Return to top of page
It is predominantly designed for use by Local Highway Authorities
within the United Kingdom and their umbrella organisations such
as the CSS (County Surveyors' Society), Association of London
Authorities etc. The information contained in MOLASSES
is also of interest to the wider transport community, particularly
the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Highways Agency (HA).
Enquiries are welcomed from all interested parties in the United Kingdom and
abroad. (It should be noted MOLASSES only contains information on Local Safety
Schemes installed in the United Kingdom.) To find out more about how to get information from MOLASSES go to
the Obtain Info page.
Return to top of page
The vast majority of contributors to the MOLASSES database are
Local Highway Authorities and about 60 authorities have provided schemes so
far. The Highways Agency and their agents have just begun to contribute data on trunk road schemes. Contributions are welcomed from all
organisations involved in the implementation of road safety schemes in the
United Kingdom including agents working on behalf of the Highways Agency.
In its Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans (March 2000)
the Departmentfor Transport (DFT) states that:
It is helpful for authorities to contribute local safety scheme
data to the Transport Research Laboratory's (TRL's) MOLASSES project. This
project aims to assess the effectiveness of different treatments in
relation to specific accident problem, to give individual authorities
a better idea of the effectiveness of different types of scheme and,
wherever possible, to provide information in response to specific
inquiries from authorities. It helps in identifying and disseminating
best practice.
The more schemes that are recorded in MOLASSES the more useful it becomes.
Therefore Local Authorities are strongly encouraged to contribute to the
database.
Another important organisation contributing information to MOLASSES
is the Highways Agency through its Area Agents.
Return to top of page
Many different items of information are contained within and can be provided for each
scheme recorded in the MOLASSES database. These cover the following broad
areas:
The type of scheme: Firstly at the general
level, eg signalised junction; then a more specific description, eg
addition of pedestrian phase stage at a signalised junction.
(Types of Scheme: Currently there are 12 broad
types of scheme: Signalised junction, Roundabout, Priority
junction, Bend, Pedestrian facility, Cycle scheme, Link calming, Link
general, Route calming, Route general, Area-wide calming, Area-wide general.)
The type of accident(s) which the treatment aims to
reduce:
For example vehicle/pedestrian conflict. It should be noted that due to the fact
that the police in the UK are only required to record details of Road
Accidents where at least one person was injured, all reference to
accidents in MOLASSES and this website refer to Personal Injury
Accidents (PIAs) on the UK road network.
(Types of Accident: Currently there are 17 types
of accident: Vehicle/pedestrian conflict, cyclist, motorcyclist,
overshoot, restart, shunt (all vehicles moving), shunt (at least one vehicle
stationary), loss of control on a bend, loss of control not on a bend,
overtaking, stopping, changing lane, turning right, turning left, U-turn,
excessive speed, other.)
The effectiveness of the scheme in terms of accident
reduction: In order to measure this, each scheme has a
"before" accident record associated with it and, when it becomes
available, an "after" accident record.
There are many other subsidiary items of information
that can be obtained. The best way to find out what these are is by
looking at the example input form.
Return to top of page
There are no lower or upper limits on the size of scheme that be submitted to the
MOLASSES database. The schemes should, however, be predominantly safety
schemes, that is, aimed at reducing accidents/casualties . It is possible to include safety elements of larger non-safety
schemes but only where any change in accidents brought about by their
implementation can be separately identified.
Return to top of page
Please go to the Submit info page for information on how you can contribute
information to MOLASSES. Please note that MOLASSES only covers Local Safety
Schemes in the United Kingdom.
Return to top of page
In our experience it is more efficient to compile the information
off-line and then send it forward as an attachment to an email than completing the
form while still connected to the internet.
Return to top of page
Please go to the Obtain info page which presents
examples of the kind of report that can be generated from the MOLASSES database. Alternatively, if you have a more detailed
query, go to the Contacts page where you will be able to submit your query
directly to us.
Return to top of page
For reasons of data confidentiality and security, and because of the
current structure of the database, we have decided not to allow public
access for remote searches. It is our intention over time to improve the
structure of the MOLASSES database so that remote access becomes
possible. Until such time, use may be made of the regularly updated
tables which are presented or enquirers may request bespoke searches to
be undertaken by TRL.
Return to top of page
There is a feedback/comments form on the Contacts page.
Return to top of page
