Configurable Distance-from-Roads / Roadless Analysis Layer

Just copying a feature request I made to the team to see if anyone else has any input or might also have a use for it.

Hi CalTopo Team,

I wanted to submit a feature request for a configurable distance-from-roads and trails analysis layer.

The basic idea would be a map layer that lets users visualize how far terrain is from roads, motorized routes, and potentially trails, with user-adjustable distance settings. I think this would be useful for hunting, backpacking, wildlife habitat analysis, SAR planning, and general backcountry route planning.

The main feature I’m looking for is a raster-style distance heat map with two possible display modes:

1. Access Impact Mode
This would color or partially block out areas close to roads/trails, while leaving more remote areas visually cleaner and easier to identify.

Example:

• Red: within 0.5 miles of a road/trail

• Orange: 0.5 to 1 mile

• Yellow: 1 to 1.5 miles

• Transparent/no color: farther than 1.5 miles

This would make it easy to quickly ignore terrain that is close to access and visually identify roadless pockets.

2. Roadless Highlight Mode
This would do the opposite: highlight areas that are farther than a selected distance from roads/trails.

Example:

• Highlight all terrain more than 1 mile from roads

• Highlight all terrain more than 1.5 miles from motorized access

• Highlight all terrain more than 2 miles from any road or trail

Ideally, users could toggle between these two modes with a checkbox or dropdown, and be able to adjust the distances highlighted or blocked.

It would also be useful to control which access features are included in the analysis, such as:

• paved roads

• dirt roads

• 4x4/OHV routes

• motorized trails

• non-motorized trails

• seasonal roads, if available

I’ve tried to approximate this manually in CalTopo by drawing roads and applying 1-mile or 1.5-mile buffers around them. That technically works, but it becomes extremely time-consuming in areas with lots of roads and trails. Automating this as a dedicated analysis layer would make the workflow much more scalable.

Thanks for considering it. I think this would fit really well with CalTopo’s existing strengths in custom mapping and terrain analysis.