Application of Queuing Theory in Traffic Flow and Congestion Management: A Nepalese Context

Abstract

Traffic congestion in Nepal’s urban centers, particularly Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur, has reached critical levels due to rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and a 12% annual growth in vehicle registrations Department of Transport Management. Queuing theory, a mathematical framework for analyzing waiting lines, offers cost-effective solutions to optimize traffic systems in resource-constrained settings. This article adapts queuing models such as M/M/1, M/M/N, and M/G/1 to Nepal’s unique traffic dynamics, including chaotic intersections, toll plazas, and mixed traffic flows. Case studies from Kathmandu demonstrate queuing-based strategies reducing delays by up to 50%. Challenges like heterogeneous traffic behavior and infrastructure gaps are discussed, with recommendations for integrating low-cost IoT sensors and adaptive algorithms.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.1617