Queue Types

There are three major types of physical queue configurations: multiple queues, single queue, and take-a-number queue.  Queue configuration tells us what a queue looks like.

Some basic queue configurations

A single queue system is sometimes called a snake queue. You often see these at airports.

A multiple queue system is often used in supermarkets and retail outlets.

This queue at the rugby sevens is a multiple queue.

Rugby Sevens queue at Westpac stadium in Wellington New Zealand

A 'take-a-number' queue is often seen at restaurants/bars, fast food places like Fish and Chip shops, and sometimes also at banks. A take-a-number type queue operates at 'Just Cuts', a franchised hairdressing salon. No appointments are taken, but your name is put into a 'line' on their computer (using the FCFS First-Come-First-Served rule) and they can tell you the approximate wait time so you can go off and do other things while you wait. Types of take-a-number technologies are improving and becoming more common. E.g. at busy one-stop-shop customer service centers.

Often a combination of queuing configurations can be seen. The above queue at the Rugby Sevens, although a multiple queue, is also like a snake queue.