NOAA Nears Rollout of Its Modernized National Spatial Reference System

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is one step closer to finalizing the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), the official coordinate system used by the federal civilian government. NOAA NGS Constituent Manager Galen Scott told GovCIO Media & Research the new NSRS will include GPS capabilities which allow the system to collect more accurate geospatial data about the Earth.

“These systems were made with the best technology at the time in the 1980s. They were based on 100 years of measurements taken by our crew walking across the country,” said Scott. “The important thing here is that it’s not just a change for the sake of change. The new system will be more accurate, more efficient and more accessible to everyone.”

Scott said that the current NSRS features two systems: the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88). Both rely on physical markers surveyors placed by the physical markers placed by public- and private-sector surveyors across the country. The markers form a network used to position locations relative to other reference points.

However, as tectonic plates shift and the Earth’s surface changes, those physical markers no longer provide consistently accurate elevation measurements. Additionally, some markers are located in remote areas and were last measured nearly 90 years ago.

The NSRS serves as the official reference system for federal civilian agencies to determine geodetic coordinates when creating maps, marking property boundaries and planning, designing and building infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

“As we got new data, we created Frankenstein’s monster as we incrementally improved things over the last 30 years,” said Scott. “This new system will wipe the slate clean and give us one new system that everybody can use.”

A Closer Look at the 40-year-old Systems

NAD83 and NAVD88 are separate systems that define horizontal and vertical datums — latitude and longitude coordinates and elevation based on sea level, respectively. Together, they provide the foundation for mapping locations and measuring changes in elevation and sea level.

Both systems were developed before GPS became widely available. Scott said GPS later revealed that the systems’ calculations of the Earth’s center were off by approximately two meters.

The modernized NSRS is built on GPS and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), enabling more precise positioning nationwide. It also incorporates airborne gravity data to improve elevation measurements, including in coastal and inland water areas.

“For 17 years we’ve collected airborne gravity data over all of CONUS. It covers the entire Northwestern hemisphere, and it gives use a consistent surface across the country from coast to coast,” said Scott.

The updated system is expected to reduce the time and cost surveyors spend locating physical reference markers.

“When they want to start a new road or a new subdivision, surveyors have to go find one of our survey marks to get their point of beginning and their coordinates,” said Scott. “Now you’ll be able to use GPS and get a position wherever you need it.”

What Partners Need to Know Before Transitioning

Public- and private-sector partners should begin preparing their geospatial data for the transition by evaluating legacy datasets, completing metadata and reviewing new system requirements. State and local governments may also need to update statutory language to align with the modernized system, according to Scott.

Under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-16, federal civilian agencies must adhere to standards set by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. The FGDC provides guidance on adopting geospatial data standards and technologies. Scott said NGS is collaborating with Esri and other geospatial vendors to help ensure a smooth transition.

“The current NSRS is widely used by state and local governments and private industry,” said Scott. ““Moving to the new system will help to future proof your data and your workflows because we’re all using it.”

In 2025, NGS released several beta products and tools for the new NSRS. Scott said the final tools will be released later this year, with full adoption as an FGDC standard targeted for 2027.

He emphasized that early planning can reduce costs and complexity once the new system is formally approved.

“Planning for it, looking at how it’s going to affect your business and workflows, is going to make for a smoother transition,”said Scott. “If everybody’s using this new system, it makes all working across agencies and with partners a lot better.”