Functional Classification System

The Transportation Planning Branch is responsible for the processing updates of the Federal Functional Classification System in North Carolina.  The 2005/ 2006 update was initiated due to the Decennial Census revision of Urban Area Boundaries. In  May  2002, the US Bureau of the Census designated revised/new Urbanized Areas (UZAs) and Urban Clusters (UCs) based on the 2000 Census.  While the USDOT has no direct role in the designation of these areas, they are used in the administration of the surface transportation program.  Key FHWA / FTA program impacts for planning and environmental are: designation of MPOs and application of metropolitan planning requirements; designation of Transportation Management Areas (TMA); application of Air Quality Conformity requirements; and, allocation of funding.   For more information about Functional Classification Guidelines  visit  FHWA's website.

In North Carolina's 17 Urbanized Areas (population >50,000) the changes were mutually established between the MPO and NCDOT. Of the 90 Urban Clusters within the State (population between 2,500-50,000), 56 were greater than 5,000 population and were processed under the urban functional classification guidelines.  The remaining  Urban Clusters and other rural areas were processed using the Rural functional classification guidelines.

• Rural Functional Classification Maps 
   

• Urban Functional Classification Maps  
   

• Urban Clusters Functional Classification Maps
   

NCDOT's GIS Unit is responsible for maintaining the maps and scanned images. The files available for download are up to 8 MB. Downloads can take up to 30 minutes using slow internet connections (e.g. modem).  Please be patient.  Thank You.  Please be sure to read our disclaimer.