For the past 20 years, the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Statewide Planning Map has served as a key tool for planners, engineers, and partners across Texas. Marking its 20th anniversary, TxDOT is introducing new data layers and themed basemaps to enhance the platform’s capabilities.
Michael Chamberlain, TxDOT’s director of data management, developed the original version of the planning map in 2005. At that time, web-based mapping technology was still in its early stages. “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 featured basic overlays such as highways, railroads, traffic data, and imagery. Over time it evolved into a comprehensive planning platform used for designing and maintaining Texas’ highway system. Chamberlain explained, “Over the years it evolved into more than a simple map viewer. We added overlays, dynamic data, more basemaps, and the ability to share everything you create using URLs.”
In addition to technical uses by engineers and planners, recent updates have made the map accessible to general users interested in activities like stargazing or finding wildflowers. Notably, TxDOT has added features such as live traffic information and locations of current and future projects.
As part of its anniversary celebration through 2026, TxDOT is releasing new overlays including a “BBQ layer” that highlights Texas Monthly’s Top 50 barbecue restaurants and special themes like Thanksgiving. More creative 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.”
Recent initiatives from other transportation agencies include nearly $19.6 million in grant awards distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to support small shipyards in modernizing operations and expanding employment opportunities across 19 states (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-awards-nearly-20-million-funding-strengthen-us-shipyard-economic). The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced winners for its Inclusive Design Challenge on automated vehicle accessibility in recognition of the ADA’s anniversary (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/anniversary-ada-usdot-announces-winners-its-first-ever-inclusive-design-challenge). Additionally, new guidance with $7.3 billion in formula funding was issued by USDOT's Federal Highway Administration to help states prepare for extreme weather events under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-administration-announces-new-protect-formula-program-73-billion-bipartisan). Furthermore, Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently convened partners involved in FLOW (Freight Logistics Optimization Works) to advance supply chain optimization efforts with increased participation from industry stakeholders (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers).
