Towards Adoption of Blockchain Technology for Enhancing Communication in Smart Transportation

Abstract

Today, IoT (Internet of Things) revolution and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) paradigm are collaboratively making a deep impact on a wide range of industrial areas, especially on transportation and automotive industry. Efficient and value added business models are highly appreciated to revolutionize transportation services and environments over the world; and to establish autonomous transport systems without the need of minimum possible human intervention. On the other hand; currently transportation ecosystem stakeholders are facing some problems including data integrity, non-repudiation, and trust. Data manipulation, missing information, and inconsistencies are examples of serious problems in the context of automated mobility and heterogeneity. This study aims to explore the potential of Blockchain technology in smart transportation. In this context, a communication model is presented for smart transportation ecosystems that provides solutions to problems, and also ensures data integrity, non-repudiation and trust by utilizing Blockchain technology. The proposed smart contract based model allows trustless users to negotiate on immutable and transparent data without the need for a trusted third party which can provide further innovative services. The proposed model is evaluated in aspects of appropriateness of technology, technical features, and adoption and diffusion of technology. Taking all this into account, it is possible to point out that the proposed model, not only have the potential of supporting development of V2X and smart transportation ecosystems, but also is feasible to other various smart environments having high heterogeneity and mobility.