2019 IEEE 7th International Conference on Control, Mechatronics and Automation

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Vehicular Networks: Review

Dharmik Donga Santosh Kumar Bharti

Department of Information and Communication Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Technology Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Gandhinagar, India
Gandhinagar, India sbharti1984@gmail.com
dharmikdonga36@gmail.com

Abstract—It was the year 1952 when we saw the first breakthrough in
artificial intelligence when Arthur Samuel developed a checkers
playing computer. Since then, the advancement of artificial intelligence
has been significant. From employing neural networks to play chess to
detecting cancer using artificial intelligence, the advancement is indeed
a quantum leap. The emerging application of artificial intelligence is in
vehicular networks. This review paper discusses the various
challenges in vehicular networks and how artificial intelligence can be
used to overcome these challenges. The paper also outlines how
artificial intelligence can assist vehicular networks to increase
efficiency.

Keywords-artificial intelligence; neural networks; quantum

leap; vehicular network.

I. INTRODUCTION
th
With the 4 generation of cellular wireless standards, Figure 1. VANET Communication System [23].
the system of vehicular networks is taking shape. The
In the meantime, significant research is going on smart
vehicular network enables communication and exchange of
vehicles and autonomous vehicles. Vehicles are equipped
information between vehicles. As vehicles become more
with a wide variety of sensors like temperature sensor,
and more autonomous, the need to exchange data while
proximity sensor, oxygen sensor, rain sensor, light intensity
traversing is emerging to reduce accidents and efficiently
sensor and pressure sensors [3]. These sensors help the
use the roads. Vehicular networks is an important
autonomous vehicle to keep a check on all of its
component of smart city and intelligent transportation
components and study the external environment. The
system (ITS) [1]. There are two major components of
sensors continuously collect data and process it, hence a
vehicular networks, first one is the vehicle which has many
large amount of data is produced which is processed
sensors on board to sense various parameters of the
continuously. The idea is to drive a vehicle by making data-
environment around it and second is the roadside unit
driven decisions [2]. The first step to make data- driven
(RSU), which acts as a medium of communication between
decisions is to process this large amount of data. Time taken
vehicles and the servers or the traffic controller [2].
for processing is an important factor here as decisions have
Vehicular network is also referred as a vehicular ad-hoc
to be taken now and then on roads. Here comes the
network (VANET). VANET will not only provide internet
application of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence
connectivity on roads but will also have a huge impact on
provides an efficient method to analyse sensor data by
the improvement of road safety, decongestion of roads and
identifying hidden patterns [2]. This huge amount of data is
autonomous vehicles [1]. Vehicles are mobile units in
reduced to a small amount of data, which we can say
VANET, these mobile units consists of sensors that are
represents the full sensor data. It is this data which is used
called on-board unit (OBU). OBU collects all data and
to make data- driven decisions in vehicular networks.
stores it. It is this data which flows in the vehicular network,
To explore applications of artificial intelligence in
which is received by surrounding vehicles and the RSU.
vehicular networks, we need to have knowledge of
There are three major links in vehicular networks. The first
characteristics and applications of vehicular networks. This
one is inter- vehicle communication link; second
paper first discusses the characteristics and applications of
communication link is between RSUs and the moving nodes;
vehicular network. This is followed by a brief working of
third link is between RSUs. Figure 1 illustrates the vehicular
basic artificial intelligence. Next section takes up the
network as VANET, it shows the two main components of
challenges in vehicular network and discusses potential
VANET, that are RSUs and moving nodes (Vehicles).
solutions using artificial intelligence.

978-1-7281-3787-2/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE 465

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 II. CHARACTERISTICS OF VANET
Some of the important characteristics of vehicular
networks are highlighted below [4]:
• Rapidly changing network topology due to high
mobility of nodes (vehicles).
• Size of network topology is variable, the network
can cover a district, or it can cover an entire
country. It depends on how the traffic controller
has designed the network to be.
• As nodes (vehicles) have high mobility, so sensor
data also varies continuously. For example a
node may rapidly accelerate or may drift to left;
the position of nodes in such cases changes
rapidly. This ever changing data has to be
processed rapidly for taking data driven decisions.
• Not only network topology but density of nodes
in a network is also variable. A network maybe
overloaded in morning, but maybe completely
free during midnight.
• One of the major cons of network topology is no
power constraint. The nodes have a high
powered battery on board, and the RSUs draw
power from the grid. Hence power is not a
constraint for vehicular networks.
• The network is highly vulnerable to external
attacks. Network security is very important and
challenging in vehicular networks.
• Every decision for a node is time critical. Hence
information and commands has to reach nodes at
earliest possible time so nodes can act
accordingly. This characteristic is very important
before designing the network.
III. APPLICATIONS OF VEHICULAR NETWORK
Intelligent transport system (ITS), has some smart
applications devised for traffic management and to increase
safety on roads. There are three main characters which use
the vehicular networks; namely pedestrians, mobile vehicles
and public transportation. All the three components work in
synchronous to achieve ITS [5]. Smart camera for
surveillance of traffic on roads, incident detection system,
public transportation management system, disaster
management system, road maintenance and emergency
services system are the physical systems deployed to collect
data and process the collected data. All the systems and
users are connected with each other by a system of wide
area wireless communication network, which has a feature
of high speed internet connectivity to minimize delay in
data propagation. Following are some applications of
vehicular network [6]:
• Manage traffic in various lanes on a road. A
system can be devised which is able to alert
vehicles about upcoming traffic on road, hence
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an alternate path would be recommended, in this
way the busy roads will be decongested slowly.
• Traffic rules violators can be identified using
smart camera system, they can be later fined for
the same.
• Intersection collision warning would warn two
vehicles approaching intersection and avoid
accidents.
• Different warnings and updates are flashed to
moving vehicles, for example warning about
slippery roads, alert about school children
crossing and weather updates.
• RSUs continuously collect data from nearby
vehicles; this data is studied by maintenance
department to identify damages to the roads.
• Forward collision warning system. The vehicle
which is going slow is warned about a speeding
vehicle approaching from behind.
• In case of breakdown or accidents, first the
nearest emergency services are alerted, and then
the system starts traffic management by
providing alternate routes to upcoming vehicles.
IV. CONCEPTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial intelligence is the ability of digital computers
tostore knowledge, apply the same knowledge to solve real
time problem and gain knowledge from experience. The
ability of a computer to learn from external environment
and to modify its processing on basis of newly acquired
experience is called machine learning [7]. Machine learning
are algorithms whose performance improves as it trains on
more and more data. Artificial intelligence is based on
neural networks; it can be described as artificial neural
network (ANN). ANN is designed application specific.
Input signal is adjusted according to synaptic weights given
in a neural network. This is followed by summing up all
input signals at a given time and this summation is used as
an input for an activation function. To fix the values of
synaptic weights to be used, the network is made to undergo
training. The network is given some inputs, the output
generated is compared to the required output and according
to the difference between both the values, the synaptic
weights are adjusted. Figure 2 represents a typical ANN
(artificial neural network), it shows how input signal is
assigned weights, which gives the final output later.
Learning plays a very important role in development
of a perfect artificial intelligence model. The process of
learning is of 4 types: Supervised learning, unsupervised
learning, reinforcement learning and deep learning.
A. Supervised Learning
The system is trained on labeled data set under
supervised learning. The input space X is mapped to the
already known output space Y. The final goal is to map
input with respective output and at the same time predict
weights. With every input, the system becomes more and
more accurate if every time an unique data is used for
training. Algorithms are of two types classification or
regression, it depends on the nature of output from the
system. Classification results in distribution of output into
various different classes. While regression does not have a
clear discrete output, instead the predicted output is
continuous in nature. Classification algorithms are widely
used to secure wireless network by detecting external
intrusion in the network [8]. Some classification algorithms
are k nearest neighbours, decision tree and support vector
machines (SVM). Regression algorithms are used in
wireless network to determine channel characteristics and
network throughput. Figure 3 shows the output graph for a
classification algorithm and a regression algorithm.
Figure 2. Basic Artificial Neural Network [24].
Figure 3. Output after using Classification algorithm and Regression
algorithm [25].
B. Unsupervised Learning
Supervised learning trains the system with high
accuracy, and hence the error rate is low. The only
drawback is to find a large labelled data set. Hence alternate
method is to train the system with unlabelled data set, this is
called unsupervised learning. The output of unsupervised
learning can be clusters of similar data points, but the
clusters are still unlabelled and formed strictly on basis of
some similarity between the output data points. In wireless
network, clustering is widely used to make the system more
efficient. The nodes which are nearby to each other are
clustered together because it saves energy if nodes within a
cluster send messages to cluster head, which in turn is used
for inter-cluster transmission [1].
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Unsupervised learning can be used to reduce high
dimensional space into a low dimension space without
losing much information. In wireless networks this is used
to save energy. Cluster heads uses data aggregation before
data transmission, and this saves large amount of energy as
redundant data is not transmitted [9].
C. Reinforcement Learning
Reinforcement learning is learning from experience.
Unlike supervised learning, reinforcement learning does not
a full labeled data set. The reinforcement agent decides
what steps to take to perform a task, and with every step it
gains new experience or knowledge, which is stored in
system and used for future reference [10]. Reinforcement
learning is applied in wireless network for cooperative
communication, rate control, and routing [11]. Figure 4
shows the wireframe for reinforcement learning.
Figure 4. Diagram explaining Reinforcement learning [22].
D. Deep learning
A deeper version of artificial neural networks having
multiple layers of neuron is known as deep learning. The
input undergoes multiple non-linear transformations before
it is converted to the required output [12]. The approach is
to extract the most complex features from the input, and
these complex features are mapped to find an accurate
output. Deep learning is widely used in fields of speech
recognition, natural language processing and computer
vision [1].
V. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONSIN
VEHICULAR NETWORKS
This section of paper integrates the concept of artificial
intelligence and vehicular networks to describe a hybrid
system where data driven decisions are taken using
techniques of artificial intelligence, and the final aim is to
achieve an intelligent transportation system. Following are
some applications of vehicular networks which can be
achieved by using concepts of artificial intelligence:
A. Deep Learning Based Channel Estimation
Nodes in vehicular network use wireless communication
to exchange data with each other. The channel or the
medium of transmission used for exchanging data is
generally air, and this channel has some characteristics
which keep changing with time. For lossless data
transmission, it is necessary to estimate current channel
characteristics [13]. Deep learning (DL) algorithms are
robust to real world systems, hence DL algorithms are
embedded in physical layer to estimate channel
characteristics and provide an efficient transfer of
information. Channel estimation has a time constraint;
hence the computation time should be minimized. Deep
learning based algorithms have low computational
complexities, and execution of the algorithm can be
parallelized with help of low precision data, which makes
the algorithm much more efficient [14]. In DL based system,
the time-frequency grid of the channel response is
presented as a 2D image. This 2D image is called pilot
positions. These pilot position and channel grid is called as
a low resolution (LR) image and estimated channel is
known as high resolution (HR) [15]. LR is enhanced using
image restoration method (IR), after that it is employed
further to remove the noise effect. It is HR image which
helps in channel estimation.
B. Automatic Roadside Unit Deployment
Roadside unit (RSU) deployment is a tricky task as the
RSU density depends on the local traffic density. The
network will experience extremes of traffic density hence
proper strategy of RSU deployment has to be employed.
One of the tested and successfully deployed artificial
intelligence algorithm is the Genetic algorithm [16]. Genetic
algorithms are adaptive heuristic search algorithms. As
interpreted from the name, the framework is based on
genetics and ideas of natural selection [17]. This algorithm
is used to generate highly efficient solution for search and
optimization problems. The system has a training set, and
after training the algorithm, it establishes a relation between
the set of solutions to a problem [16].
The computational time for genetic algorithm is very
high, but longer the computational time, better the output. In
real world, RSU deployment is a complex, and time taking
process. Therefore, the computational time of algorithm will
not be of considerable amount compared to current method.
Tests done in real time showed execution time up to 4 hours
(Core i5 machine used), while indigenous methods would
last several weeks [16]. This intelligent system will provide
almost perfect RSU deployment scheme, which provides
perfect connectivity to all nodes irrespective of their
geographical positions in the network.
C. Network Congestion Control Using AI Algorithms
The density of traffic using the network changes
throughout the day. For example, the network will be very
congested in evening, and at midnight it may be totally
unused. In urban environment, intersections are critical
places for network failure due to large number of nodes
concentrated at the intersection. An intelligent approach is
to use k-means algorithm. K-means is an unsupervised
learning algorithm which is used when unlabeled data is
available. The goal is to find groups in the data and form
clusters of similar data [2]. Nodes continuously transmit
data, this data is first clustered through the use of a k-means
clustering mechanism according to their features like
message size, distance between nodes, validity of messages
and types of message [1]. Each cluster is then provided with
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independent communication parameters, like transmission
rate, window size and arbitration inter frame spacing. Hence
congestion is kept under control and communication
resources are used efficiently.
D. Traffic Flow Management
One of the most critical element of ITS is traffic
management. Real world traffic is managed by semi-
autonomous system which consumes large amount of man
power. Not only the present system is costly, but is also
inefficient. With ITS deployment, waiting time in traffic
would reduce, decongestion of roads and reduction in fuel
consumption will occur. Artificial intelligence tools can be
used to manage traffic. The algorithms are trained on the all
the traffic records to predict future traffic density at various
locations. Some tested models are historical average model,
back propagation neural network model, autoregressive
integrated moving average (ARIMA) model [18]. The
ARIMA model is one of the most powerful and advanced
statistical time-series techniques. The average model is
simple historical data based algorithm. Table 1 compares all
the model’s error in prediction [18].
The neural network model, however, outperformed other
models during peak conditions, demonstrating its ability to
model complex traffic characteristic
TABLE I: ERROR OF PREDICTION MODELS [18]
Model Root Mean Average Absolute
Square Error Error
Historical Average 2730 146
ARIMA 3490 195
Back propagation 2620 144
The neural network outperforms other techniques during
extreme traffic conditions; hence it is perfect for the real
world applications which have many unpredicted and
complex situations. This approach to manage traffic will
increase road safety, decongest roads, and provide traffic
free corridor for emergencies.
E. Deep Learning Based Network Security
In the era of cyber revolution, cyber threats are also
arising. The system is vulnerable to data theft, message
modification, position cheating and GPS information
hacking. The three security goals we aim to achieve by
using artificial intelligence concepts in vehicular networks
are: Confidentiality, integrity, and availability [19]. An
intrusion detection and warning system is proposed based
on deep neural networks, where the unsupervised deep
learning networks are used to initiate parameters as a pre-
processing stage. The deep neural network is trained using
high dimensional data to establish knowledge about normal
and hacked packets [2]. A sparse auto-encoder and soft-max
regression based network intrusion detection system (NIDS)
is proposed [20]. Experiments show that the proposed NIDS
performed very efficiently compared to previously
experimented NIDSs. Further application of stacked auto-
encoder, an extension of sparse auto-encoder in deep
network, for unsupervised knowledge gathering and random
Tree can be implemented to make high precision network
intrusion system [20].
F. Incident Detection
Incident detection is very important in ITS, and as soon
as an incident is detected necessary actions are triggered
like traffic. A classification neural network algorithm is
proposed. The sensor data is continuously observed by the
network, and when some sudden jump is detected in sensor
data, the network alerts traffic controller and nearest
emergency service. Dijkstra’s shortest path first algorithm is
used to find the nearest emergency service station to the
location of incident. As digital revolution is taking place,
social media is a platform which can be exploited to detect
incident. Twitter is a cost effective and highly efficient
technique to detect incidents in real time [21].
VI. FUTURE SCOPE
Artificial intelligence has already undergone extensive
research in field of vehicular networks, but many challenges
still remain unaddressed. Artificial intelligence still has
many applications like autonomous vehicles in vehicular
networks. Some challenges like fault tolerance, image
processing, complexity of algorithms and security threats
still exist. Even though security is an application of machine
learning, but it itself raises tremendous potential challenges
and risk since artificial intelligence based system can
produce harmful and unexpected results.
VII. CONCLUSION
This review paper provides an overview of applying
concept artificial intelligence in vehicular networks. The
initial section of paper discusses the working of VANET
and applications of VANET. Then the paper focused on
artificial intelligence and its working. The final section
establishes how concepts artificial intelligence can be
used in vehicular networks.
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