What are the limitations of queue theory in real-world applications?

What are the limitations of queue theory in real-world applications?

Queue theory is a mathematical study of waiting lines, but it has limitations in real-world scenarios. For instance, it often assumes that arrival and service times are exponentially distributed, which may not hold true in practice.

Can you give me an example of where queue theory fails?

Sure! One example is in healthcare. Patients may arrive in bursts rather than at a steady rate, and their service times can vary significantly based on their conditions, which queue theory doesn't always account for.

What about in telecommunications?

In telecommunications, queue theory may not accurately model network traffic, especially during peak usage times when data packets can arrive in large bursts, leading to congestion that the theory doesn't predict.

Are there any alternatives to queue theory?

Yes, alternatives include simulation models and machine learning approaches that can better handle variability and complex interactions in systems.