Enhanced blockchain consensus technique for trust model in vehicular Ad-hoc network

Abstract

The Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) provides smart network services across vehicles that are capable of sharing data. However, during an accident there are network security issues encountered, such as in the trustworthiness of vehicle information which is an important aspect of security in VANET. Therefore, the trust model has become an essential element in overcoming this problem. Various trust models at the time of a vehicle accident have been suggested in literatures, including the use of blockchain consensus algorithms. Proof of Event (PoE) consensus has been suggested to improve the trustworthiness of information within VANET, even though, PoE does not guarantee the trustworthiness of accident location data. As such, the aim of this research was to improve the blockchain consensus technique in improving the VANET trust model through the PoE consensus process and Proof of Location (PoL) consensus by generating Proof of Event and Location (PoEL) consensus. The PoEL consensus was used to obtain reliable location data from the vehicle, and to guarantee the authenticity of the event. Experiments were performed to see the level of trust of the information generated by the PoEL consensus. The results showed that the PoEL consensus gave a better level of information trust than the previous consensus. The average value of the information trust level based on the experiments conducted by PoEL consensus was 57.6%, compared to the PoW consensus of 38.2%, and PoE consensus of 49.4%. These increments occurred due to additional parameters to raise the level of trust in the information, namely confirmation of the event and the location of the accident. This study has proven that the use of PoEL consensus in VANET has succeeded in increasing the trust of vehicle information during accidents.