(1) Software and scale compatibility. The commission uses geographic information system (GIS) software to track regulated public utility and transportation company operating territories. Auto transportation company maps must meet minimum standards to ensure that those maps are compatible with the commission's GIS mapping system. When required by this chapter to file a map, an auto transportation company must file that map in one of the methods described in (a) and (b) of this subsection.

(a) Electronic maps. An auto transportation company may file an electronic map that is compatible with the commission's hardware and software. Before filing its map electronically, a company must contact the commission to determine whether its mapping software is compatible with that used by the commission.

(b) Paper maps. An auto transportation company may file a paper map or combination of paper maps using:

(i) Official state highway maps or comparable highway maps;

(ii) United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps at a scale of 1:250,000;

(iii) United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps at a scale of 1:24,000, when necessary to clearly resolve any inconsistencies or to reflect local service territories.

(c) Availability of maps. USGS maps are available through the Washington state department of natural resources and various private vendors. The official state highway map is available from the Washington state department of transportation.

(2) Map detail. Any map submitted to the commission must:

(a) Clearly show counties, cities, freeways, highways, roads, streets, county lines, and any other feature described in the application or certificate;

(b) Be clearly labeled to identify the features described in the certificate;

(c) Have a north arrow;

(d) Have a map legend briefly describing the features on the map;

(e) Have a scale bar showing the distance on the map equal to a defined number of feet, miles or other unit; and

(f) Have a title box that includes the company's name as shown on the company's auto transportation certificate, the company's registered trade name, the identification number of the filing to which the map applies, and a contact name and phone number.