Irina Tal

User-oriented cluster-based solution for multimedia content delivery over VANETs

Vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET)-based multimedia applications are considered to play a very important role in the future of intelligent transportation systems and vehicular infotainment systems. Socio-economic issues are identified among the main challenges in VANET-based multimedia applications. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes a novel user-oriented cluster-based multimedia delivery solution over VANETs that is able to address vehicle passenger preferences and deliver multimedia content of their interest. Such a solution will support various value added services in the vehicles, e.g. touristic video guide, news, entertainment, etc. In this paper the architecture of the proposed solution is presented together with the cluster-based mechanism employed for multimedia transmissions and the cluster head selection algorithm required for delivery infrastructure management. Simulation-based testing demonstrate how this solution increases system stability resulting in a longer life of the elected cluster head compared to the classic Lowest-ID cluster head algorithm, fact that positively influences the quality of the multimedia transmission.

User-Oriented Fuzzy Logic-Based Clustering Scheme for Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) are considered to have an enormous potential in enhancing road traffic safety and traffic efficiency. Socio-economic challenges, network scalability and stability are identified among the main challenges in VANETs. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes a novel user-oriented Fuzzy Logic-based k-hop distributed clustering scheme for VANETs that takes into consideration the vehicle passenger preferences. The novelty element introduced is the employment of Fuzzy Logic as a prominent player in the clustering scheme. To the best knowledge of the authors, there are no Fuzzy Logic-based clustering algorithms designed for VANETs. Simulation-based testing demonstrate how the proposed solution increases the stability of vehicular networks, lifetime and stability of cluster heads compared to both the classic Lowest ID algorithm and an utility function-based clustering scheme previously proposed by the same authors.

eWARPE - Energy-efficient weather-aware route planner for electric bicycles

Cycling, as a very attractive green form of transportation, is also one of the most sustainable. Electric bicycles, the most popular electric vehicles, subscribe to this type of transportation, being highly environmentally friendly. They have several advantages when compared to traditional bicycles, but also a weak point in terms of long battery (re)charging duration. Consequently power-saving solutions for electric bicycles are of high research interest. In this context, this paper proposes a novel energy-efficient weather-aware route planner (eWARPE) for electric bicycles. The solution makes use of the weather information in order to recommend the optimal departure time that allows the cyclist to avoid the adverse weather conditions and to maximize the energy savings of the electric bicycle. Note that the departure time is in a user-configurable time interval. The departure time can be recommended for a preferred route introduced by the user or for a route built in eWARPE based on user input. The proposed solution was validated through numerical analysis. Moreover, a survey was conducted in order to assess the impact of the adverse weather conditions on cyclists and to measure how the cyclists will benefit from the proposed solution.

Vehicular-Communications-Based Speed Advisory System for Electric Bicycles

Smart transportation, which is an important dimension of smart cities, includes both intelligent and “green” transportation solutions. Cycling, as one of the most sustainable forms of transportation, is and should be an important component of smart cities. Electric bicycles, which are the most popular electric vehicles, subscribe to this type of transportation. They have several advantages when compared with traditional bicycles but have issues that relate to battery-limited capacity and long periods of charging as well. Consequently, energy-efficient solutions for electric bicycles are of very high research interest. Research on vehicular-communications-based energy-efficient solutions for electric vehicles is still in the early stages. Among electric vehicles, electric bicycles distinguish themselves as a special class as they have different characteristics and road-related requirements. This paper proposes a novel vehicular-communications-based speed advisory system for electric bicycles. The solution recommends strategic riding (i.e., the appropriate speed) when bicycles are approaching a signaled intersection to avoid high-power-consumption scenarios. The proposed approach includes a fuzzy-logic-based wind-aware speed adaptation policy, as, among all the other vehicles, bicycles are mostly affected by wind. Experimental results based on a real testbed and extensive simulation-based testing demonstrate that, by using the proposed solution, significant energy savings are recorded. In addition, an analysis on comfort-related metrics shows that the proposed solution can also contribute to improving the cycling experience.

Short paper: On the potential of V2X communications in helping electric bicycles saving energy

Smart transportation, an important dimension of smart cities, includes not only intelligent transportation solutions, but also “green” transportation solutions. Cycling, as one of the most sustainable form of transportation, occupies an important place in the context of smart cities. Electric bicycles, the most popular electric vehicles, subscribe to this type of transportation. They have several advantages when compared to traditional bicycles, but also issues that relate to battery limited capacity and long periods of charging. Consequently energy-efficient solutions for electric bicycles are of very high research interest. Energy-efficient solutions based on V2X communications that are dedicated to electric vehicles are still in early research stages. So far, very few works have been proposed and their performance evaluation has been done analytically only. Among electric vehicles, electric bicycles distinguish themselves as a special class as they have different characteristics and road-related requirements. This paper presents our study of the potential of V2X communications to be used by electric bicycles for energy saving. For this purpose, a test-bed was built in order to facilitate a more realistic study compared to the analytical studies conducted so far. The results obtained show that the employment of V2X communications in the context of electric bicycles can lead to significant energy savings.

V2X communication-based power saving strategy for electric bicycles

Cycling is considered to be one of the most sustainable and green forms of transportation. Electric bicycles, the most popular electric vehicles, subscribe to this type of transportation, being very environmentally friendly. They have several advantages when compared to traditional bicycles, but also a weak point in terms of long battery (re)charging duration. Consequently power-saving solutions for electric bicycles are of high research interest. This paper proposes a novel V2X communication-based power-saving strategy for electric bicycles. To the best knowledge of the authors, so far, there is no work in the literature that makes use of V2X communications in the context of electric bicycles. The proposed solution involves recommendations for strategic riding when bicycles approach intersections to avoid high power consumption scenarios (e.g. stop and start due to red traffic light signal). Testing demonstrates how the proposed solution brings significant savings in terms of power consumption in comparison with a classic approach.

Using Fuzzy Logic for Data Aggregation in Vehicular Networks

Information provided in real-time via Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks is of great value in any kind of traffic systems. Bandwidth issues arise in this type of networks due to the potential large number of nodes. Data aggregation addresses these issues avoiding the dissemination of similar messages in the network. The lack of flexibility in the similarity criteria, security issues and the need of standardization were mentioned among the challenges of data aggregation schemes. Fuzzy Logic, very efficient in real-time systems, has been lately employed in data aggregation schemes. This paper analyzes various solutions for using Fuzzy Logic in data aggregation schemes and their mode of addressing the underlined challenges. The analysis conducted concludes that making use of Fuzzy Logic in data aggregation schemes is suitable to solving some of their issues and has great benefits in the development process of traffic systems that relies on these schemes.

Can Multisensorial Media Improve Learner Experience

In recent years, the emerging immersive technologies (e.g. Virtual/Augmented Reality, multisensorial media) bring brand-new multi-dimensional effects such as 3D vision, immersion, vibration, smell, airflow, etc. to gaming, video entertainment and other aspects of human life. This paper reports results from an European Horizon 2020 research project on the impact of multisensoral media (mulsemedia) on educational learner experience. A mulsemedia-enhanced test-bed was developed to perform delivery of video content enhanced with haptic, olfaction and airflow effects. The results of the quality rating and questionnaires show significant improvements in terms of mulsemedia-enhanced teaching.

Quality of experience assessment of 3D video synchronised with multisensorial media components

While traditional multimedia has primarily focused on vision and hearing, a new form of rich media known as “multiple sensorial media” (mulsemedia) is actively growing and developing. Mulsemedia represents a revolutionary type of media which integrates additional components capable to target other senses (e.g. touch, olfactory, gustatory) alongside multimedia content. In the context of classic multimedia applications, user quality of experience (QoE) has been extensively studied. Some QoE related research has also been performed in case of 2D video based mulsemedia content, demonstrating the fact that mulsemedia increases user QoE as compared to classic multimedia. However, there is a need for further studies on the user QoE when experiencing mulsemedia. This paper performs an extensive subjective study in order to investigate for the first time in the literature user QoE when subject to 3D video based mulsemedia. The results obtained from tests run for the 3D video based mulsemedia are discussed and analyzed in comparison with the results obtained for the same tests performed with 2D video. The results show how user QoE associated to the 3D video based mulsemedia is higher than the user QoE associated to the 2D video based experience.

Quality and standardization in technology-enhanced learning

Education and technological advances have enabled digital learning technologies to become a key pillar holding up one of the main United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality Education. Technology-enhanced learning strategies have led to innovative ICT applications for the development of new improved learning and teaching practices aiding to guarantee inclusive and equitable quality education and promote opportunities for all. Nonetheless, there is still a big challenge to get hold of all the capabilities of these technology-enhanced learning strategies: improving the learner quality of experience (QoE). This paper presents an innovative technology-enhanced learning initiative that aims to attract students to STEM education and improve access for students with disabilities through the analysis of the learner QoE. Moreover, in this paper some of the required standards and specifications to be used for developing this initiative are identified. Another key contribution of the paper is that it explores the necessity of new related standards and introduces some novel proposals for standardization in this area.