Not only is watching a long line of vehicles creeping along at a snail’s pace incredibly boring, but it can also add hours to your working day.

I, like many others, have been working from home during the pandemic and one unexpected benefit during the Covid-19 lockdown period was how quiet our major roads were. But with more people in the UK expected to continue to work from home in the longer period, will the traditional rush hour ever return to what it was before?!

During the pandemic our data experts have been supporting engineering consultancy Atkins on some interesting research carried out on the North of England’s road network.

We have supplied Atkins with anonymised mobile network data so they can learn how traffic patterns have changed along nearly 5,000 miles of key roads in the region since March. They hope to gain insights into what to expect for the future of our roads.

The aggregated and anonymised network usage data provided by BT between March and June, covered road usage on major highways such as the M1, M6 and A1. And a new report by Atkins, following the research, has found that the ‘new normal’ post Covid-19, could have a transformative effect on our major roads.

The reduced geographical spread of journey origins could be a good indicator for the effect remote working could have on road usage. With many people who used to travel further distances for work now likely to spend at least some time working from home, Atkins believes traffic on key roads in and out of towns and cities will become more localised.

But it doesn’t stop with home working, as the increased flexibility to work schedules with people rarely now working the traditional 9-5 could help reduce the usual peak-time traffic levels. However, these benefits are likely to vary across local and strategic roads.

The research found that changes to road usage have been more profound than simply a reduction in traffic volumes, as there has also been a major shift in the type of journeys and the reasons for making them.

The report also singled out the Manchester area as being one where the road network may still be particularly congested at peak times post Covid-19, in comparison to other areas in the North of England. This is because the research indicates that many commuters using Manchester’s key roads work in jobs that they cannot carry out remotely.

Atkins and BT will continue to process the data required to analyse the UK’s road usage, both in the short and longer-term.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all our lives, and some of the new ways of working and living could well become permanent. So, perhaps the days of queuing for long periods in traffic each day will become a distant memory - only time will tell.

For more information and to view the Atkins report visit https://www.snclavalin.com/en/beyond-engineering/rush-hour-a-thing-of-the-past 

Adrian Joseph, MD, Group Data & AI Solutions

As the UK reaches 100 days of lockdown, BT reveals how the nation has embraced technology to overcome the changes to daily life. Over half of Brits are now using technology more than ever to work from home, beat boredom, stay fit and keep connected with friends and family. As lockdown begins to lift and the nation looks to the future, research and data from BT tells the story of Britain in lockdown and finds the majority of the UK believe that some new habits are here to stay.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division: “The past 100 days have completely changed how we live and interact with each other. We’ve all had to adapt how we go about our daily lives, from the ways we learn, work, shop, keep active to how we connect with each other. Technology has been key to navigating this new world and as a nation we’ve been embracing its potential with over a third of us developing new skills.

It’s clear that the service we provide has never been more important to our customers. From keeping connected to staying educated and entertained, I’m proud that we’ve served the nation. Across our brands we have introduced over 20 new initiatives to help the country adapt during these tough times and continue to help as we return to a new normality.”

March - Keeping connected as lockdown begins

When the UK entered lockdown on 23rd March, the nation embraced new, and old ways to keep connected. Zoom users on EE’s network increased fivefold during lockdown compared to earlier in the year. But most of the nation reached for the phone to keep in touch with loved ones, with over half of Brits dialing to stay connected. BT’s data shows that they had a lot to talk about, with a huge 90% increase in calls lasting over 5 minutes compared to February. Those not dialing were typing, with text messaging the second preferred communication method followed by video–calling.

Lockdown meant we couldn’t see our family and friends, but for those directly affected by coronavirus being connected was more important than ever - BT supported the new Nightingale field hospitals to get connected quickly. The ExCeL Nightingale hospital was installed with 1,000 digital phones and handsets as well as high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity in just 48 hours. Over 260,000 NHS staff received the EE & BT unlimited mobile data offer launched in April, and EE donated 8,000 rechargeable power banks to the NHS.

April - Upskilling the UK through tech

With more time spent at home, the country found new ways to put their time to good use. Four in five Brits claimed they managed to stay productive and one in six found new ways to learn online. To help upskill the nation, BT launched Top Tips on Tech with ITV – a two week long daily series of how-to-guides during prime-time TV demonstrating digital skills like WhatsApp calls and booking online GP appointments. It wasn’t just individuals who suddenly needed to adapt their skills during lockdown, BT reached over 40,000 business owners and employees with digital skills training too.

With children at home and many parents becoming teachers overnight, BT’s Barefoot platform supported parents and teachers with home-schooling. Since it went live in 2014, the programme has reached over 2.8 million pupils across UK primary schools, with the ‘Learn at Home’ page seeing a 1,100% spike in traffic during lockdown.

May – Discovering a Work / Life balance

All bets were off in May as the suspension of live sports and events meant many found new ways to feel a sense of community through live fitness sessions, online gaming, and online concerts. In a show of support to the nation crisis, BT Sport customers donated a total of £1m to the NHS through paused subscription payments.

For singletons and couples living apart, dating also went virtual. 16 - 24-year olds were the most willing to try their hand at virtual dating, with one in ten using video calls for dating in lockdown. EE’s network usage reveals dating apps including Tinder, Bumble, Match, Hinge and Grindr saw over 70% more users compared to the beginning of lockdown.

As working from home became the norm, BT undertook one of the UK’s biggest office to home working migration, with nearly 10,000 Consumer call centre staff from BT, EE and Plusnet becoming virtual contact centres. Commutes drastically reduced and became a matter of travelling downstairs, BT data showed workdays start later, with the spike in Wi-Fi calls shifting from 8am to 9am, whilst 11am remaining the peak call time.

With the home now also becoming an office and a school, the nation adapted to achieve a work-life balance. Half of those surveyed claim they’ve improved their habits in the past 100 days, and this includes being more active. One fifth of adults explored their local area by exercising outside during lockdown and seven in ten said they used fitness technology, including virtual workout programmes, at home during lockdown.

June - Looking to the future

Half of Brits claimed they changed their habits for the better during lockdown and looking to the future, BT research shows the nation is assessing the changes they will keep in place. Four out of 10 agree that they have discovered new digital skills they plan to keep using after lockdown including booking virtual appointments, mobile banking, and online GP services.

With the majority of schools not set to re-open until September, BT will provide in-need families with six months free access to the UK’s largest Wi-Fi network which extends to 5.5 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the country to help keep children learning.

Almost a third of Brits will continue to shop online for non-essentials, yet over a quarter admitted they can’t wait to get back to the high street. An overwhelming 89% of survey respondents said they’re in favour of shops having virtual booking systems rather than physical queues.

BT Sport have today announced that it will remain free for pubs and clubs until August, recognising the extremely difficult circumstances that the on-trade industry faces as they plan to reopen post lockdown.

From August, existing customers who re-contract will receive a Back to Business offer, which will apply a 70% discount on a customer’s charges in August. The discount will then decrease on a monthly basis until the end of the year, when standard charges will resume. This means from July to December, customers taking the offer will experience an average saving of 50% every month.

Bruce Cuthbert, director of commercial customers, BT Sport said: “We recognise that when pubs re-open they will be operating within challenging restrictions whilst trying to reconnect with their customers and communities. During this time we are committed to supporting our customers and helping them get back to business in a sustainable way. We hope that our approach, along with the free digital training we are offering to the industry, will help pubs and clubs make a strong recovery from the impact of Covid-19.”

Pubs and clubs who want to show live sport in their venue must adhere to the government guidelines, including maintaining social distancing and ensuring that customers do not unduly raise their voices. It is advised that when showing live sport that the volume is kept low and that customers are encouraged not to raise their voices and maintain social distancing.

This summer BT Sport customers will be able to show live football from the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

Announced earlier this month, BT Sport is offering free digital support and training to pubs and clubs to help them overcome the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme follows on from previous work with Google and will be split into three areas: online webinars, instructional videos and 1-2-1 digital training for BT Sport customers.

Three webinars are available on the BT Business YouTube page, each tailored to the hospitality sector and on-trade market and are open for anyone to join. The webinars have been created with help from the BII, Hospitality Ulster and Club Mirror and cover how venues can use an online presence to drive footfall and boost consumer confidence.

In addition to the webinars, later this month a series of short, instructional videos will be released on BT’s website and social media which cover a range of topics and also address potential solutions to the problems posed by the pandemic.

BT Sport customers will also have access to 1-2-1 digital training with the BT Sport team. Sessions can be booked online and will be run over Skype, with specially trained BT agents who are on hand to help you and your venue. These will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To book a place, visit: https://btsportprint.co.uk/digital-learning

The company’s research and innovation hub, near Ipswich, is working with local schools, universities and 3D printing firms to supply organisations, including the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), with the vital protective equipment.

Lisa Perkins, BT Adastral Park research and realisation director, said they developed a prototype of the widely approved PRUSA visor using a 3D printer, after hearing about the difficulties the NHS was facing in securing enough PPE.

She said: “It started off as a small request enquiring if we had any 3D printers which then grew to us taking on the whole co-ordination of producing these visors across the region.

“It’s not just ESNEFT this is limited to either, as we’re also supplying local GP and even care homes who have approached us.”

Ms Perkins said a prototype of the visor was shown to officials at Ipswich Hospital who were so impressed that they asked if production could be ramped up immediately.

She added: “We’ve set up a production line at Adastral Park and delivered our first visors to Ipswich Hospital on 9 April. They told us they would be put to use in the intensive care unit immediately and it’s incredible to think it’s already making a difference.

“We’re working with so many great partners on this project including Stealth Mounts, Farlingaye High School and University of Suffolk, as well as Connectix Cabling Systems, Ipswich Makerspace, Kemtron and Stour Valley School. Huge numbers of individuals are also contributing using their personal 3D printers and supplies, and non-manufacturing businesses are also contributing. We’ve only just started but the plan is to soon be producing around 3,000 visors a week.”

The visors cover the face and are based on two approved designs. They are also made of acetate which means they can be disinfected and potentially re-used.

Ms Perkins said they had also been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community and businesses in donating materials towards the effort.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to those who have responded to our plea to help do this,” she said.

“We’ve been blown away by the amazing response we’ve had. We’ve got an army of people 3D printing the frames, we’ve had large donations of acetate and elastic and people have offered to collect and deliver materials.”

Ipswich Hospital is co-ordinating distribution of the visors throughout Trust sites including Aldeburgh, Clacton, Halstead, Harwich and Felixstowe community hospitals and Bluebird Lodge, near Ipswich.

Dr Angela Tillett, Chief Medical Officer at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) which runs Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, said: “We are hugely grateful to everyone in the community who is offering their support and making donations like this possible.

“This very large and regular supply of full-face visors is making a real difference and allowing our teams to continue the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) at ESNEFT safely.

“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone at BT for their kindness and hard work.”

In addition to supporting the NHS with the protective visors, BT’s Adastral Park also has an Emergency Response Team who are playing their part. The team receive specialist training and have a fully equipped ambulance. Since the weekend they have been supporting the East of England Ambulance Service on emergency call outs.

Ms Perkins said BT had also received requests from other health and social care providers and also Suffolk Police to supply them with visors.

She added: “We know the demand is huge and we will help out as much as possible. So many people have stepped up and contributed but we would be delighted if more people could join our cause to help us in this effort.”

BT is asking for donations of elastic and acetate and also appealing to local 3D printing or laser cutting businesses to get in touch if they think they can support. For further information contact computerscience@bt.com