Queues & Resource Management

Queues and resource management models deal with limited capacity and waiting lines. They show how throughput, service rates, and backlog levels interact to determine how smoothly a system delivers its output.

Use these simulations to explore what happens when demand temporarily exceeds available resources or when slow feedback causes overcompensation. The lessons apply from customer service desks to computer networks.

Select an example to explore it in the playground.

Beginner - Introductory Models

Queue Simulation

A queue simulation demonstrating throughput limits and system capacity.

Level:Beginner

queuethroughputbottleneckdiscrete-eventservicecapacity

  • Stocks:backlog[p]
  • Flows:produced, consumed
  • Probes:backlog_total, incoming_per_sec, outgoing_per_sec
Intermediate - Classic Dynamics

Bank Renege Simulation

A bank renege simulation where customers join a queue with limited patience and may leave before service if the wait is too long.

Level:Intermediate

queueservicediscrete-eventtime-delay

  • Stocks:queue
  • Flows:served, reneged
  • Probes:wait_time, served, reneged

Car Service Simulation - SimPy Tutorial

A car service simulation showing priority washing with features like interrupts.

Level:Intermediate

simpypriorityservicemaintenancequeueinterruptsdiscrete-eventreliabilityworkflow

  • Stocks:fuel_level, parts
  • Probes:fuel_level, wash_q, parts

Hospital ER Patient Flow

Queuing theory demo of patient flow through an emergency department.

Level:Intermediate

queuehealthcareresource-managementprioritization

  • Stocks:beds
  • Flows:arrivals, departures
  • Feedback Loops:staffing effects
  • Probes:wait_low, wait_med, wait_high, bed_util, lwbs, served

Matchmaking Queue

Simulates skill-based matchmaking with adjustable buckets, skill delta and max wait.

Level:Intermediate

matchmakingqueuegamefairness

  • Probes:queue_len, avg_wait, avg_delta
Advanced - Complex Simulations

Machines Simulation

A machines simulation depicting resource allocation and reliability.

Level:Advanced

reliabilityresource-managementmaintenancequeuethroughput

  • Stocks:buffer, idle-token store
  • Flows:in_rate, dispatch_rate
  • Probes:in_rate, dispatch_rate, buffer_level, breakdown, repair