## 8.16 The ROUTE block & SEQUENCES element

8.16.1 The `ROUTE' block

The `ROUTE' block is our first example of a transfer block (others are `TRANSPORT' and `CONVEY'. Transfer blocks have the function of moving or transporting entities from their current station to a new station.

This is the simplest of the transfer blocks which assumes unconstrained movement for the entity. That is once the transfer is underway it is assumed that nothing can impede the transfer. The only assumption made

is that time may be required for the transfer to take place. As you might anticipate two parameters are required for this block : the destination station name or number and the time taken for the transfer.

Example 8.11

In the following fragment of ARENA code if the due_date is greater than 10 the entity is routed to the dispatch station with a time which is exponentially distributed with a mean of 2 units otherwise the entity transfers directly to the station `Storage'

NOTE the `STATION' Dispatch could be located anywhere in the model diagram. There is no requirement for it to be in the proximity of the `ROUTE' block.

As we have seen the system attribute `M' keeps track of the station location of an entity. As soon as an entity passes through a `ROUTE' block M is updated to the destination `STATION' irrespective of how long it takes to travel there. You can view the name or number of a entities M attribute at any time to discover its location, or its destination if it is en route.