Frequently Asked Questions

Every metropolitan area (as defined by the U. S. Census) with a population of more than 50,000 persons must have a designated "Metropolitan Planning Organization" for transportation plans and projects to qualify for federal highway or transit assistance. 

The MPO carries out 3 major work activities to meet specific federal requirements. These are: 

1. The development and maintenance of a long-range transportation plan (Metropolitan Transportation Plan or MTP) through a "continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative (3C)" planning process. 
2. The biennial development of a 3-year program for highway and transit improvements. This program is known as the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program or MTIP. 
3. The annual adoption of a comprehensive 1-year planning program called the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP describes and coordinates the individual transportation planning activities of all agencies in the area.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization usually meets the last Tuesday of the month at the High Point Museum (1859 E. Lexington Ave).

Check out our Road Building Timeline.

Transportation planning helps meet the region's transportation needs, determine "first things first" priorities, and avoid expensive construction mistakes. It is the basis for the MPO's long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP). It serves to guide the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the member jurisdictions in the construction of streets and highways. It has enabled the region to use federal and state funds to serve local needs.

Improving Transit Services
Transportation planning is instrumental in improving transit services as well. Planning funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) allow local transit providers to plan for service improvements. With the addition of the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), transit improvements on a regional basis will occur.

Providing a Framework
Transportation planning also provides a framework for sound and orderly land development. Advance knowledge of transportation needs makes possible the dedication of future right-of-way, and the coordination of transportation with the zoning process. This has saved the member jurisdictions millions of dollars in land acquisition costs and reduced the amount of disruption the building of transportation facilities can cause.

Access details on the topic by viewing our transportation modeling resource.

We can't see it. We can't smell it. But air quality can have a significant impact on the transportation planning process. 

For details, see our listing of Transportation Planning acronyms.

Access the glossary for transportation planning terminology.