic Scenarios

With the development of vehicular networks, it is possible to implement accident warning systems that directly (i.e., without any external supporting infrastructure) alert approaching vehicles. In this scenario, each vehicle is provided with a sensor that, under abnormal conditions, triggers an alarm message. A vehicle that receives this information: (a) warns the driver; and (b) relays such information to following vehicles for safety purposes. We here present an optimal algorithm for one dimensional (1D), multi-lane, strip-shaped portions of roads. It guarantees alarm messages are received along the minimum hop path, even when communications are asymmetric and transmission ranges vary from vehicle to vehicle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first algorithm capable of reaching such performance under realistic wireless propagation assumptions