VRACE-VANET : Fuzzy-based Relaible Adaptive Clustering Approach For Connectivity Enhancement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37385/jaets.v7i2.9444Keywords:
Vehicular Network, Fuzzy Systems, Clustering approach, Connectivity, Vehicle to Vehicle CommunicationAbstract
Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) play an important role in ensuring reliable communication in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). This helps to improve efficient transportation services for vehicles. However, several existing clustering methods such as mobility based and weighted clustering algorithms, which face challenges in maintaining stability in clusters. This issue is further pronounced in environments where there is high vehicle mobility and periodic changes in network structure. Therefore, to overcome these drawbacks, this study proposes Vehicular Reliable Adaptive Clustering Environment (VRACE), an adaptive clustering method based on a fuzzy approach. This incorporates queuing theory to improve the cluster stability and communication efficiency of the network. This method selects the cluster heads based on several factors such as relative mobility, direction of vehicles, link quality, travel direction and vehicle speed. Estimating these factors allows the structure to make adaptive decisions suitable for dynamic vehicular environments. This system was evaluated through simulation under different vehicle density scenarios using SUMO and NS2. The proposed method improves overall network performance by showing approximately 14% increase in cluster lifetime, 2.5% higher throughput, 4.3% improvement in packet delivery ratio (PDR) and 22.5% reduction in end-to-end delay. These findings indicate that VRACE can support reliable communication in dense and rapidly changing vehicular networks.
Downloads
References
Aissa, M., Bouhdid, B., Ben Mnaouer, A., Belghith, A., & AlAhmadi, S. (2022). SOFCluster: Safety‐oriented, fuzzy logic‐based clustering scheme for vehicular ad hoc networks. Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies, 33(3), e3951. https://doi.org/10.1002/ett.3951
Alagumani, S., & Natarajan, U. M. (2025). Q-learning and fuzzy logic multi-tier multi-access edge clustering for 5g v2x communication. Network: Computation in Neural Systems, 36(1), 174–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/0954898X.2024.2309947
Aravindkumar, S., & Varalakshmi, P. (2022). VANET: Optimal cluster head selection using opposition based learning. Intelligent Automation & Soft Computing, 33(1), 601–617. https://doi.org/10.32604/iasc.2022.023783
Ayyub, M., Oracevic, A., Hussain, R., Khan, A. A., & Zhang, Z. (2022). A comprehensive survey on clustering in vehicular networks: Current solutions and future challenges. Ad Hoc Networks, 124, 102729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adhoc.2021.102729
Badole, M. H., & Thakare, A. D. (2024). Cluster-based multicast optimized routing in VANETs using elite knowledge-based genetic algorithm. Knowledge-Based Systems, 294, 111773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knosys.2024.111773
Blessy, M. C., & Brindha, S. (2024). Maximizing VANET performance in cluster head selection using intelligent fuzzy bald eagle optimization. Vehicular Communications, 45, 100660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vehcom.2023.100660
Chawhan, S., Mahale, S., Dholakia, D., Joshi, A., Kulkarni, G., & Kulat, K. D. (2023). Cluster-based QoS enhancement in MANET. In 2023 11th International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology – Signal and Information Processing (ICETET-SIP) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICETET-SIP58143.2023.10151560
Chen, P., & Hengjinda, T. (2021). Enhanced dragonfly algorithm based K-medoid clustering model for VANET. Journal of Information Systems and Machine Learning Applications in Communications (JISMAC), 3(1), 50–59. https://doi.org/10.36548/jismac.2021.1.005
Dutta, A., Samaniego Campoverde, L. M., Tropea, M., & De Rango, F. (2024). A comprehensive review of recent developments in VANET for traffic, safety & remote monitoring applications. Journal of Network and Systems Management, 32(4), Article 73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10922-024-09853-5
Elhoseny, M., El-Hasnony, I. M., & Tarek, Z. (2023). Intelligent energy aware optimization protocol for vehicular adhoc networks. Scientific Reports, 13, 9019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35042-6
Evangeline, S., Kumaravelu, V. B., Murugadass, A., Imoize, A. L., Selvaprabhu, P., & Naskath, J. (2025). BSHR-FA: A blockchain-enabled secure hierarchical routing using firefly algorithm for VANETs. Security and Privacy, 8(3), e70045. https://doi.org/10.1002/spy2.70045
Feng, K., Zheng, T., Thar, K., Gidlund, M., & Guizani, M. (2024). Enhancing V2V communication through adaptive clustering and intelligent routing based on vehicle attributes and behavior. In Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Industrial Informatics (INDIN) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/INDIN58382.2024.10774529
Hosseinzadeh, M., Haider, A., Ali, S., Mohammadi, M., Mehranzadeh, A., Porntaveetus, T., & Lansky, J. (2025). Enhancing DBSCAN clustering with fuzzy system to improve IoT-based WBAN performance. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 28404. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-28404-w
Husnain, S., Anwar, G., Sikander, A., Ali, A., & Lim, S. (2023). A bio-inspired cluster optimization schema for efficient routing in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). Energies, 16(3), 1456. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031456
Kalaivani, S. D. E., & Santhalakshmi, M. (2025). A modified possibilistic fuzzy C means (MPFCM) clustering based intrusion detection framework for VANETs using improved whale optimization with enhanced deep neural networks. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 14(32S). https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/1582
Karne, R. K., & Sreeja, T. K. (2022). A novel approach for dynamic stable clustering in VANET using deep learning (LSTM) model. International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Research, 10(4), 1092–1098. https://doi.org/10.37391/IJEER.100454
Kaur, G., & Kakkar, D. (2023). Fr-Aro: Secure interference aware fuzzy based clustering and hybrid optimization driven data routing in VANETs. Ad Hoc Networks, 151, 103298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adhoc.2023.103298
Kaur, G., Khurana, M., & Kaur, A. (2022, November). Clustering techniques in vehicular adhoc networks-a survey. In 2022 Seventh International Conference on Parallel, Distributed and Grid Computing (PDGC) (pp. 451-456). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/PDGC56933.2022.10053158
Latif, M., Jamil, M., He, J., & Farhan, M. (2023). A novel authentication and communication protocol for urban traffic monitoring in VANETs based on cluster management systems. Systems, 11(7), 322. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11070322
Mukhtaruzzaman, M., & Atiquzzaman, M. (2024). Clustering in vehicular ad hoc network: Algorithms and challenges. Computers & Electrical Engineering, 118, 109372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2024.109372
Muthukrishnan, K., & Kannan, E. (2023). Metaheuristics-based clustering with routing technique for lifetime maximization in vehicular networks. Computers, Materials & Continua, 75(1), 1471–1488. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2023.031962
Naeem, M., Rizwan, S., Alsubai, A., Almadhor, A., Akhtaruzzaman, M., Islam, S., & Rahman, H. (2023). Enhanced clustering based routing protocol in vehicular ad-hoc networks. IET Electrical Systems in Transportation, 13(1), e12069. https://doi.org/10.1049/els2.12069
Naskath, J., & Paramasivan, B. (2018). Location optimisation for road side unit deployment and maximising communication probability in multilane highway. International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 25(3–4), 369–390. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHVS.2018.10016108
Naskath, J., Paramasivan, B., Shunmugapriya, B., & Aldabbas, H. (2020). Dynamic cluster based connectivity approach for vehicular adhoc networks. In S. Smys, R. Bestak, J. K. Mandal, & V. E. Balas (Eds.), Intelligent computing paradigm and cutting-edge technologies (pp. 187–197). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67038-7_18
Sandeep, & Venugopal, P. (2025). A swarm intelligent–based cluster optimization in vehicular ad hoc networks for ITS. International Journal of Communication Systems, 38(4), e70016. https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.70016
Senouci, O., Harous, S., & Aliouat, Z. (2020). Survey on vehicular ad hoc networks clustering algorithms: Overview, taxonomy, challenges, and open research issues. International Journal of Communication Systems, 33(11), e4402. https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.4402
Sharma, M., Kumar, P., & Tomar, R. S. (2023). Weight-based clustering algorithm for military vehicles communication in VANET. SAIEE Africa Research Journal, 114(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.23919/SAIEE.2023.9962790
Shandil, P. (2023). A survey of different VANET routing protocols. EVERGREEN Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences & Green Asia Strategy, 10(2), 976–997. https://doi.org/10.5109/6793653
Singh, C. E., Sharma, S. P., Kumar, M., & Obayyanahatti, B. G. (2024). Trust aware fuzzy clustering based reliable routing in MANET. Measurement: Sensors, 33, 101142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measen.2024.101142
Soleymaninasab, M., Kharati, E., & Taghipour, S. (2025). A Hybrid Approach for Optimal Cluster Head Selection in VANETs with Various Topologies Using Fuzzy Logic, Moth Flame Optimization, and Machine Learning.
Syed Rabiya, M. A., Ramalakshmi, R., & Jahangeer, N. (2023). Regular routine aware routing in opportunistic mobile social networks. Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies, 34(8), e4828. https://doi.org/10.1002/ett.4828
Varshini, R. J. V., Naskath, J., & Paramasivan, B. (2018). High speed realistic mobility model for TN-multi lane highway environment. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4.5), 151–154.
Xiao, X., Liu, X., Zhang, Q., & Chronopoulos, A. T. (2021). Connectivity probability analysis for freeway vehicle scenarios in vehicular networks. Wireless Networks, 27(5), 3477–3487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11276-020-02464-3
Yousif, Y. K., Bermani, A. K., Aldulaimi, M. H., Khalaf, M., Mohammed, R. B., & Almihi, A. J. M. (2025). A fuzzy-based cluster head selection technique for optimizing communication of VANETs. Journal of Soft Computing and Data Mining, 6(1), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.30880/jscdm.2025.06.01.009
Yu, F., Zhou, M., Zhou, Y., Sun, Y., & Liu, Z. (2025). Mobility-aware relay selection and resource allocation for long-platoon communications. In 2025 IEEE 100th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2025-Fall) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/VTC2025-Fall65116.2025.11310663
Zhang, W., Yang, X., Song, Q., & Zhao, L. (2021). V2V routing in VANET based on fuzzy logic and reinforcement learning. International Journal of Computers Communications & Control, 16(1), 4123. https://doi.org/10.15837/ijccc.2021.1.4123
Zhao, H., Cao, S., & Dian, S. (2022). A self-organized method for a hierarchical fuzzy logic system based on a fuzzy autoencoder. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 30(12), 5104–5115. https://doi.org/10.1109/TFUZZ.2022.3165690
Zhao, H., Tang, J., Adebisi, B., Ohtsuki, T., Gui, G., & Zhu, H. (2022). An adaptive vehicle clustering algorithm based on power minimization in vehicular ad-hoc networks. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 71(3), 2939–2948. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2021.3140085




CITEDNESS IN SCOPUS
CITEDNESS IN WOS




