For two decades, the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Statewide Planning Map has served as a resource for planners, engineers, and the public. Marking its 20th anniversary, TxDOT is introducing new features and themed basemaps to expand the map’s capabilities.
Michael Chamberlain, director of data management at TxDOT, developed the first version of the planning map in 2005. At that time, modern mapping frameworks were not available. “The first version was brutally simple,” Chamberlain said. “None of the mapping frameworks available today existed back then so I wrote my own—after reading and re-reading a dozen books on the topic.”
Initially, the map included basic basemaps for highways, railroads, traffic data, and imagery. These features quickly became essential tools for staff and planning partners across Texas. Over time, additional overlays and dynamic data were added. “Over the years it evolved into more than a simple map viewer,” Chamberlain said. “We added overlays, dynamic data, more basemaps, and the ability to share everything you create using URLs.”
Today, TxDOT engineers use the Statewide Planning Map as an analytical tool for planning and maintaining highways throughout Texas. The map also provides information accessible to all users such as locations for stargazing, wildflower viewing areas, live traffic updates, and details about current or future projects.
To celebrate its 20th year in operation through 2026, TxDOT is adding unique overlays including a “BBQ layer” with Texas Monthly’s Top 50 barbecue restaurants and a Thanksgiving theme. More additions are planned for next year.
“I am proud of what it has become, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to its success over the years,” Chamberlain said. “As part of our celebration for ‘20 Years of Planning Map,’ we are creating unique overlays, basemaps and content through the end of the year and 2026.”
Meanwhile on a national level related to transportation innovation and infrastructure: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration recently announced new guidance along with $7.3 billion in formula funding under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states address extreme weather events such as wildfires or flooding (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan). Additionally, DOT initiatives like FLOW aim to improve supply chain efficiency by bringing together partners who securely share logistics data (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers).
Other recent federal efforts include awarding nearly $19.6 million in grants to small shipyards nationwide to modernize facilities and support local jobs (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic), as well as recognizing innovative mobility solutions for people with disabilities through a $5 million Inclusive Design Challenge (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge).
