Planning

# Use map layers and overlays

Switch base maps and overlays such as traffic and truck restrictions on the map, and set up extra map layers for your platform.

Updated October 4, 2026

**Who can do this:** Setting up map layers: platform administrators with access to the Environment settings.

The maps in Transportial always offer two base maps: **Transport** and **Satellite**. Your administrator can add more, for example a PTV vector map with optional overlays for traffic, toll roads and truck restrictions.

## Switch the base map

1. Open a map, for example [map planning](/en-us/help/map-planning) or the map on the dashboard.
2. Find the layer picker: a small preview of the current map.
3. Hover or click it to see the other maps.
4. Click the map you want to use.

The picker only appears when more than one map is available. Your choice applies until you leave the page; the next time, the primary map loads again.

## Switch overlays on or off

Vector maps can come with optional overlays.

1. Select a vector map in the layer picker.
2. Click the layers icon (**Map overlays**).
3. Click an overlay to switch it on or off: **Traffic incidents**, **Traffic patterns**, **Truck restrictions**, **Toll roads**, **Low emission zones** or **Places**.

Which overlays exist depends on the map style. The overlays your administrator marked as default are on when the map loads.

## Add map layers for your platform

1. Open the side menu (☰) and choose **Settings**.
2. Click the **Environment** tab.
3. Open **UI Settings** and go to **Map layers**.
4. Click **Add map layer**, or **Add PTV vector map** to start from a PTV template.
5. Fill in the fields below.
6. Switch on **Primary** for the map that should load first.
7. Click **Save**.

| Field                           | What it does                                                                            |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Enabled**                     | Whether users can choose this map.                                                      |
| **Primary**                     | The map that loads first.                                                               |
| **Name**                        | The name users see in the picker.                                                       |
| **Type**                        | **Raster (tiles)** for image tiles, **Vector (style)** for a vector style.              |
| **URL** and **API key**         | Where the map comes from, and your key for that provider.                               |
| **Preview image URL**           | The thumbnail shown in the picker.                                                      |
| **Attribution**                 | The copyright text shown on the map.                                                    |
| **Overlays enabled by default** | Vector maps only: overlays that are on when the map loads. Users can still switch them. |

A PTV map needs your own PTV API key. **Load default layers** restores the standard set. The built-in Transport and Satellite maps always stay available.

## Related articles

* [Plan trips on the map](/en-us/help/map-planning)
* [Configure your environment](/en-us/help/platform-settings)
* [Calculate a route with the route planner](/en-us/help/route-planner)

## Still need help?

Our support team is happy to answer any question about Transportial.

[Contact support](/en-us/contact)[Report an issue](/en-us/report-issue)

---
Canonical page: https://transportial.com/en-us/help/map-layers