Optimization of service rate in a discrete-time impatient customer queue using particle swarm optimization

Abstract

This paper investigates a discrete-time balking, reneging queue with Bernoulli-schedule vacation interruption. Particle swarm optimization which is a biologically inspired optimization technique mimicking the behavior of birds flocking or fish schooling is implemented to determine the optimum service rate that minimizes the total expected cost function per unit time. A potential application of the considered queueing problem in an inbound email contact center is also presented.