Massachusetts Transportation Map

DATE: 1998-present
CLIENTS: Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (Masspike–defunct)

The Challenge
To create a new digital "glove-compartment style" highway map. 

Development
Due to the success of the MBTA System Map I was approached by both MHD and Masspike to create a digital highway map to replace their archaic hand-drawn versions. Since the differences between the two maps were cosmetic, I decided to create one master digital map that could be customized for each agency.

Phase One involved creating a master base map. Since no previous digital maps had been developed I used data from a newly instituted Geographic Information System (GIS). Once the data was imported into a computer drawing program, it resembled a bowl of "line spaghetti" (see right).

Phase Two involved the painstaking process of using paper atlases to deduce what each line was. They were then assigned to a layer and given its appointed style.

For Phase Three I typed all labels and created road and highway symbols and properly placed them.

For Phase Four I created subsequent inset maps and used a desktop publishing program for layout.

Phase Five involved customizing each map for MHD and Masspike.

Lessons Learned
Importing the data from the GIS program proved challenging. At the time (mid 90's) the GIS software could only be imported into AutoCAD via a Data Exchange File (DXF). From there it was brought into Canvas (defunct), then Freehand (defunct) to Illustrator. In addition, the GIS system had the data to 14 decimal places, making the files too large to use. I had to reduce that number to four.

MHD and Masspike treated the final product differently. MHD used it as showcase for the state of Massachusetts and all of its tourism options. Masspike used its version to promote itself. The map had advertisements scattered throughout. Being a limited-access highway, the Masspike Map had an inset along the bottom showcasing each exit and the facilities at each of its Travel Plazas (rest stops). Some of the differences are shown below.