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Re: [Phys-l] Is the Poisson distribution appropriate to describe the bunched arrival of shoppers at the pay point?



On 12/30/2010 9:36 AM, Bernard Cleyet wrote:
Is the Poisson distribution appropriate to describe the
bunched arrival of shoppers at the pay point?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Ri_HhziI0
YouTube - Why the other line is likely to move faster

bc
I guess you expect the distribution to be skew, there being no outliers
faster than those immediate serviced, representing zero wait.
Still, can you think of ANY distribution of arrival times and service delays
that reduces the average delay of the single line, multiple server approach?
Allocating resources on this basis provides a rational approach to efficiency,
if not satisfaction, I think. It's been adopted at government offices
and airline ticket desks I notice.

Brian W