Routing Protocols in VANET- A Survey

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is an integrated approach being developed to exchange relevant information to increase the safety and efficiency of the road transportation systems. Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET), a variant of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), is a core component of ITS. Performance of this smart ITS mainly owes to the design of efficient routing protocols in VANETs. Distinct features of VANETs like unsteady connectivity, high mobility and partitioning of the network have made routing of the information in VANETs difficult and challenging, hence dictating the development of efficient routing protocols. The computation of the best route measures the performance of communication whereas routing protocols takes care of communication & routing of the data. Provision of smart communication, necessitates the analysis of routing protocols in VANET. Accordingly in this paper we have reviewed various types of existing routing protocols in VANET, listing their advantages and disadvantages. Lastly possible inclinations of forthcoming research linked to VANET routing are discussed.