What is MOLASSES?

MOLASSES is a database that contains information about Local Road Safety Schemes installed by Local Authorities in the United Kingdom.

The acronym MOLASSES stands for "Monitoring Of Local Authority Safety SchemES".  The database has been active since 1991.

What is a Local Safety Scheme?

A Local Safety Scheme is a road scheme implemented by a Local Authority on local roads to address identified road safety problems. A Local Safety Scheme may involve simple things like adding a new sign or road markings, or more complex things like changing the layout or geometry of the road. Local Safety Schemes can be applied at a specify site (for example, at a junction), along a route or over an area.

The purpose of a Local Safety Scheme is to reduce the number of road accidents and casualties. Although it may have other benefits link improving the road environment.

Please note: MOLASSES now also covers schemes carried out by the Highways Agency.

Who started the MOLASSES database?

The MOLASSES project was initiated by the County Surveyors' Society (CSS) Accident Reduction Working Group (ARWG) in 1991.  It was initially managed by Professor Chris Wright at Middlesex University.  In 1993 TRL Limited agreed to take it over and they have been in charge of the database, and its operation, since that time.

What is it used for?

The objectives of the database are to

- assess the effectiveness of different treatments in relation to specific accident problems,

- give a better idea of the effectiveness of different types of Local Safety Schemes,

- wherever possible, to produce reports and provide information in response to specific enquiries. 

How does MOLASSES work?

When a Local Authority in the United Kingdom or the Highways Agency installs a Local Safety Scheme it is strongly encouraged to send details of that scheme to TRL Limited (details of the procedure are presented on the Submit Info page). The information is then entered into the MOLASSES database by staff at TRL.

MOLASSES asks for such information as what type of Local Safety Scheme it is, where and when it was installed and very importantly the number of personal injury road accidents which have occurred at the site 3 years or more before it was installed. 

Three years after the Local Safety Scheme was installed, TRL send another form back to the same Local Authority or Highways Agency Area Agency and ask for details of the personal injury accidents that have occurred after the installation of the Local Safety Scheme. This information is then also added to the MOLASSES database.

The effectiveness of the Local Safety Scheme can be assess by comparing the number of personal injury accidents before its installation with the number of personal injury accidents which have occurred in the same period after its installation. By comparing these figures we can workout how effective the Local Safety Scheme has been at reducing personal injury accidents. By comparing these figures with the cost of installing the scheme, we can work out how cost effective it is.

Using the database we can compare the effectiveness of different types of treatment and measure how the effectiveness has changed over time.

For more information about the MOLASSES database please go straight to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

If you would like to submit information to MOLASSES go to the Submit Info page.

If you would like to obtain information from MOLASSES go to the Obtain Info page.

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