A method for managing data traffic operating on a deadline is provided. The method includes receiving, on an intermediate node, a packet having one or more traffic characteristics. The method also includes evaluating, on the intermediate node, the one or more traffic characteristics to determine a priority of the packet. The method also includes selecting one of multiple queues on the intermediate node based on the determined priority. The method also includes processing, on the intermediate node, the packet based on the determined priority. The method also includes enqueuing the processed packet into the selected queue. The method further includes outputting the queued packet from the selected queue.