Project Prioritization
The N.C. Department of Transportation comparatively evaluates and ranks independent bicycle and pedestrian projects (shared-use paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, intersection improvements, etc.) that compete with projects from all other transportation modes.
The Strategic Mobility Formula – a component of the Strategic Transportation Investments law that outlines the general structure of NCDOT's project prioritization process – includes three funding categories:
Statewide Mobility
Regional Impact
Division Needs
Bicycle and pedestrian projects are only eligible within the Division Needs category.
Metropolitan planning organizations, rural planning organizations and NCDOT divisions may submit projects through the prioritization process.
Funding
Funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects can come from several federal programs, including:
The Strategic Mobility Formula aligns bicycle and pedestrian projects with funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program and Surface Transportation Program.
The NCDOT Transportation Planning Branch and eligible metropolitan organizations direct the use of funding from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program.