The Poisson Random Process (UMAP)

Author: Carroll O. Wilde

This module applies probability and statistics to operations research. Students will be able to obtain practical information about: 1) random arrival patterns; 2) inter-arrival times, or gaps between arrivals; 3) waiting line buildup; and 4) service loss rates, from the Poisson distribution, the exponential distribution, and Erlang's formulas.

Table of Contents:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THE POISSON DISTRIBUTION

3. INTER-ARRIVAL GAPS

4. ERLANG'S LOSS FORMULA

5. SERVICE ORIENTED SYSTEMS

6. GOODS-ORIENTED SYSTEMS

7. CONCLUSION

8. MODEL EXAM

9. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

10. ANSWERS TO MODEL EXAM

11. APPENDIX A: BASIC PROBABILITY CONCEPTS

12. APPENDIX B: DERIVATION OF ERLANG'S FORMULA