When a network is formed among vehicles with the use of inter-vehicle
communication units, a network-forming-request-source vehicle sends its
position serving as a reference position, its moving direction, and
requested information to surrounding vehicles by the use of a free ID.
Among the surrounding vehicles, vehicles which are to subscribe to the
network receive the position, the moving direction, and the requested
information, determine where the vehicles are positioned among positions
specified in advance relative to the reference position, and respond at a
timing corresponding to their positions by the use of free IDs. The
network-forming-request-source vehicle receives the responses, stops
receiving responses when the number of responded vehicles reaches an
appropriate number of vehicles, and sends its genuine ID and a vehicle
communication order. Then, a restriction, such as a restriction based on
the number of times relay processes are allowed, a restriction based on a
predetermined-distance area from the center of balance or the center, or
a restriction based on a communication period equal to a predetermined
time or shorter from when the network is formed, all of which correspond
to the type of network, is applied to form an appropriate-area network.