I think rush hour travel on NYC's subway might put your "transport happens in constant time for grade separated trains" notion to the test. New York City's subway system is quite impressive, given that it's pushing 100 years old in many places and runs (nearly) 24/7/365, but the more crowded the subway gets -> the longer the doors take to close -> train headways become unevenly spaced -> queueing dynamics come into play. The latest "subway etiquette" ad campaigns from the operators specifically instruct riders to stand aside before boarding the train. [1] NYC rush hour is probably right on the edge of the "reasonable bounds" you are describing.
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I think rush hour travel on NYC's subway might put your "transport happens in constant time for grade separated trains" notion to the test. New York City's subway system is quite impressive, given that it's pushing 100 years old in many places and runs (nearly) 24/7/365, but the more crowded the subway gets -> the longer the doors take to close -> train headways become unevenly spaced -> queueing dynamics come into play. The latest "subway etiquette" ad campaigns from the operators specifically instruct riders to stand aside before boarding the train. [1] NYC rush hour is probably right on the edge of the "reasonable bounds" you are describing.
[1] http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/CourtesyCounts.htm#STEPASID...