FASPM: Fuzzy logic-based adaptive security protocol for multihop data dissemination in intelligent transport systems

Intelligent transport systems (ITSs) utilize secure wireless communications to enable vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity on the road. Single-hop and multihop communications are used to ensure that the vehicles and the infrastructure road side units are notified of current traffic conditions in a timely manner. While security improves network defense against malicious users, it also adds significant computational delay to network transmissions. In particular, for multihop communications, this can result in increased network delays and increased number of retransmissions that cause further network congestions for single-hop safety messages. We present an approach called the fuzzy logic-based adaptive security protocol for multihop (FASPM) traffic to improve the quality of service of ITS applications. FASPM prioritizes the signature verification of ITS messages according to their delay requirements. Moreover, FASPM uses fuzzy adaptation of multihop security levels to reduce network congestion. Simulation results demonstrate that FASPM achieves significant quality-of-service improvements for road safety applications.