Geospatial maps

TxDOT maintains geospatial mapping standards and best practices to ensure consistency and clarity across all mapping products. Adhering to these guidelines supports uniform design, improves usability, and promotes effective communication.

Best practices

• 1 pt, neutral gray border on map

Header

• TxDOT Primary Blue (Blue 50) header bar
• No border or outline on header bar
• Title on the left
• Subtitle on the right
  • Examples include descriptive subtitle, year, district, etc.
• IBM Plex Sans
  • When IBM Plex Sans is unavailable, use Verdana. Verdana is native to Windows and MacOS.
• TxDOT White font color
• No text decorations (e.g., bold, italics, underline)
• Centered vertically and spaced evenly from margins
  

For additional guidance on TxDOT’s official color palette, refer to the Color Guidelines in the Digital Design System.

Footer

• TxDOT Primary Blue (Blue 50) footer bar
• No border or outline on footer bar
• Copyright, TxDOT, District or Division, Date
• Current TxDOT vertical white logo
• North arrow
  • Recommended for local, regional, and district maps. If the map represents the entire state, a north arrow is not required.
• TxDOT White font color
• No text decorations (e.g., bold, italics, underline)
• Centered vertically and spaced evenly from margins
  

Draft watermark

• When the map is a draft – not to be distributed or for publication – use a draft stamp
• TxDOT Warning (Yellow 50) font color
  
• Text: “DRAFT”
• Optional subtext: “FOR REVIEW ONLY”
• Optional “FOUO” For Official Use Only – sensitive, confidential, or regulated data maps – red
  

Legend

• Do not use the title of "Legend." If you cannot decide on a clear title for a legend, it may not require one at all.
• 1 pt, neutral gray border (matches map frame)
• TxDOT White background
• Evenly spaced from map edges
• For a cleaner experience, optionally use no border or background when the legend is placed in an unclutter space on the map, such as in the ocean.
  
• May include scale bar, disclaimers, descriptions, or other relevant information
  • TxDOT Gray 100 font color
  • Use whole number increments (e.g., 1 mile, 5 miles, 30 miles)
• TxDOT Gray 100 font color

Scale

• Use a solid white scale bar without subdivisions, with the units label (e.g., "Miles") placed after the bar
• TxDOT Gray 100 outline and font color
  
• Verify that the scale bar does not overlap other map elements
• Ensure a scale bar is present for each map inset where the inset uses a different scale than the main map frame

Map insets

• 1 pt, neutral gray border (matches map frame)
• TxDOT White background
• Evenly spaced from map edges
  • When more than one inset is present, maintain the same spacing between each and stack toward the outer edges of the map pane.
• Locator map
  • State of Texas
    • No surrounding states
    • Use neutral gray county or district boundary for context
    • Area of interest outline in TxDOT Red 50
    • No scale bar, north arrow or title
• Map inset title and scale bar
  • Only use a scale bar when the scale of the inset does not match the scale of the main map and other insets.
  • Neutral gray font and matching gray scale bar

• When symbolizing map layers that are the focus of the map – as opposed to background/basemap features – strive to use aesthetically pleasing, modern-looking color palettes. For simple features and/or simple maps without a lot of complexity, try some of TxDOT's data visualization colors.

Have data, maps, or apps that need to be shared with the public? Employees or contractors creating maps for the public are responsible for ensuring all guidelines are followed.

Metadata is data about data. You may not see it immediately when you open a map or add a layer, but it's important for understanding the meaning of the item. The following is a summary of the metadata to be filled out for all ArcGIS Online and Create Portal items. For a complete list of required metadata, please see the link below.

• A descriptive title
• A short item summary
• A thumbnail to help users visualize the product
• A description that expands on the who, what, when, where, and why of the item
• A populated Terms of Use section
• Assign any applicable categories and tags to make it easier for users to search for this data
• Credits
  

TxDOT has preconfigured ArcGIS Pro templates to help quickly start new GIS projects with consistent TxDOT branding, including layouts.

Are you a consultant or contractor that will be creating ArcGIS Online content for TxDOT? The GIS Data Integration Companion Guide walks you through:

• Requesting TxDOT account access
• Requesting a GIS account
• Requesting GIS training
  

This document provides guidance for the creation, delivery, and utilization of geospatial data and products within TxDOT. Adherence to these standards ensures data consistency, quality, and interoperability, supporting efficient delivery of GIS data and products.