Page 104 - DCAP601_SIMULATION_AND_MODELING

Simulation and Modelling

Notes
Figure 7.2: Single-channel Queuing System

Example: POSB is a banking service entity that uses the single queue system. Customers
join one queue and when they reach the front they will go to a server that is idle. The main
characteristic of a single-channel queue is the first-come- first-serve feature.
7.1.2 Multiple-channels Queuing System

The multiple-channels queuing system is commonly observed in fast food restaurants like KFC,
Burger King, McDonalds, etc. It is a system whereby the customers line up in rows directly in
front of each server. They are arranged in relatively straight lines that do not converge. Generally,
the customers in a multiple-channels queue feel happier because the queue length is shortened
as they are distributed to different counters.
Figure 7.3: Multiple-channels Queuing System

Example: McDonalds is a chain of fast food restaurants that uses the multiple-channels
queue. The restaurants are centrally located in areas where many people pass through daily like
in Town Centres and around Orchard Road. In this type of queuing system the customers can
feel a sense of “speed” when they see less people standing in front of them as compared to that
in POSB.

Materials and Methods

This unit evaluates the performance of single-channel and multiple-channels queuing systems,
specifically that of fast food restaurants like McDonalds and banks like POSB. To do this, we first
went to both McDonalds and POSB to collect the statistical data. We spent a week recording
inter-arrival times and service times at different locations and times.

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