Wi-Fi-Based Information Flow Topology for Effective Vehicle Platooning: Experimental Analysis and Implementation

Vehicle platooning leverages advanced communication and coordination among vehicles to increase traffic efficiency and safety and reduce environmental impact. This study addresses crucial research gaps in vehicle platooning by focusing on communication media, controller selection, and applicability across diverse vehicle types. The research centers on utilizing Wi-Fi for uni- and bidirectional information flow topology, employing a reconfigurable input/output controller and a customized electric car and two-wheeler, within a software environment. The investigation begins with simulations involving reconfigurable input/output controllers placed at varying distances (5 m, 10 m, and 15 m) to estimate the average latency. This controller was subsequently integrated into the electric car and two-wheeler, evaluating latencies at similar distances. Notably, the average simulation latencies at 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m are 0.2052 s, 0.643 s, and 0.735 s, respectively. The field test averages at the same distances are 0.233 s, 0.673 s, and 0.783 s, indicating remarkable proximity and minimal error between the two datasets and thereby demonstrating practical suitability. The findings suggest that a distance of 10 m between vehicles is better for vehicle platooning applications on the basis of the observed latency patterns. This study contributes valuable insights into implementing Wi-Fi-based information flow topology for enhancing vehicle platooning performance and viability in real-world scenarios.