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 – November 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 Board adopted a Local Input Point methodology for Prioritization 8.0 on February 25, 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 was developed to ensure the process for the assignment of local input points 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.
Approved Regional Impact Projects and Local Input Point Assignment
The Local Input Point assignment process for Regional Impact tier projects began following the release of the P8.0 quantitative scores and Statewide Mobility projects in late May/early June 2026. The WMPO’s draft P8.0 Local Input Point assignments, per the WMPO’s adopted Prioritization 8.0 Local Input Point methodology, for Regional Impact tier-eligible projects were presented and reviewed by the Board on July 29, and a 14-day public comment period was opened. A total of three public comments were received and reviewed. The WMPO Board approved the final WMPO P8.0 Local Input Point assignments for Regional Impact tier-eligible projects on August 26, 2026. The final Regional Impact project scores and draft Regional Impact projects programmed for funding in the 2028-2037 State/MPO Transportation Improvement Programs will be released by NCDOT in late September 2027.
The WMPO’s P8.0 Local Input Point assignments for Regional Impact Projects (Approved)
Division Needs Projects and Local Input Point Assignment
Local Input Point assignment for Division Needs tier projects, per the WMPO’s adopted Prioritization 8.0 Local Input Point methodology, will begin following the release by NCDOT of the P 8.0 Regional Impact scores and projects selected for funding. Final WMPO Local Input Point assignments for projects eligible for funding in the Division Needs tier are due to NCDOT by the end of November 2026.
WMPO Prioritization 8.0 Quantitative Scores and Statewide Mobility Projects
NCDOT released the Prioritization 8.0 quantitative scores and Statewide Mobility projects for the Draft 2028-2037 State Transportation Improvement Program on June 10, 2026. The WMPO’s Prioritization 8.0 quantitative scores include project scores for aviation, bicycle and pedestrian, ferry, public transportation, rail, and highway projects. Two of the WMPO’s Aviation project submittals were included in the Statewide Mobility projects selected for funding. Projects eligible at the Statewide Mobility tier that did not score high enough for funding will be considered during Local Input Point assignment, scoring, and funding for Regional Impact and Division Needs funding tiers.