Priority Queueing - Formulation Previous Next
Applying simulation requires estimating the probability distribution of interarrival times and of service times for each of the two classes of customers.
The pattern of interarrival times is different for merchants and other customers. Because the downtown area is small, most of the merchants walk to the bank and arrive randomly (i.e., an exponential distribution for interarrival times). As described in the first simulation demo, other customers normally park in the bank parking lot and have their parking validated before entering the bank, which leads to a translated exponential distribution for interarrival times.
In comparison to other customers, a merchant's business in the bank tends to be both more extensive and better organized in advance. Therefore, the service time required by a merchant tends to be a little longer, but more predictable in falling within a certain range.