Prioritization
Prioritization Process
The prioritization process is the North Carolina Department Of Transportation (NCDOT) data-driven, transparent method for prioritizing transportation investment decisions and is used to develop the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Potential inmprovement projects are submitted to NCDOT to be scored and ranked at statewide, regional, and division levels based on approved criteria, including safety, conjuestion, cost-benefit, and local priorities. The scores, along with other factors, are used to determine if a project receives funding.
The STIP is required by federal law every four years, although North Carolina completes it every two years. Each STIP covers a ten year time period, over which NCDOT will work on the included projects. Prioritization considers projects in categories of aviation, bicycle and pedestrian, ferry, public transit, rail and roadways. Each cycle involves submitting projects into ranking and scoring, then awarding local input points to increase the final project score. The current round (P8), lasts from launch of the workgroup in October 2024 to final 2028-2037 draft STIP approval in the summer of 2027.
project submittal and Scoring
In July 2025 the portal for online submittal is live. The project submittal window last from July to September 2025. During this time the Transportation Advisory Committee will officially notify the MPO of the priority of local projects for submittal. The New Bern Area MPO is allowed to submit ten projects for each mode of transportation. Roadway projects get evaluated based on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Craven County Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Safety Action Plan in addition to projects identified by the community. Aviation projects come from the EWN Master Plan. Bicycle and pedestrian projects come from those identified by the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, TAC and TCC. Public Transit projects are identified by the needs of CARTS. From October to April 2026, NCDOT reviews the submittals data and scores each project.
Local Input
The Prioritization 8.0 Local Input Methodology describes how projects will be selected to assign local input points. It establishes the criteria and weights that are assigned to each project, how projects are ranked, cycle schedule and information on public involvement. Information regarding public input sessions are advertised on the NBAMPO website and social media accounts. Feedback from input sessions are presented to the committees for review. Committee meetings are publicly held.