Vehicle utilization at ‘Bay of Plenty Electricity’

Despite its often mathematical and abstract nature, queueing theory has provided a number of significant and useful results. In a vehicle-utilization study for Bay of Plenty Electricty (a medium-sized electrical supply authority in New Zealand), the authors used results from queuing theory to implement a car pooling system at the head office. Since they undertook the study in a somewhat adversarial climate, the process assumed great importance. The involvement of all staff throughout the study, from the top executives down, contributed to the (ultimately) successful implementation of a pooling system for vehicles. The number of vehicles at the head office was reduced by 35 percent, contributing significantly to annual savings of NZ $55,000.