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NDGPS to remain operational, fewer sites face decommissioning

July 5, 2016  - By

The United States Coast Guard, Department of Transportation and Army Corps of Engineers have issued a notice that reduces the number of Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System (NDGPS) sites that will be decommissioned.

The agencies published a notice on Aug. 18, 2015, seeking public comments on the proposed shutdown and decommissioning of 62 the then-existing 84 NDGPS sites.

“After a review of the comments received, we have reduced to 37 the number of NDGPS sites to be shut down, nine of which are USCG Maritime sites and 28 of which are DOT inland sites,” the notice reads. “As a result of this action, the NDGPS system will remain operational with a total of 46 USCG and USACE sites available to users in the maritime and coastal regions.”

Over time, a number of factors have contributed to the declining public use of the NDGPS, including lack of a carriage requirement, technological advances in GPS and limited availability of consumer-grade DGPS receivers.

The Federal Register Notice reduces the number of Differential GPS sites throughout the country, while maintaining coverage in major maritime ports and waterways.

Read the full notice at the Federal Register website, including a list of sites to be decommissioned. Termination of the broadcast signal is scheduled to occur within the next 30 days.

Graphic depicting NDGPS after site reductions. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Graphic depicting NDGPS after site reductions. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Graphic depicting NDGPS coverage after site reductions. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Graphic depicting NDGPS coverage after site reductions. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Original NDGPS coverage.

Original NDGPS coverage.