Using mobile ad hoc networks in an automotive environment (VANET) opens a new set of applications, such as the distribution of information about local traffic or road conditions. This can increase traffic safety and improve mobility. One of the main challenges is to forward event related messages in such a way that the information can be trusted by receiving nodes. Authentication doesn?t solve the problem as it doesn?t target the quality of messages. One promising solution might be given by reputation systems. But conventional centralized trust establishment approaches are not suited well for use within distributed networks such as those envisioned for automotive scenarios. Therefore, we present VARS, a completely distributed approach based on reputation.

Our work is based on the following assumptions:

In this paper, we will introduce major architecture concepts that enable VARS to operate efficiently in the given environment, present the most relevant algorithms and provide some simulation results.