Mapping Digital Exclusion in the NRQZ

Mapping Digital Exclusion in the NRQZ: A GIS Dashboard for Emergency Management

In collaboration with the Pocahontas County and Pendleton County Emergency Management Departments, I developed an interactive ArcGIS Online dashboard to assess the population and critical facilities impacted by Starlink service restrictions within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ).

The NRQZ imposes strict limits on radio frequency emissions, effectively excluding certain areas from receiving satellite-based internet. This project was designed to visualize who is affected — both in terms of population and local infrastructure — and help local agencies advocate for alternative broadband solutions.

Using a combination of:

• U.S. Census demographic data

• Kontur population density estimates

• NRQZ boundary and Starlink exclusion parameters

• Custom weighted areal interpolation analysis

To estimate population impact, I applied a weighted areal interpolation technique, combining block-level U.S. Census data with high-resolution Kontur population grids. This approach ensured accurate distribution of population counts across irregular zones, such as the Starlink exclusion area — especially critical in rural and mountainous regions where census boundaries don’t align cleanly with affected zones.

The dashboard highlights:

• Areas within the NRQZ that fall outside of Starlink’s coverage zone

• Key community assets (e.g., EMS stations, schools, shelters) affected

• Demographic breakdowns of impacted populations by age, income, and more