Abstract
For tandem queues with no buffer spaces and both dedicated and flexible servers, we study how flexible servers should be assigned to maximize the throughput. We focus on systems in which flexible servers are constrained to serve at specific stations. With three stations and one or two constrained flexible servers, we completely characterize the optimal policies and compare throughput improvement with systems in which flexible servers are not constrained. Using numerical experiments, we discuss the impact of constrained flexibility on performance and dimensioning of systems.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bekker, R., Koole, G., Roubos, D.: Flexible bed allocations for hospital wards. Health Care Manag. Sci. 20, 453–466 (2017)
de Bruin, A., Bekker, R., Zanten, L., Koole, G.: Dimensioning clinical wards using the Erlang loss model. Ann. Oper. Res. 178, 23–43 (2010)
Green, L.: Capacity planning and management in hospitals. In: Brandeau, M., Sainfort, F., Pierskella, W. (eds.) Operations Research and Health Care. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, pp. 15–41. Springer, Boston (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-8066-2_2
Hall, R.: Bed assignment and bed management. In: Hall, R. (ed.) Handbook of Healthcare System Scheduling. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, pp. 177–200. Springer, Boston (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1734-7_8
Hu, S., Ko, J., Weyand, L., ElMaraghy, H., Lien, T., Koren, Y., Bley, H., Chryssolouris, G., Nasr, N., Shpitalni, M.: Assembly system design and operations for product variety. CIRP Ann. Manuf. Technol. 60, 715–733 (2011)
Lippman, S.A.: Applying a new device in the optimization of exponential queuing systems. Oper. Res. 23(4), 687–710 (1975)
van Vuuren, M.: Performance analysis of tandem queues with small buffers. IIE Trans. 41(11), 882–892 (2009)
Yarmand, M.H., Down, D.G.: Server allocation for zero buffer tandem queues. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 230(3), 596–603 (2013)
Yarmand, M.H., Down, D.G.: Maximizing throughput in zero-buffer tandem lines with dedicated and flexible servers. IIE Trans. 47(1), 35–49 (2015)
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Discovery Grant program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this paper
Cite this paper
Yarmand, M.H., Down, D.G. (2018). Maximizing Throughput in Zero-Buffer Tandem Lines with Constrained Flexible Servers. In: Takahashi, Y., Phung-Duc, T., Wittevrongel, S., Yue, W. (eds) Queueing Theory and Network Applications. QTNA 2018. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10932. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93736-6_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93736-6_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93735-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93736-6
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)