Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) & Spectrum Management
Overview:
Navigating from Point A to Point B safely and efficiently is critical to all modes of transportation making Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities and technologies a vital part of the global infrastructure. The Department of Transportation is the lead for civil PNT requirements and represents the civil Departments and Agencies in the development, acquisition, management, and operations of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
DOT’s Office of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and Spectrum Management coordinates the development of Departmental positions on PNT, mobility, and efficiency of the transportation network. The Office is a program of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
While we lead the Department’s broad responsibilities on PNT matters, with a special focus on GPS interference, developing GPS civil requirements and coordinating civil PNT funding, our office plays an additional key role: we provide civil PNT systems and policy analysis and coordination for all Federal civil Departments and Agencies. We also represent those agencies in the development, acquisition, management, and operations of GPS, including requirements development.
Links and Documents:
U.S. Department of Transportation: DOT PNT Strategic Plan - The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) has released a new DOT Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Strategic Plan. As the nation's lead for civil PNT, DOT aims to ensure reliable PNT sources for civil applications and supporting infrastructures across the nation. The plan outlines five strategic goals to enhance PNT capabilities and services, including advancing technology, building resiliency, incorporating cybersecurity, protecting PNT spectrum, and coordinating civilian PNT efforts. This strategy will foster a resilient, innovative PNT system, ensuring safety and expanding service to a growing user community. Through this plan, DOT and its partners will enhance research, promote complementary technologies, and support economic growth and innovation in PNT.
The U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) located in Cambridge, MA, is soliciting proposals from vendors with operationally ready CPNT services and who are interested in fielding those services for test and evaluation in the Rapid Phase of U.S. DOT’s CPNT Action Plan. Due Date: January 14, 2025, 4:00pm EST.
The Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) is the recognized worldwide forum for effective interaction between all civil GPS users and the U.S. GPS authorities. DOT chairs the CGSIC and the USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN) serves as the Deputy Chair and Executive Secretariat. The full Civil GPS Service Interface Committee convened in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. in person and virtually, on September 16-17, 2024, in conjunction with the ION GNSS+ 2024 conference.
The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is seeking proposals from industry to deploy very high Technical Readiness Level (TRL ≥ 8) Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services at operational or operationally equivalent field ranges. Offers due March 25, 2024.
2021 Federal Radio Navigation Plan (FRP) July 2022
Complementary PNT and GPS Backup Technologies Demonstration Report – January, 2021
National Timing Resilience and Security Act: Roadmap To Implementation – January 2021
Federal Register Notice, and Agenda & Presentations for the 'Virtual' Workshop on GPS Jamming and Spoofing in the Maritime Environment – December 3, 2020
Future Spectrum Requirements: An Analysis of Transportation Spectrum Needs 2019 through 2033, Final Report – April 2019