Overheads of a common queue.

There are overheads in the operation of a common queue, which increase the effective time it takes to serve each customer.

  • The customer at head of the queue will  take time to realise that a server has become free.

  • Walking from the queue to the server takes time.

Hesitation and walk time can easily add 5% or more to the time taken to serve each customer. The chart now shows a dashed line for the waiting time for a common queue where the average service time is increased by 5%. 

For very busy facilities grouped queues may provide quicker service than a common queue.
Hesitation  time.
Walk time/speed
Call-forward systems