EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO REDUCE GASOLINE QUEUES AT SERVICE STATIONS: A SIMULATION APPROACH

An analytical simulation model is developed in this study to evaluate gas-line management measures during interruptions in fuel supply. In the model households, vehicles, and service stations are assigned certain attributes to be compatible with their reql-world counterparts. Travel activities by vehicle are stratified by trip purpose and simulated on a day-by-day basis. The next-event method is employed to simulate vehicle refilling activities, which takes a microdynamic view of the queueing system at service stations. A sensitivity analysis is conducted for two types of panic behavior during an every crisis--topping off the tank and arriving early at the gas station. The results show that early arrivals lengthen the waiting time. To prevent this panic behavior, a so-called scattered-refill schedule is proposed. Three management measures are evaluated by the model to determine their effectiveness in reducing wait time per gallon of purchase under a hypothetical 20 percent supply interruption: the odd-even plan, maximum-minimum purchase requirements, and the proposed scattered-refill schedule. The results show that the maximum-minimum plan is an adequate one to prevent tank toppers and the scattered-refill schedule is an effective one to prevent early arrivals. The odd-even plan, although easier to put into effect, is not an effective gas-line management measure.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/935/935-003.pdf
• Summary URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Energy Conservation and Transportation Demand.Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
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  Transportation Research Board

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• Authors:
  • Hobeika, A G
  • Young, S H
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 12-19
• Monograph Title: ANALYSIS OF ISSUES IN ENERGY PLANNING AND ENERGY MODELING
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 935
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy resources; Evaluation; Management; Queuing; Service stations; Simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386798
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 030903650X
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM