Queueing theory

Mathematical study of waiting lines, or queues / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Queueing theory is the mathematical study of waiting lines, or queues.[1] A queueing model is constructed so that queue lengths and waiting time can be predicted.[1] Queueing theory is generally considered a branch of operations research because the results are often used when making business decisions about the resources needed to provide a service.

Queue networks are systems in which single queues are connected by a routing network. In this image, servers are represented by circles, queues by a series of rectangles and the routing network by arrows. In the study of queue networks one typically tries to obtain the equilibrium distribution of the network, although in many applications the study of the transient state is fundamental.

Queueing theory has its origins in research by Agner Krarup Erlang, who created models to describe the system of incoming calls at the Copenhagen Telephone Exchange Company.[1] These ideas have since seen applications in telecommunication, traffic engineering, computing,[2] project management, and particularly industrial engineering, where they are applied in the design of factories, shops, offices, and hospitals.[3][4]