The goal of long-range transportation planning is to identify a community's future transportation needs and to propose solutions to serve those needs.

Comprehensive Transportation Plans (CTPs) are developed jointly among NCDOT's Transportation Planning Branch, the Cape Fear RPO, and local stakeholders.  CTP recommendations typically form the basis for transportation projects that compete for funding through NCDOT's prioritization process.

Bicycle and pedestrian plans are typically developed by local governments, often with NCDOT funding and often with the assistance of a consultant and/or the Cape Fear RPO. Recommendations may be implemented by NCDOT, by the locality, or through the development approval process.