Blockchain-based anonymous authentication for traffic reporting in VANETs

Abstract

The application of vehicle ad-hoc networks (VANETs) has brought huge potential to the development of intelligent transportation systems. By traffic event reporting, traffic efficiency can be significantly improved. However, people usually lack the motivation for reporting traffic events or driving violations, because once the identity of the reporter is leaked, he or she may be tracked by malicious attackers or be retaliated by violators. However, if the reporter is anonymous, it is difficult to guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of the reports. In order to solve this contradiction, a mechanism that combines certificateless message authentication and blockchain incentives is proposed in this paper. A certificateless message signature algorithm is designed to provide the anonymity and non-repudiation for traffic-related message reporters. Simultaneously, an adaptive t-threshold multi-signature mechanism is introduced in our scheme. Similar to crowdsourcing, it requires multiple participants to witness the authenticity of the message together. Aggregation signature verification improves message authentication efficiency. A trust currency called TCoin is introduced to motivate reporters' enthusiasm for participation in intelligent transportation. The security analysis and simulation results show that our scheme is secure and effective in the intelligent transportation system.

Keywords:

• VANETs
• intelligent transportation system
• certificateless anonymous authentication
• aggregation verification
• blockchain incentives

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 61872138 and 61602169], Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province under [grant number 2021JJ30278], and the Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department [grant number 18A186].