Konstantin Avrachenkov
INRIA, France
Dynamic Games and Applications Seminar
Equilibrium Queueing Strategies in Random Environment
Oct 22, 2026 11:00 AM — 12:00 PM (Montreal time)
Zoom webinar (link)
We study equilibrium queueing strategies in an M/M/1-type queueing system with strategic customers operating in a two-phase random environment described as a continuous-time Markov process. Strategic customers, upon arrival, choose whether to join or to balk based on available information and anticipated utility, considering the trade-off between reward from service and waiting cost. Four observational scenarios are analysed: fully observable (both queue length and environment phase are disclosed to a customer upon arrival), queue-only observable, environment-only observable, and fully unobservable. In each case, equilibrium joining strategies are analysed. In environment-only observable and fully unobservable cases, explicit solutions and equilibrium conditions are derived under rapid oscillations and under very slow transitions between environment phases. (with Uri Yechiali).