Optimal Temporary Deferral of Reinforcements in a Single Terminal Flow Network

The provision of many public services is accomplished by means of a network of facilities. As demand for the service grows, the facilities in the network must be reinforced. Alternatives may exist, however, which temporarily defer one or more reinforcements. A model is presented which enables the optimal deferral policy in a single terminal flow network to be determined. The algorithm is illustrated by its application to a telephone exchange cable network.