RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION (RPO) FUNCTIONS

The establishment of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPOs) is similar in concept to the urban Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organizations (MPOs). The RPOs provide rural areas the opportunity to work in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation toward development of sound, short-range and long-range transportation planning for rural areas.

In July 2000, The North Carolina General Assembly ratified Senate Bill 1195 that established Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPOs) to plan rural transportation systems and advise the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on rural transportation policy. These organizations will be a counterpart to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) established in the Urban Areas of North Carolina.

RPOs were formed to provide a cooperative unified voice for rural entities to request projects and the funding needed for these projects. The RPOs are organized of local officials or their designees in addition to representatives of local transportation systems.

The state chose to enlist regional organizations such as Councils of Government (COGs) to be the Lead Planning Agency (LPA) for most of the RPOs. These regional organizations were used because they have experience with
planning, have strong ties to local governments and community leaders, and are familiar with state and federal programs. By working with regional organization like COGs, the state can be better informed about local citizens’ needs and what they are willing to support.