Based on Kolesar et al. (1974). Metropolis PD Precinct 88 must determine the minimum number of police cars required to meet its needs for the next 24 hours. An average call for service requires 30 minutes. The number of calls the police department expects to receive during each hour is shown in the file P13_68.xlsx. The Metropolis PD standard of service is that there should be a 90% chance that a car is available to respond to a call. For each of the following, discuss how you might find a solution.
a. Suppose that patrol officer teams assigned to a car work an 8-hour shift beginning at 12 A.M., 8 A.M., or 4 P.M. Officers get an hour off for a meal. This hour can be anytime between the second and fifth hour of their shift. The precinct wants to know how many teams are needed to meet daily demand.
b. Suppose that patrol officer teams assigned to a car begin their 8-hour shifts at 12 A.M., 8 A.M., 12 P.M., 4 P.M., and 8P.M. An hour off for meals may be taken anytime during a shift. The precinct again wants to know how many teams are needed to meet daily demand.