ICT Class Sixth Meeting

Modelling Applications and Types of Processing 

A. MODELLING APPLICATIONS 

1. Tuck Shop

• The table above shows an example of a tuck shop spreadsheet. 
• By using this model, we can know the profit or loss of a shop. 
• This is a very simple model but it shows the principal of using spreadsheets to carry out any type of modelling that can be represented in a mathematical form.

2. Traffic Light Simulation 

• To carry the traffic light simulation correctly, data must be collected first. 
  
• The data that needs to be collected in processing this simulation are: 
• the number of vehicles passing the junction in all directions
• the time of day for the vehicle count
• how many vehicles build up at the junction at different times of the day
• how vehicle movements change at weekends, bank holidays, etc.
• how long it takes a vehicle to clear the junction
• how long it takes the slowest vehicle to pass through the junction
• the movements made by vehicles (e.g. left turns, right turns, filtering, etc.)
• additional environmental factors, such as whether there are pedestrian
• crossings nearby.
• After data is already collected, the designers can carry out the simulation. However, there can be different scenarios happening in the traffic. 
• Here are some examples of those scenarios: 
• vary the timing of the lights and see how the traffic flow is affected
• build up the number of vehicles stopped at part of the junction and then change
• the timing of the lights to see how the traffic flow is affected
• increase or decrease traffic flow in all directions
• how emergency vehicles affect traffic flow at different times of the day.
• This simulation can then be used to optimize the flow of traffic through the junction on an ongoing basis.
• Sensors in the road gather data and count the number of vehicles at the junction.
• This data is sent to a control box or to a computer. It may need to be converted first into a form understood by the computer.
• The gathered data is compared to data stored in the system. The stored data is based on model/simulation predictions which were used to optimize the traffic flow.
• The control box or computer ‘decides’ what action needs to be taken.
• Signals are sent out to the traffic lights to change their timing if necessary.

B. TYPES OF PROCESSING

1. Batch Processing

• In this process, jobs or tasks are first collected in the computer over a period of time. 
• Then, the jobs are loaded into the computer system and processed all together or batched. 
• User interaction is not required once batch processing starts. 
• This process cannot be used if users need the data directly or immediately. 
• Advantages of batch processing:
• Jobs can be processed when the system is not being used 
• Used mainly for billing systems, payroll systems and bank cheques.  

2. Real Time Processing 

• This process is an example of online processing. 
• Different from batch processing, this processing needs to be done immediately. 
• Real time processing is commonly used in the systems for airplane or theatre seat bookings. 
• Another example may include the ATM machine. 

3. Real Time Process Control 

• This process is an example of online processing but differ with real time processing in a few ways. 
• This system usually involves sensors and feedback loops 
• One of the examples of the uses of real time process control is temperature in which it is continually monitored and the input is processed sufficiently quickly to influence the input source.