Queuing Models for Multiple Chamber Locks

Several models for predicting mean waiting times of river traffic at a multiple chamber lock were developed and tested. Mean waiting times predicted by the M/G/1 model differed significantly from observed times. Analysis of possible causes of failure of this model suggested a limited queue length M/G/1 model for one chamber, from which more accurate predictions were derived. For the two chamber system, an M/G/1 model with random batch size was developed. This model yields a lower bound for mean waiting time. These last two models can be used to predict system performance under various operating conditions.