diff --git a/flatland/envs/rail_env_utils.py b/flatland/envs/rail_env_utils.py
index 8b29bbe851478450fae91e002222eef0099c8736..0e305f48e14498382e1ad826b74e09cb469fee24 100644
--- a/flatland/envs/rail_env_utils.py
+++ b/flatland/envs/rail_env_utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import math
 from typing import Tuple, Set, Dict, List, NamedTuple
 
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 
 from flatland.core.grid.grid4 import Grid4TransitionsEnum
@@ -116,3 +117,13 @@ def get_shortest_paths(distance_map: DistanceMap) -> Dict[int, List[WalkingEleme
                            RailEnvNextAction(RailEnvActions.STOP_MOVING, position, direction)))
 
     return shortest_paths
+
+
+def visualize_distance_map(distance_map: DistanceMap, agent_handle: int = 0):
+    if agent_handle >= distance_map.get().shape[0]:
+        print("Error: agent_handle cannot be larger than actual number of agents")
+        return
+    # take min value of all 4 directions
+    min_distance_map = np.min(distance_map.get(), axis=3)
+    plt.imshow(min_distance_map[agent_handle][:][:])
+    plt.show()