RPO Models: North Carolina

Since 2002, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has implemented a major re-engineering of its consultation process with rural local officials. The change was mandated under a new state law passed in July 2000 that required the establishment of rural planning organizations (RPOs) to work cooperatively with the state to plan rural transportation systems and to advise the department on rural transportation policy (Senate Bill 1195. Covered under Article 17 General Statue 136-210 through 213.)

State officials worked with local officials and the existing network of regional development organizations (known locally as regional councils of government) to create 20 RPOs that serve all counties outside of the existing 17 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Under the law, RPOs were required to serve contiguous areas of 3 – 15 counties and must have a combined minimum population of 50,000. MPOs cannot be a member of RPOs. In forming the RPOs, not all of the municipalities in the region were required to join, but each county must be a member.

Funded by the state at $80,000 to $100,000 each year and with a 20 percent local match, each RPO has five core functions:
• Coordinate, assist and develop local and regional plans
• Provide a forum for public participation in the transportation planning and implementation process
• Develop and prioritize projects the organization believes should be included in the state transportation improvement program
• Provide transportation related information to local governments
• Coordinate regional issues between contiguous MPOs, RPOs and other regional organizations

The process has provided local officials with an enhanced framework to participate in the statewide and regional planning processes. It has also provided a forum for state and local officials to discuss and address issues requiring regional solutions.

For more information, see:

North Carolina Department of Transportation RPO Manual (PDF)

North Carolina Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (PDF)
John Marshall, Western Piedmont COG, Hickory, NC

Planning Work Program Program Description for FY 2006-2007, Unifour RPO (PDF)

State Association of RPOs Web Site

Board of Transportation Report on Rural Transportation Planning Organizations to the North Carolina General Assembly (PDF)

North Carolina Department of Transportation’s RPO Presentation on Transportation Planning (PDF)

North Carolina Rural Transportation Goes Regional

Triangle Area Rural Transportation Planning Organization Annual Report (PDF)



Download Adobe Acrobat here to view PDF files.