Integrating Cognitive Intelligence and VANET for Effective Traffic Congestion Detection in Smart Urban Mobility

The delay in transporting essential goods is primarily attributed to widespread traffic congestion globally. This issue not only results in significant time and fuel wastage but also poses a considerable challenge in efficiently disseminating traffic information and managing road conditions for authorities. Addressing these challenges, vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have emerged as a crucial component of the cognitive intelligent transportation system (C-ITS). To tackle this issue effectively, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation and optimizing route management within transportation networks. This paper proposes an innovative congestion detection system that integrates the fuzzy k-means (FKM) clustering technique with the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Utilizing the simulation of urban mobility (SUMO) simulator, a detailed transport network is modeled where vehicle parameters indicative of congestion are collected, integrated using sensor fusion, and analyzed. These parameters are processed using FKM clustering and a mathematical mean algorithm to identify key congestion indicators. Subsequently, FAHP prioritizes these collected parameters, pinpointing congestion hotspots within specific routes. By incorporating cognitive intelligence, the system continuously refines congestion detection and response strategies, enhancing traffic flow efficiency and enabling proactive congestion avoidance. This approach promises a more effective congestion detection methodology with minimal installation costs. Moreover, it can be effortlessly integrated into vehicles to facilitate congestion avoidance strategies, thereby enhancing overall traffic flow efficiency and mitigating the negative impacts of traffic congestion on transportation networks globally.