THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIZATION PROCESS
The Strategic Prioritization Process is a data-driven, transparent method for prioritizing transportation projects and is used to develop the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)/ Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which identify the projects that will be funded during a 10-year period. Prioritization scores all roadway, public transportation, bicycle & pedestrian, rail, ferry, and aviation projects based upon approved criteria.
HOW IT WORKS
Projects receive a percentage of available revenue in the following three categories: Statewide Mobility (40%), Regional Impact (30%), and Division Needs (30%). The Statewide Mobility projects are 100% data driven and selected based on quantitative scores. Regional Impact projects focus on improving connectivity within regions (7). Selection is based on 70% data and 30% local input. Division Needs projects focus on addressing local needs, and selection is based on 50% data and 50% local input. The WMPO along with NCDOT Division 3 will assign local input points to the Regional Impact and Division Needs tier projects based on approved methodology. Projects with the highest scores will have a greater chance of being programmed into the STIP/Metropolitan TIP.
Prioritization 8.0 Tentative Process Schedule 2025-2027
| New project submittals to NCDOT | July – September 2025 |
| MPOs, RPOs, Divisions develop Input Point Methodologies | October 2025- April 2026 |
| Release of P8.0 Quantitative Scores and Statewide Mobility programmed projects | May 2026 |
| Regional Impact Local Input Point Assignment | June – August 2026 |
| Regional Impact total scores and programmed projects released | September 2026 |
| Division Needs Local Input Point Assignment | October – December 2026 |
| Program Division Needs projects | January – February 2027 |
| NCDOT releases Draft 2028-2037 STIP/MPO TIP | Winter/Spring 2027 |
To learn more about the Prioritization 8.0 process, visit NCDOT’s Prioritization Resources page.
Local Input Point Methodology
The WMPO will develop a Local Input Point methodology for Prioritization 8.0 in Winter 2026 to guide the assignment of the organization’s 1600 local input points for projects scored for Regional Impact and Division Needs funding. The methodology will be developed to ensure a process that is both data-driven and responsive to local needs, and meets the requirements of Session Law 2012-84 (Senate Bill 890), which requires that MPOs and RPOs have a process that includes at least two criteria, with at least one being qualitative, for determining project prioritization.
Regional Impact Projects Local Input Point Assignment
Based on the WMPO’s adopted local input point methodology, 1600 local input points were assigned to projects eligible in the Regional Impact Tier. The WMPO Board approved the point assignment after a 14-day public comment period on August 31, 2024.
Division Needs Projects LIP Assignment
Based on the WMPO’s adopted local input point methodology, the draft assignment of the WMPO’s 1600 local input points for the Division Needs Tier Project has been developed. The WMPO Board opened a 14-day public comment period for the draft point assignment on October 30, 2024. Following this period, the WMPO Board approved the Division Needs Local Input Point Assignment on November 20, 2024.