An extension of the totally asymmetric exclusion process, which incorporates
a dynamically extending lattice is explored. Although originally inspired as a
model for filamentous fungal growth, here the dynamically extending exclusion
process (DEEP) is studied in its own right, as a nontrivial addition to the
class of nonequilibrium exclusion process models. Here we discuss various
mean-field approximation schemes and elucidate the steady state behaviour of
the model and its associated phase diagram. Of particular note is that the
dynamics of the extending lattice leads to a new region in the phase diagram in
which a shock discontinuity in the density travels forward with a velocity that
is lower than the velocity of the tip of the lattice. Thus in this region the
shock recedes from both boundaries.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figure