User Association in a Heterogeneous Vehicular Network with Roadside Units and Vehicle Relays

This letter investigates the behavior of users in a vehicular network where there are two types of transmitters-roadside units (RSUs) and vehicle relays. We address the unique network geometry of such a network by adapting the Cox point process, the double slope path loss, and the strongest average power user association. We derive the probability that users are associated with either RSUs or relays. The association formula explicitly quantifies the change of user association behavior when the heterogeneous vehicular network has two types of transmitters distinctive in their transmit powers and densities. Leveraging this letter, one can explore the potential and benefits of heterogeneous vehicular networks with RSUs and vehicle relays.