Project Prioritization

The HRTPO uses an objective and data-driven project prioritization process to help regional decision-makers identify transportation projects that offer the greatest benefit to the region, are most ready for implementation, and make the most effective use of available funding. Project Prioritization supports transparent, consistent decision-making and helps ensure investments align with regional goals and priorities.

The HRTPO Project Prioritization Tool evaluates transportation projects across three components:

• Project Utility - ability to address a transportation need
• Economic Vitality - potential for economic gain
• Project Viability - project readiness and compatibility

Each component is worth up to 100 points, for a total possible score of 300 points.

Project Prioritization & the Long-Range Transportation Plan

Project Prioritization is an essential part of the development of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) as scores produced through this process help regional decision-makers determine which projects to include in the Plan, as well as support the pursuit of state and federal funding opportunities.

For the LRTP, candidate transportation projects are submitted by stakeholders and residents from across the region. These projects range in scale from major interstate bridges and tunnels to new bike paths and multi-use trails. For prioritization purposes, projects are evaluated within separate categories (highway, interchange, bridge/tunnel, transit, intermodal/freight, and active transportation) to align with potential funding sources, which are often tied to specific transportation modes or facility types. Because of funding and evaluation criteria differences, project scores are not compared across categories.

• Project Prioritization Description of Calculations 
• Prioritization Weighting Factors 
• 2050 LRTP Project Prioritization Scores 
• 2045 LRTP Prioritization of Transportation Projects

Updating the Project Prioritization Tool

The HRTPO Project Prioritization Tool is a living, dynamic framework designed to evolve as regional priorities, data, and planning needs change over time. Evaluation criteria are based on the region’s current vision and goals and are reviewed with each LRTP cycle through a comprehensive, collaborative process involving HRTPO committees, regional stakeholders, and the public. This ensures continued alignment with federal and state planning requirements, emerging best practices, and stakeholder input.

As part of this update process, the HRTPO Board approved enhancements to the Prioritization Tool in 2020 to improve clarity, consistency, balance, and alignment with federal and state performance measures. More recently, in 2025, the HRTPO Board approved additional enhancements to better integrate transportation system resiliency across all three components of the Tool, using data-driven analysis to assess system performance and accessibility under a range of potential future conditions. These updates ensure the Project Prioritization Tool remains responsive, transparent, and relevant as the region plans for future transportation needs.

For more information on the development and enhancements to the Project Prioritization Tool, please refer to the resource links below.