Transportation Planning in Non-Metropolitan/Rural Areas (2026)

Before the 1960s, rural communities had little influence over transportation planning, despite substantial state and federal investment in rural infrastructure. Over time, federal policy emphasized greater rural participation, encouraging state departments of transportation (DOTs) to adopt planning approaches in nonmetropolitan areas that engaged communities and local officials. Early efforts focused on consultation with rural officials and the use of regional planning entities (RPEs) as intermediaries. Congress later authorized the designation of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) for non-metropolitan planning. Although few RTPOs have been formally designated, many state DOTs work with RPEs or similar organizations that perform RTPO-like functions. These entities are now important partners in rural planning, though their roles and relationships with state DOTs vary across states.

NCHRP Synthesis 663: Transportation Planning in Non-Metropolitan/Rural Areas, produced by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program, highlights strategies employed by state DOTs to ensure effective coordination with non-metropolitan officials. The report covers governance and rural planning structures; roles and responsibilities; cooperation with local officials; capacity building; transit and multimodal planning; and key challenges and barriers. It also identifies observed practices that may support effective coordination and areas where additional research is needed.

URL: Transportation Planning in Non-Metropolitan/Rural Areas