Recent Advances in Vehicular Communication Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Dear Colleagues,

As we transition toward fully autonomous transportation systems, the limitations of traditional vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), which focus primarily on node-to-node connectivity, are becoming apparent. To achieve Level 4 and 5 autonomies, vehicles require a “hyper-aware” environment where the infrastructure itself is intelligent. This Special Issue will focus on the integration of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) into the vehicular ecosystem. By embedding low-power, high-granularity sensors into roadside units (RSUs) and urban infrastructure, we can create a collaborative sensing environment that transcends the line-of-sight limitations of individual vehicle sensors. We invite original research and review articles on technical and application-oriented topics, including but not limited to the following:

• Infrastructure-to-Vehicle (I2V) Sensing: Deploying WSNs in “smart roads” for real-time traffic monitoring, pavement health sensing, and detection of hazards (e.g., ice, oil spills).
• In-Vehicle Sensor Networks (IVSNs): Wireless intra-vehicle communication for monitoring engine (or motor) health, tire pressure, and structural integrity, replacing heavy wired harnesses.
• Protocol Design: Energy-efficient MAC and routing protocols specifically designed for the high-mobility and intermittent connectivity of vehicular environments.
• Security and Privacy: Lightweight encryption and blockchain-based trust models for securing sensor data in autonomous driving systems.
• Data Fusion and AI: Using machine learning to process extensive streams of heterogeneous data from both mobile (vehicle) and static (roadside) sensors for predictive traffic management.
• Edge/Fog Computing: Architectures that process sensor data at the network edge to meet the ultra-low latency requirements of safety-critical vehicular applications.
• Next-Generation Connectivity: The role of 6G and terahertz bands, as well as low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications, in handling high-density sensor data, intent-based vehicular communications, and network management.
• Satellite–Terrestrial Integration: Hybrid architectures where LEO satellites provide backhaul for remote roadside sensor clusters and fill terrestrial “blackspots”.
• Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Protocols: Adaptation of WSN MAC and routing layers for high-latency, high-mobility satellite-to-vehicle (S2V) links.
• Satellite-Assisted Edge Computing: Offloading computation-intensive sensing tasks (such as high-resolution LiDAR processing) from vehicles to LEO-based edge servers.
• Seamless Handover Management: Algorithms for maintaining data continuity as vehicles transition between terrestrial RSUs and moving LEO satellite beams.
• Integrated Communication, Navigation, and Sensing (ICNR): Leveraging LEO signals for high-precision positioning to supplement GNSS in “urban canyons” or remote tunnels.

This Special Issue will supplement existing research by addressing several “blind spots”. For example, much of the existing V2X literature focuses on communication (how to send data); this issue will shift the focus to sensing (how to generate and validate high-quality data from the physical environment). Additionally, standard VANET research often assumes the existence of high-power nodes. This Special Issue will explore how to integrate resource-constrained WSN nodes (with limited battery and computational power) into robust 5G/6G vehicular architectures. In addition, while many studies focus on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) autonomous logic, this Special Issue will highlight the “smart road” perspective, arguing that infrastructure-based sensing is a necessary redundancy for the safety of autonomous vehicles. Moreover, this issue will provide a platform for the burgeoning field of wireless harness replacement, a niche that is often overlooked in broader IoT or automotive electronics journals. By consolidating these themes, the Special Issue will serve as a specialized reference for researchers looking to transition from theoretical communication models to integrated, sensor-driven intelligent transportation systems (ITSs).

Dr. Yiwen Shen
Dr. Bien Aime Mugabarigira
Guest Editors

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