Incoprea Theory
Vol. XXIV · 219

Theory 195/Traffic jams/Ratio lens

Delay Diverges Near Capacity

The claim

Delay is set by the ratio of demand to capacity and diverges as the ratio approaches one.

01Mechanism

Queues grow when arrivals exceed discharge; the ratio determines the equilibrium delay.

02Prediction

Delay should diverge near a ratio of one.

03Refutation

Delay tracking volume would remove capacity.