PSTAT160B Arrival and Interarrival Times
PSTAT 160B
Lecture 2
1.2 Arrival and Interarrival Times:
Let ( Nt ) t ≥0 denote a Poisson process with parameter{" "} λ > 0.
Let X 1 denote the time of the first arrival,{" "} X 2 the waiting time between the first and the second arrival, X 3 the waiting time between the second and third arrival, and so on...
Can we say something about the distribution of X 1 ,X 2 ,...?
Are they independent?
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Definition 1.7 |
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Let X 1 ,X 2 ,... be a sequence of i.i.d exponential random variables with parameter{" "} λ > 0. For t > 0, let Nt = max{ n ≥ 1 : X 1 + ... +{" "} Xn ≤ t } with N 0 = 0. Then ( Nt ) t ≥0 defines a Poisson process with parameter λ > 0. Let {" "} Sn = X 1 + ... +{" "} Xn for n = 1,2,... We call S 1 ,S 2 ,... the arrival times of the process, where{" "} Sk is the time of the k-th arrival. Furthermore, {" "} Xk ={" "} Sk −{" "} Sk −1 for k = 1,2 ,... is the interarrival time between the ( k − 1)-th and k-th arrival, with S 0 = 0. |
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Fact |
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Definitions 1.2 and 1.7 of a Poisson process are mathematically equivalent! |
Poisson Process = counting process for which interarrival times are independent and identically distributed exponential random variables
Important Properties of exponential distribution
Recall from PSTAT 120A:
A random variable X is memoryless if, for all{" "} s ,t > 0 we have
P[X > s + t |X > s] = P[X > t].
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Fact |
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The exponential distribution is the only continuous distribution which is memoryless. |
Minimum of independent exponential random variables:
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Proposition 1.8 |
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Let X 1 ,...,Xn be independent exponential random variables with parameters λ 1 ,...,λn . Let M = min{ X 1 ,...,Xn } . (a) For t > 0 we have P[M > t] = e−t( λ 1+...+λ n). That is, M has exponential distribution with parameter λ 1 + ... +{" "} λn . (b) For k = 1,...,n we have λk {" "} P[M ={" "} Xk ] = . λ 1 + ... +{" "} λn |
Proof: See Lecture 2 Part 3.
Sum of i.i.d. exponential distributed random variables is gamma distributed.
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Proposition 1.9 |
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For n = 1,2,... let{" "} Sn be the time of the n-th arrival in a Poisson process with parameter λ. Then{" "} Sn has a gamma distribution with parameters{" "} n and λ. The density function of{" "} Sn is given by λ nt n−1e− λ t fS n (t) = for t > 0. (n − 1)! Mean and variance are {" "} n n E[ Sn ] = and Var( Sn ) = 2 . λ λ |
Proof: See Assignment 1.
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Example 1.10 |
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The Transit Center in Downtown Santa Barbara services three lines, 24X, 12X, and 20. The buses on each line arrive at the Transit Center according to three independent Poisson processes. On average, there is the 24X every 10 minutes, the 12X every 15 minutes, and the line 20 every 20 minutes. (a) When you arrive at the Transit Center what is the probability that the first bus that arrives is the 12X? (b) How long will you wait, on average, before some bus arrives? (c) You have been waiting 20 minutes for the 24X and have watched three line 20 buses go by. What is the expected additional time you will wait for your bus 24X? |
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Example 1.11 |
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The times when goals are scored in hockey are modeled as a Poisson process in a work by Morrison (1976). For such a process, assume that the average time between goals is 15 minutes. (a) In a 60-minute game, find the probability that a fourth goal occurs in the last 5 minutes of the game. (b) Assume that at least three goals are scored in a game. What is the mean time of the third goal? |
