Cost analysis of the unloader queueing system with a single unloader subject to breakdowns

• Published in: The Journal of the Operational Research Society Vol. 54; no. 5; pp. 515 - 520
• Main Authors: Wang, K-H, Chiang, Y-C, Ke, J-C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 01.05.2003; Palgrave Macmillan Press; Palgrave Macmillan UK; Palgrave; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Business and Management; Coal; cost; Cost analysis; Cost functions; Exact sciences and technology; Management; Minimization of cost; Modeling; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Operations research; Operations Research/Decision Theory; Performance metrics; Probability; queue; Queuing; Queuing theory. Traffic theory; Sensitivity analysis; Steady states; Studies; Theoretical Paper; Theoretical Papers; Trailers; Transportation; Unit costs; unloader breakdowns; unloader breakdowns; queue; cost
• ISSN: 0160-5682; 1476-9360
• DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601538

In this paper, we deal with an unloader queueing model in which N identical trailers are unloaded by a single unloader. We consider two different types of a single unloader, which are subject to breakdowns. In type 1, the unloader can break down only when there is at least one trailer in the system, while in type 2, the unloader can break down even if no trailers are in the system. Analytic closed-form solutions of the unloader queueing system are derived. A cost model is developed in order to determine the optimal value of the number of trailers to be assigned to the unloader for both types. Under the optimal operating condition, numerical results are presented in which several system performance measures are evaluated based on assumed numerical values given to the system parameters. Sensitivity analysis is also investigated.