Cost analysis of the R-unreliable-unloader queueing system

This paper analyzes the unloader queueing model in which N identical trailers are unloaded by R unreliable unloaders. Steady-state analytic solutions are obtained with the assumptions that trip times, unloading times, finishing times, breakdown times, and repair times have exponential distributions. A cost model is developed to determine the optimal values of the number of unloaders and the finishing rate simultaneously, in order to minimize the expected cost per unit time. Numerical results are provided in which several steady-state characteristics of the system are calculated based on assumed numerical values given to the system parameters and the cost elements. Sensitivity analysis is also studied.