Enhancing Trace Representation Using Public Transportation Data

Simulation is the most commonly used method for evaluating protocols and algorithms within vehicular networks (VANETs). Typically, simulation tools employ mobility traces to reconstruct the network topology, which relies on existing interactions among mobile nodes. However, the quality of these traces, particularly their spatial and temporal resolution, plays a critical role in accurately shaping the network topology. Consequently, the validity of simulation outcomes heavily depends on the mobility model’s ability to mirror the real network topology accurately. We demonstrate that actual bus mobility traces exhibit gaps, which lead to outcomes that fail to represent reality accurately. In this study, we introduce a method to address these gaps, resulting in enhanced characteristics that contribute to more trustworthy simulation outcomes. Moreover, we present evaluation results comparing the communication metrics of both the original and adjusted traces. These findings indicate that the gaps create network topologies that deviate from the actual scenario, diminishing the credibility of the evaluation results. Although mobility data for vehicular networks is beneficial, it necessitates a process of quality enhancement.