A discrete event simulation model for evaluating the performances of an m/g/c/c state dependent queuing system

PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e58402. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058402. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

M/G/C/C state dependent queuing networks consider service rates as a function of the number of residing entities (e.g., pedestrians, vehicles, and products). However, modeling such dynamic rates is not supported in modern Discrete Simulation System (DES) software. We designed an approach to cater this limitation and used it to construct the M/G/C/C state-dependent queuing model in Arena software. Using the model, we have evaluated and analyzed the impacts of various arrival rates to the throughput, the blocking probability, the expected service time and the expected number of entities in a complex network topology. Results indicated that there is a range of arrival rates for each network where the simulation results fluctuate drastically across replications and this causes the simulation results and analytical results exhibit discrepancies. Detail results that show how tally the simulation results and the analytical results in both abstract and graphical forms and some scientific justifications for these have been documented and discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Efficiency, Organizational / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Markov Chains
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Software*

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Research University (RU) Grant Scheme, [account number 1001/PJJAUH/811097], Universiti Sains Malaysia. L. A. Kawsar wishes to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia for the financial support (USM Fellowship). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.