VGSim: An Integrated Networking and Microscopic Vehicular Mobility Simulation Platform

Simulation is the predominant tool used in research related to vehicular ad hoc networks. In this article we first present the key requirements for accurate simulations that arise from the various applications supported by VANETs, and review the current state-of the-art VANET simulation tools. We then present VGSim, an integrated networking and microscopic vehicular mobility simulation platform. VGSim provides full-fledged wireless network simulation with an accurate traffic mobility model. These two components are tightly integrated and can interact dynamically. We discuss the flexibility of VGSim in adopting different mobility models and also present simulation results that empirically validate the modified mobility model we implemented. We discuss how VANET applications can be easily modeled in VGSim, and demonstrate this using two important applications, Accident Alert and Variable Speed Limit.