DailyDirt: Waiting In Line Isn't Fun

from the urls-we-dig-up dept

Queuing theory is a subset of applied math that looks into the behavior of waiting in line and algorithms that optimize various aspects of this particular kind of resource allocation. Retailers of all kinds are interested in this kind of math because it can improve customer satisfaction and get more products out the door. Apple reduces long cashier lines with employees who can accept payments anywhere in its stores. Fry's Electronics has the giant single line that feeds into a massive array of cashiers (aka the serpentine line). There are self-checkout lanes at the grocery store, but there's no silver bullet to eliminate waiting in lines. Here are just a few more links on this problem of civilization.

• Ever pick a checkout line at the grocery store and think "I always pick the slowest lane" once you've committed to a particular cashier? The math says that the odds of picking the fastest lane are against you, so you're most likely right that you never pick the fastest line. [url]
• Waiting in line at Disney can be cut short with its Fastpass system, but what does Fastpass really optimize? FYI, Disney doesn't let you hire disabled kids to cut in line anymore. [url]
• The best system for boarding planes is not the one that most airlines use, but Southwest's boarding method does pretty well. A few studies have looked at how to board planes more efficiently, but the Jason Steffen method isn't used by any airline (and there's little incentive for most airlines to change what they're currently doing). [url]

If you'd like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post via StumbleUpon.

Filed Under: algorithms, boarding, cashiers, fastpass, jason steffen, math, optimization, planes, queuing theory, serpentine line, waiting
Companies: disney, southwest