For the past 20 years, the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Statewide Planning Map has served as a resource for planners, engineers, and the public across Texas. Originally developed in 2005 by Michael Chamberlain, TxDOT’s director of data management, the map was created at a time when modern web-based mapping tools were not widely available.
Chamberlain described the early days of development: “The first version was brutally simple. 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.” He built the map using JavaScript and HTML, providing features such as basemaps for highways, railroads, traffic data, and imagery.
As more features were added over time—including overlays and dynamic data—the tool evolved from a basic viewer to an all-purpose planning platform. “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 for planning, designing, building, and maintaining Texas’s highway system. The platform also includes information useful to the general public such as locations for stargazing, wildflower viewing spots, live traffic updates, and current or future project sites.
To mark its 20th anniversary, TxDOT is introducing new overlays and themed basemaps through 2026. Recent additions include a “BBQ layer” that highlights Texas Monthly’s Top 50 barbecue restaurants and a Thanksgiving-themed map. Chamberlain noted that further creative updates are planned: “I am proud of what it has become, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to its success over the years. 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, new guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding have been announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’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). This initiative aims to support communities in responding to challenges like wildfires and flooding.
Additionally, Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced an expansion in participation for FLOW (Freight Logistics Optimization Works), with partners now securely sharing supply chain data with USDOT (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-supply-chain-companies-collaborate-speed-movement-goods-cut-costs-consumers). The program seeks to improve goods movement efficiency across supply chains.
TxDOT plans continued enhancements to its mapping platform as it moves into its third decade of service.
