---
title: "How does the Intelligent Queue Algorithm work?"
description: "Learn about Intelligent Queue in Onde.Light."
url: https://help.light.onde.app/en/articles/133-how-does-the-intelligent-queue-algorithm-work
collection: "Order distribution"
updated: 2026-10-30
language: en
alternates: [es]
---

# How does the Intelligent Queue Algorithm work?

Learn about Intelligent Queue in Onde.Light.

Our system uses a smart and fair job distribution mechanism known as the Intelligent Queue.

**What happens when an instant order is placed?**

When a customer places an instant order, the system:

1.  Searches for available drivers within up to 100 km of the pickup point.
    
2.  Filters them based on their individual working radius (set in the Driver App).
    
3.  Builds a queue of eligible drivers.
    
4.  Sends the offer to drivers one by one based on their position in the queue, until it is accepted.
    

**How is driver priority calculated?**

Each eligible driver in the queue is ranked using a priority index, calculated from three factors:

-   Driver Karma – a score based on actions like accepting, rejecting, or canceling rides.
    
-   Waiting Time – how long the driver has been idle since their last completed trip.
    
-   Distance to Pickup – closer drivers are favored:
    
    -   <1 minute is prioritized over >1 minute,
        
    -   1–5 minutes is better than 5–8,
        
    -   8+ minutes is the least preferred.  
        

Drivers with the highest priority index are offered the job first.

**Benefits of the Intelligent Queue**

-   Faster service for customers – Orders are assigned more quickly, reducing wait times.
    
-   Fair job distribution – Rides go to drivers based on real-time metrics, not just location.
    
-   No physical queueing needed – The system tracks each driver’s place automatically.
    
-   Incentivizes good performance – Ignoring or rejecting jobs resets a driver’s waiting time, pushing them down the queue.  
    

**Example of the Intelligent Queue in action**

Let's say two drivers are within a 5-minute pickup range:

-   Driver 1: Last ride ended 3 minutes ago.
    
-   Driver 2: Last ride ended 15 minutes ago.  
      
    

Even with similar karma and distance, Driver 2 gets the job offer first due to their longer waiting time. If they decline, it moves to Driver 1.

![Map of Manhattan’s Midtown showing a shaded 5-minute arrival circle, a person marker, two car markers with wait times, and an arrow pointing to the right car marker labeled “Got the job first.”. Visible: 5 min arrival circle, Waiting 3 min, Waiting 15 min, Got the job first, Penn Station, Grand Cent](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helparticle/20261030120321_4179.png)

**Automated driver search algorithm has two rounds:**

1.  First Round: The system sends the order to drivers within their working radius.
    
2.  Second Round: If no one accepts, the system extends the search to include drivers up to twice their working radius (e.g., a 10 km radius becomes 20 km).  
    

If a driver receives an offer outside their working radius, the app shows a notification on the Offer screen, allowing them to manually accept if they choose.

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helparticle/20261030120321_3328.png)