  This paper develops a framework to study multi-hop relaying in a vehicular
network consisting of vehicles and Road Side Units (RSUs), and the effect of
this relaying on the network coverage and the communication delay. We use a
stochastic geometry model that consists of a combination of Poisson Line
Process (PLP) and 1D Poisson Point Process (PPP) to reliably characterize the
vehicular network layout and the locations of the vehicles and the RSUs. Using
this model, we analyze the effect of the different network parameters on the
coverage provided by the RSUs to the vehicles. Then, we investigate how the
uncovered vehicles can receive their intended packets by relaying them through
multiple hops that form connected paths to the RSUs. We also analyze the delay
introduced to packet delivery due to multi-hop relaying. Namely, we present
results that illustrate the coverage gains achieved through multi-hop relaying
and the delays induced. Such results could be used by network planners and
operators to decide on the different configurations and operational parameters
of the vehicular network to suit particular scenarios and objectives.
