Meaning of Analog model in applied operation research?

In applied operations research, an analog model refers to a representation of a real-world system or process that uses physical or conceptual analogies to simulate its behavior. These models leverage the similarities between the model and the actual system to draw insights or test hypotheses. For example, a hydraulic system might be used to model traffic flow, where fluid dynamics principles help understand vehicle movement. Analog models are valuable for visualizing complex systems and conducting experiments that would be impractical or impossible in reality.