[
 {
  "date": "1597",
  "label": "Broad arrow marks the Board of Ordnance",
  "detail": "The three-line broad arrow, later cut under every OS benchmark, had become the mark of the Board of Ordnance.",
  "source_url": "https://www.fhithich.uk/2026/07/22/a-crows-foot-on-a-gatepost/",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1801",
  "label": "Graff credited with the first post hydrant",
  "detail": "Frederick Graff of Philadelphia is traditionally credited with the modern fire hydrant; no patent can be confirmed.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Graff",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1822",
  "label": "Boston Gas Light Co. founded",
  "detail": "Earliest ancestor of the gas company whose B.C.G.Co initials are on Boston covers.",
  "source_url": "https://forgotten-ny.com/2015/06/gas-water-and-telephone-relics/amp",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1836",
  "label": "Patent Office fire",
  "detail": "The US Patent Office fire destroys records, which is why Graff's hydrant patent cannot be confirmed.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Graff",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1845",
  "label": "Hyatt patents vault lights",
  "detail": "Thaddeus Hyatt patents round glass lenses set in cast-iron sidewalk panels.",
  "source_url": "https://tribecatrib.com/content/riches-underfoot-vault-lights-tribeca",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1850s",
  "label": "First street mailboxes",
  "detail": "First cast-iron collection boxes mounted on light posts in Boston, Philadelphia and New York.",
  "source_url": "https://ksdk.com/article/news/history/mail-collection-boxes-removed-history/63-548e0c74-8281-4e51-8152-43b235042da6",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1852",
  "label": "Belgian block in New York",
  "detail": "Tooled granite block introduced in New York, general after 1859; rounded cobbles used until about 1860.",
  "source_url": "https://untappedcities.com/2017/09/01/10-fun-facts-about-nyc-belgian-block-not-cobblestone-streets/2/",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1852",
  "label": "Boston switches on the first fire alarm telegraph",
  "detail": "Channing and Farmer's system opens with 40 boxes and 19 bells; Wikipedia gives April 29, the Boston Globe April 28.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_call_box",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1852-04-28",
  "label": "Boston fire alarm telegraph switched on",
  "detail": "The world's first municipal fire alarm telegraph goes live in Boston.",
  "source_url": "https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/03/metro/fire-alarm-boxes/",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1854",
  "label": "Pont-a-Mousson foundry founded",
  "detail": "The French foundry whose name appears on many Paris covers.",
  "source_url": "https://parisianfields.com/2011/10/09/walking-on-cast-iron-in-paris",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1857",
  "label": "Fire alarm telegraph patent",
  "detail": "Channing and Farmer receive US patent 17,355.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_call_box",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1859",
  "label": "Gamewell buys the rights",
  "detail": "John N. Gamewell buys the rights to the fire alarm telegraph.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_call_box",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1868",
  "label": "Coal-hole plates from 2s 9d",
  "detail": "Hayward Brothers advertises 12-inch coal-hole covers in London.",
  "source_url": "https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Coal_hole_cover",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1868-12",
  "label": "Gas-lit signal in Parliament Square",
  "detail": "The first traffic signals, gas-lit semaphores, go up in London's Parliament Square.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1879",
  "label": "Gamewell company formed",
  "detail": "The Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Co. is formed; by 1890 its systems are in 500 cities.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_call_box",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1880s",
  "label": "Boston underground electric network begins",
  "detail": "Eversource's secondary network in Boston dates to the late 1880s.",
  "source_url": "https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/10/metro/whats-causing-bostons-manhole-explosions-how-eversource-is-trying-prevent-them",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1882",
  "label": "New York steam service begins",
  "detail": "Con Edison's predecessor starts district steam in the Financial District in March.",
  "source_url": "https://untappedcities.com/2021/07/09/new-york-city-steam-system/",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1886",
  "label": "Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston founded",
  "detail": "Its EEI initials still appear on Boston covers.",
  "source_url": "https://universalhub.com/node/98249",
  "era": "Before 1900"
 },
 {
  "date": "1904",
  "label": "First listed GPO joint box cover",
  "detail": "Joint Box Cover 3 is the earliest in the British telephone cover lists.",
  "source_url": "https://www.britishtelephones.com/gpo/jointbox3.htm",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1910",
  "label": "Gamewell dominates",
  "detail": "Gamewell holds 95% of the US fire alarm telegraph market.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_call_box",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1911",
  "label": "First painted center line",
  "detail": "Edward N. Hines's center line on River Road, Trenton, Wayne County, Michigan.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_N._Hines",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1912",
  "label": "First OS flush brackets",
  "detail": "Ordnance Survey flush brackets with plain numbers 1 to 3000 were used from 1912 to 1921.",
  "source_url": "https://www.rushdenheartsandsoles.co.uk/history/Benchmark-Types.html",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1912",
  "label": "Electric traffic light in Salt Lake City",
  "detail": "Lester Wire builds an electric traffic light.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1914",
  "label": "Early Detroit stop sign",
  "detail": "Wikipedia credits Detroit police sergeant Harry Jackson with a 1914 stop sign; Signalfan dates the first recorded sign to 1915.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_sign",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1914-08",
  "label": "Electric signal in Cleveland",
  "detail": "The American Traffic Signal Co. installs an electric signal in Cleveland, Ohio.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1917",
  "label": "McCarroll paints a center stripe",
  "detail": "Dr. June McCarroll hand-paints a white stripe near Indio, California, in the fall; Oregon also paints a yellow center line on the Columbia River Highway that year.",
  "source_url": "https://cvindependent.com/2021/09/cv-history-dr-june-robertson-mccarroll-was-the-valleys-first-woman-doctor-but-shes-best-known-for-a-transportation-innovation/",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1920s-1930s",
  "label": "Nashua's triangular sewer covers",
  "detail": "Nashua Foundry begins casting triangular covers at engineer Walter Ellis's suggestion.",
  "source_url": "https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/local-news/2011/08/21/historic-and-unique-nashua-8217s-triangular-manhole-covers-are-being-replaced-because-they-8217re-too-small",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1922",
  "label": "Beacon Hill Civic Association forms",
  "detail": "Residents organize to oppose paving over brick sidewalks.",
  "source_url": "https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2012/the-trouble-with-brick",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1922",
  "label": "Beacon Hill defends brick",
  "detail": "Beacon Hill Civic Association forms to oppose paving over brick sidewalks.",
  "source_url": "https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2012/the-trouble-with-brick",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1922",
  "label": "Octagon chosen for stop signs",
  "detail": "An AASHO-backed committee picks the octagon so the sign is recognizable even from behind.",
  "source_url": "https://signalfan.com/road%20signs/stopsign.htm",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1923",
  "label": "Benchmark C9 set in Yellowstone",
  "detail": "The US Coast and Geodetic Survey set disk C9, stamped with an elevation of 7337.580 ft.",
  "source_url": "https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/benchmarking-benchmarks",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1924",
  "label": "California adopts center striping",
  "detail": "The California Highway Commission adopts striping in November and paints 3,500 miles.",
  "source_url": "https://cvindependent.com/2021/09/cv-history-dr-june-robertson-mccarroll-was-the-valleys-first-woman-doctor-but-shes-best-known-for-a-transportation-innovation/",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1924",
  "label": "Stop signs set to yellow",
  "detail": "Yellow is used because no fade-resistant red material exists; it lasts until 1954.",
  "source_url": "https://signalfan.com/road%20signs/stopsign.htm",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1934",
  "label": "Belisha beacons introduced",
  "detail": "UK Road Traffic Act 1934 introduces beacons at crossings marked by metal studs.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_crossing",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1936",
  "label": "OS G-series flush brackets",
  "detail": "Flush brackets with a G prefix first appear.",
  "source_url": "https://www.rushdenheartsandsoles.co.uk/history/Benchmark-Types.html",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1936",
  "label": "DIN 1451 becomes a German standard",
  "detail": "After a 1931 preliminary sheet, DIN 1451 is standardized; a 1938 order requires it on the Autobahn.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_1451",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1936-1940",
  "label": "WPA sidewalk stamps",
  "detail": "Dated WPA stamps in Lordsburg NM (1936, 1938), Provo UT (1939) and Knights Landing CA (1940).",
  "source_url": "https://livingnewdeal.org/new-deal-categories/sidewalks-and-stairs",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1939-1945",
  "label": "UK hydrant plates go black on yellow",
  "detail": "The wartime National Fire Service adopts black-on-yellow hydrant plates for visibility in all light.",
  "source_url": "https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/fire-hydrant-plates",
  "era": "1900-1945"
 },
 {
  "date": "1948",
  "label": "Highway Gothic published",
  "detail": "The FHWA Standard Alphabets are published; the same year's MUTCD requires reflectorized regulatory and warning signs.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Gothic",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1950-06-16",
  "label": "Last Watertown-Central Square trolley",
  "detail": "The line whose rails were uncovered under Arsenal Street in 2016 ends trolley service.",
  "source_url": "https://www.watertownmanews.com/?p=21602",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1951",
  "label": "First UK zebra crossing",
  "detail": "Striped zebra crossing opens on Slough High Street on 31 October.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_crossing",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1951-06-11",
  "label": "Freedom Trail dedicated",
  "detail": "Mayor John B. Hynes dedicates the trail, marked only by signs at 30 corners.",
  "source_url": "https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/node/77",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1954",
  "label": "Stop signs turn red",
  "detail": "The MUTCD changes stop signs to white on red, matching traffic signals.",
  "source_url": "https://signalfan.com/road%20signs/stopsign.htm",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1957-08-14",
  "label": "Interstate shield adopted",
  "detail": "AASHO approves the shield, combining Missouri and Texas designs.",
  "source_url": "https://highways.dot.gov/history/interstate-system/50th-anniversary/shields-and-signs",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1958",
  "label": "Freedom Trail red line added",
  "detail": "Dick Berenson's idea of a painted red line is carried out.",
  "source_url": "https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/sites/default/files/content/PDFs/inventing_the_freedom_trail.pdf",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1958",
  "label": "Green chosen for Interstate guide signs",
  "detail": "After a Capital Beltway test in which 58 percent picked green, the color is approved in January 1958.",
  "source_url": "https://highways.dot.gov/history/interstate-system/50th-anniversary/shields-and-signs",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1961-10-13",
  "label": "Ampelmännchen presented",
  "detail": "Karl Peglau presents the East German pedestrian figure.",
  "source_url": "https://www.ddr-museum.de/en/blog/archive/what-remains-gdr-part-v-traffic-signs-ampelmaennchen",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1965",
  "label": "Tenji blocks invented",
  "detail": "Seiichi Miyake invents tactile paving in Okayama, Japan, with his own money.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiichi_Miyake",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1965-01-01",
  "label": "UK Worboys sign system becomes law",
  "detail": "Kinneir and Calvert's signs and the Transport typeface become the national system.",
  "source_url": "https://www.designweek.co.uk/50-years-of-calvert-kinneirs-road-signs/",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1965-08-26",
  "label": "MBTA line colors assigned",
  "detail": "Cambridge Seven's color-coded lines are adopted; the T logo appears in the 1965 annual report.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Bay_Transportation_Authority",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1966",
  "label": "T logo codified",
  "detail": "The MBTA Manual of Guidelines and Standards fixes the Helvetica T in a black circle.",
  "source_url": "https://www.leventhalmap.org/digital-exhibitions/getting-around-town/topics/a-period-of-newness/",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1966",
  "label": "Botts' dots required in California",
  "detail": "California requires the ceramic dots in all non-snow areas.",
  "source_url": "https://99percentinvisible.org/article/end-road-botts-dots-round-markers-phased-california/",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1967-03-18",
  "label": "First tenji blocks installed",
  "detail": "First installation at a school for the blind in Okayama City, by the most cited account; one source says March 1965.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiichi_Miyake",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1968",
  "label": "Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals",
  "detail": "Concluded 8 November 1968; Article 29 allows white or yellow markings, blue for parking.",
  "source_url": "https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201091/volume-1091-I-16743-English.pdf",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1968-11-08",
  "label": "Vienna Convention signed",
  "detail": "The UN treaty on road signs is signed; it enters into force on 6 June 1978.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Signs_and_Signals",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1969",
  "label": "Ampelmännchen tested on Unter den Linden",
  "detail": "First successful testing of the figure in East Berlin.",
  "source_url": "https://www.ddr-museum.de/en/blog/archive/what-remains-gdr-part-v-traffic-signs-ampelmaennchen",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1971",
  "label": "Yellow center lines mandatory in the US",
  "detail": "MUTCD makes yellow the color separating opposing traffic and introduces red markings.",
  "source_url": "https://ghawkins.engr.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/08/MUTCDmarkingcolorevolution.pdf",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1972",
  "label": "Freedom Trail reaches Charlestown",
  "detail": "The trail is extended across the river.",
  "source_url": "https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/node/77",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1973",
  "label": "Japan's bluest green",
  "detail": "Japan sets the go light to the bluest possible shade of green.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1974",
  "label": "USPS low-volume box guideline",
  "detail": "Boxes averaging fewer than 25 pieces a day to be considered for removal.",
  "source_url": "https://ksdk.com/article/news/history/mail-collection-boxes-removed-history/63-548e0c74-8281-4e51-8152-43b235042da6",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1975",
  "label": "KnoxBox developed",
  "detail": "The KnoxBox rapid-entry key box is developed for fire departments.",
  "source_url": "https://www.securityindustry.org/2021/02/22/sia-new-member-profile-knox-company/",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1976",
  "label": "BS 3251 published",
  "detail": "The British Standard for hydrant indicator plates, still current, is issued.",
  "source_url": "https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/specification-indicator-plates-for-fire-hydrants-and-emergency-water-supplies",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1977",
  "label": "BWSC created",
  "detail": "Boston Water and Sewer Commission takes over from Boston Water Works.",
  "source_url": "https://forgotten-ny.com/2015/06/gas-water-and-telephone-relics/amp",
  "era": "1945-1980"
 },
 {
  "date": "1980",
  "label": "Bicycle-safe grate manual",
  "detail": "FHWA picks three bike-safe grate designs out of 11 tested.",
  "source_url": "https://trid.trb.org/View/190258",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "1983",
  "label": "Boston plans to remove its fire boxes",
  "detail": "With 1,420 street boxes, the city plans removal around 1990; it never happens.",
  "source_url": "https://www.fireengineering.com/firefighting/street-fire-alarm-boxes-leaving-the-boston-area/",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "1991",
  "label": "London's first red routes",
  "detail": "Red routes introduced in north and east London.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_route",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "1997",
  "label": "Save the Ampelmännchen",
  "detail": "A committee forms to bring back the East German figure.",
  "source_url": "https://www.ddr-museum.de/en/blog/archive/what-remains-gdr-part-v-traffic-signs-ampelmaennchen",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2001-09",
  "label": "JIS T 9251",
  "detail": "Japan standardizes tactile block patterns after more than 50 variations.",
  "source_url": "https://japanupclose.web-japan.org/tech/t20211008_1.html",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2002",
  "label": "Pipeline Safety Improvement Act",
  "detail": "The act provided the statutory basis for a national three-digit call-before-you-dig number.",
  "source_url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2005-04-13/pdf/05-7179.pdf",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2002-05",
  "label": "FHWA encourages domes",
  "detail": "FHWA memo encourages detectable warnings on curb ramps in federally funded projects.",
  "source_url": "https://www.access-board.gov/prowag/detectable-warnings-update.html",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2004-09-02",
  "label": "Clearview gets interim approval",
  "detail": "FHWA issues IA-5 allowing Clearview on light-on-dark guide signs.",
  "source_url": "https://mutcd-dr.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia5/ia5_reinstatement.htm",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2005-03-14",
  "label": "FCC designates 811",
  "detail": "FCC order 05-59 designated 811 for state one-call systems; carriers had two years from Federal Register publication to implement.",
  "source_url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2005-04-13/pdf/05-7179.pdf",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2006",
  "label": "Evacuation route signs downtown",
  "detail": "Signs go up on every major downtown thoroughfare pointing to evacuation routes.",
  "source_url": "https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/2006-02-01/boston-tests-limits-of-emergency-planning",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2007-05-01",
  "label": "811 launches nationally",
  "detail": "CGA, the FCC and Transportation Secretary Mary Peters launched 811 at a press conference.",
  "source_url": "https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2007/05/Government-Industry-Officials-Launch-National-Call-Before-You-Dig-Number.aspx?p=1",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2008",
  "label": "US manhole cover theft wave",
  "detail": "Long Beach, Philadelphia and Chicago report thefts as scrap prices rise.",
  "source_url": "https://www.npr.org/transcripts/92204515",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2008-01-22",
  "label": "Sign retroreflectivity rule takes effect",
  "detail": "Agencies must use a method to keep signs above minimum night visibility levels.",
  "source_url": "https://highways.dot.gov/safety/other/visibility/minimum-sign-retroreflectivity-requirements",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2009",
  "label": "Sharrow enters the MUTCD",
  "detail": "The shared lane marking is added to the US manual.",
  "source_url": "https://legacy.denverite.com/?p=177580",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2009",
  "label": "Flashing yellow arrow authorized",
  "detail": "The federal MUTCD formally authorizes the flashing yellow arrow for permissive left turns.",
  "source_url": "https://www.cts.umn.edu/news-pubs/news/2024/may/arrows",
  "era": "1980-2010"
 },
 {
  "date": "2010",
  "label": "No net new brick",
  "detail": "Boston adopts a no-net-new-brick sidewalk policy and bans City Hall pavers.",
  "source_url": "https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2012/the-trouble-with-brick",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2010",
  "label": "NFPA 24 relaxes the PIV rule",
  "detail": "After 2010, NFPA 24 allows wall indicator valves and other options instead of a PIV on most private fire mains.",
  "source_url": "https://blog.qrfs.com/?p=5735",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2011",
  "label": "Hubway launches",
  "detail": "Boston's bike share, now Bluebikes, opens with 60 stations and 600 bikes.",
  "source_url": "https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-bikes/blue-bikes",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2011",
  "label": "Boston launches Adopt-A-Hydrant",
  "detail": "In January 2011 Boston residents can claim and name a hydrant and promise to shovel it out.",
  "source_url": "https://www.boston.gov/departments/new-urban-mechanics/adopt-hydrant",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2011",
  "label": "Green bike lanes allowed by interim approval",
  "detail": "FHWA Interim Approval IA-14 issued April 15, 2011.",
  "source_url": "https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia14",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2011-07-28",
  "label": "Hubway launches in Boston",
  "detail": "Boston's bike share opens; it is renamed Bluebikes on May 9, 2018.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Hubway",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2012",
  "label": "Boston pilots LED street name signs",
  "detail": "LED-lit signs about 35 percent larger go up at three Downtown Crossing locations.",
  "source_url": "https://www.boston.gov/departments/new-urban-mechanics/led-street-name-signs",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2013-12-19",
  "label": "Beacon Hill rejects ramp plan",
  "detail": "Beacon Hill Architectural Commission votes 3-2 against concrete ramps with plastic tactile panels.",
  "source_url": "http://beaconhilltimes.com/2013/12/31/bhac-rejects-dpw-plan-for-ada-accessible-ramps/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2014",
  "label": "PAS 128 first published",
  "detail": "BSI's specification for underground utility detection, verification and location was first published.",
  "source_url": "https://www.ice.org.uk/news-views-insights/latest-news/ice-and-bsi-launch-revised-pas-128",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2014",
  "label": "HSG47 third edition",
  "detail": "HSE published the third edition of Avoiding danger from underground services.",
  "source_url": "https://www.hse.gov.uk/PUBNS/books/hsg47.htm",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2016",
  "label": "First Japanese manhole cards",
  "detail": "April: 30 designs from 28 municipalities.",
  "source_url": "https://www.gk-p.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/190318_oshirase.pdf",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2016-01-25",
  "label": "Clearview approval terminated",
  "detail": "FHWA ends IA-5; Congress forces its reinstatement on March 28, 2018.",
  "source_url": "https://mutcd-dr.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interim_approval/ia5/ia5_reinstatement.htm",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2017",
  "label": "Caltrans phases out Botts' dots",
  "detail": "Caltrans announces on May 24, 2017 that dots will be replaced with thermoplastic striping.",
  "source_url": "https://abc7.com/post/botts-dots-freeway-markers-being-phased-out-in-ca/2027715/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2017",
  "label": "NESC streetlight clearance raised",
  "detail": "The NESC raises clearance for ungrounded streetlights from 20 to 40 inches.",
  "source_url": "https://ikegps.com/ikewire/understanding-the-nesc-rules-for-streetlights-in-the-communication-worker-safety-zone/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2017",
  "label": "Japan adds English to stop signs",
  "detail": "Bilingual stop and slow signs roll out from July 2017 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.",
  "source_url": "https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/07/01/17/japan-begins-introducing-english-road-signs-ahead-of-olympics",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2018",
  "label": "Fire box beats a 911 outage",
  "detail": "On December 28, 2018, a North End fire is reported from a street box during a 911 outage.",
  "source_url": "https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/03/metro/fire-alarm-boxes/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2018-09",
  "label": "FCC small cell ruling",
  "detail": "US cities may not prohibit small cells in the right-of-way but may set design guidelines.",
  "source_url": "https://thorntonco.gov/media/file/small-cells-frequently-asked-questions",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2019",
  "label": "Red transit lanes allowed by interim approval",
  "detail": "FHWA Interim Approval IA-22 issued December 4, 2019.",
  "source_url": "https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-interim_approvals.htm",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2020",
  "label": "USPS pauses box removals",
  "detail": "Removals paused until after the November election following social media criticism.",
  "source_url": "https://ksdk.com/article/news/history/mail-collection-boxes-removed-history/63-548e0c74-8281-4e51-8152-43b235042da6",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2020-03-16",
  "label": "New Hampshire's first blue enforcement light",
  "detail": "Hudson, NH installs a light that shows blue when the signal is red.",
  "source_url": "https://hudsonnh.gov/node/43272",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2021-12",
  "label": "UK tactile guidance",
  "detail": "DfT publishes new tactile paving guidance replacing the 1998 version.",
  "source_url": "https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61df0c91e90e07037794fe90/guidance-on-the-use-of-tactile-paving-surfaces.pdf",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2022",
  "label": "City plans gas lamp replacement",
  "detail": "Boston says it plans to replace all its gas lamps with LEDs.",
  "source_url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/boston-plans-to-replace-historic-gas-lamps-with-energy-saving-led-lights",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2022",
  "label": "Revised PAS 128",
  "detail": "ICE and BSI launched a revised PAS 128 with practitioner training and detection accuracy guidance.",
  "source_url": "https://www.ice.org.uk/news-views-insights/latest-news/ice-and-bsi-launch-revised-pas-128",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2023",
  "label": "Manhole cards pass 10 million",
  "detail": "July: 968 designs from 668 municipalities and bodies, about 10.5 million cards.",
  "source_url": "https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/content/001617936.pdf",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2023",
  "label": "MUTCD 11th edition",
  "detail": "Published December 2023, incorporating green bike pavement, bike boxes, two-stage turn boxes and red transit lanes in whole or in part.",
  "source_url": "https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-interim_approvals.htm",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2023",
  "label": "Geocaching retires benchmarking",
  "detail": "Geocaching.com stopped hosting its benchmark-hunting section; retirement notes are dated October 17, 2022.",
  "source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benchmarking_(hobby)",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2023-08-08",
  "label": "PROWAG final rule",
  "detail": "Access Board publishes PROWAG, effective September 7, 2023.",
  "source_url": "https://www.tesc.psu.edu/assets/docs/An-Overview-of-the-Finalized-Public-Rights-of-Way-Accessibility-Guidelines.pdf",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2024",
  "label": "Statewide 911 outage",
  "detail": "During the June 2024 Massachusetts 911 outage, officials urge residents to use fire alarm boxes.",
  "source_url": "https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/03/metro/fire-alarm-boxes/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2024",
  "label": "196,977 utility damages",
  "detail": "CGA's DIRT report counted 196,977 damages; failure to notify 811 was the top root cause at 24.54 percent.",
  "source_url": "https://undergroundinfrastructure.com/magazine/2025/september-2025-vol-80-no-9/features/cga-report-shows-utility-damages-rising-nearly-200-000-incidents-in-2024",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2024-06",
  "label": "Fire boxes work through 911 outage",
  "detail": "Boston's street boxes keep working during the statewide 911 outage.",
  "source_url": "https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/03/metro/fire-alarm-boxes/",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2024-09",
  "label": "Bluebikes expansion in Boston",
  "detail": "Boston begins a 100-station expansion with new solar Pillar docks.",
  "source_url": "https://bluebikes.com/blog/new-pillar-station",
  "era": "2010-now"
 },
 {
  "date": "2025",
  "label": "California limits sharrows",
  "detail": "No new sharrows on roads posted above 30 mph from January 1, 2025, under SB 1216.",
  "source_url": "https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/safety-programs/documents/ctcdc/20241107/20241107-ctcdc-24-16-sb1216-shared-lane-marking-v2-a11y.pdf",
  "era": "2010-now"
 }
]