Vehicular networking: from fundamental properties to network solutions

Vehicular communications are regarded as a key technology within upcoming Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which are expected to improve road safety and traffic management, as well as to enhance the comfort of on-board drivers and passengers. In this manuscript, we will first discuss the need for realistic representations of road traffic dynamics in studies concerning vehicular communications, and show their impact on dedicated (infrastructure-based and spontaneous) network solutions. Then, we will outline the performance bounds of data transfers from and to communication-enabled vehicles, and propose practical protocols that can approximate them. Finally, we will conclude by hinting at possible future research directions