Vehicular Cloud Computing: A cost-effective alternative to Edge Computing in 5G networks

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Main Authors: Patanè, Rosario, Achir, Nadjib, Araldo, Andrea, Boukhatem, Lila
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Patanè, Rosario
Achir, Nadjib
Araldo, Andrea
Boukhatem, Lila
author_facet Patanè, Rosario
Achir, Nadjib
Araldo, Andrea
Boukhatem, Lila
contents Edge Computing (EC) is a computational paradigm that involves deploying resources such as CPUs and GPUs near end-users, enabling low-latency applications like augmented reality and real-time gaming. However, deploying and maintaining a vast network of EC nodes is costly, which can explain its limited deployment today. A new paradigm called Vehicular Cloud Computing (VCC) has emerged and inspired interest among researchers and industry. VCC opportunistically utilizes existing and idle vehicular computational resources for external task offloading. This work is the first to systematically address the following question: Can VCC replace EC for low-latency applications? Answering this question is highly relevant for Network Operators (NOs), as VCC could eliminate costs associated with EC given that it requires no infrastructural investment. Despite its potential, no systematic study has yet explored the conditions under which VCC can effectively support low-latency applications without relying on EC. This work aims to fill that gap. Extensive simulations allow for assessing the crucial scenario factors that determine when this EC-to-VCC substitution is feasible. Considered factors are load, vehicles mobility and density, and availability. Potential for substitution is assessed based on multiple criteria, such as latency, task completion success, and cost. Vehicle mobility is simulated in SUMO, and communication in NS3 5G-LENA. The findings show that VCC can effectively replace EC for low-latency applications, except in extreme cases when the EC is still required (latency < 16 ms).
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_15670
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Vehicular Cloud Computing: A cost-effective alternative to Edge Computing in 5G networks
Patanè, Rosario
Achir, Nadjib
Araldo, Andrea
Boukhatem, Lila
Networking and Internet Architecture
Edge Computing (EC) is a computational paradigm that involves deploying resources such as CPUs and GPUs near end-users, enabling low-latency applications like augmented reality and real-time gaming. However, deploying and maintaining a vast network of EC nodes is costly, which can explain its limited deployment today. A new paradigm called Vehicular Cloud Computing (VCC) has emerged and inspired interest among researchers and industry. VCC opportunistically utilizes existing and idle vehicular computational resources for external task offloading. This work is the first to systematically address the following question: Can VCC replace EC for low-latency applications? Answering this question is highly relevant for Network Operators (NOs), as VCC could eliminate costs associated with EC given that it requires no infrastructural investment. Despite its potential, no systematic study has yet explored the conditions under which VCC can effectively support low-latency applications without relying on EC. This work aims to fill that gap. Extensive simulations allow for assessing the crucial scenario factors that determine when this EC-to-VCC substitution is feasible. Considered factors are load, vehicles mobility and density, and availability. Potential for substitution is assessed based on multiple criteria, such as latency, task completion success, and cost. Vehicle mobility is simulated in SUMO, and communication in NS3 5G-LENA. The findings show that VCC can effectively replace EC for low-latency applications, except in extreme cases when the EC is still required (latency < 16 ms).
title Vehicular Cloud Computing: A cost-effective alternative to Edge Computing in 5G networks
topic Networking and Internet Architecture
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.15670