The Metrolina Regional Model (MRM) is the primary forecasting and analysis tool used for regional transportation planning processes in the Metrolina region. The MRM is used for the development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Air Quality Conformity Analysis and Determination, and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The model is also intended to be used as a tool for other transportation planning needs in the area including preparing traffic forecasts, studying transit and multi-modal systems, testing the impacts of system improvements, and analyzing socioeconomic changes in the Metrolina region.
The modeling area covers 13 counties in the bi-state region of North and South Carolina. These counties include Anson, Cabarrus, portions of Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties from the North Carolina side and the northern panhandle of Lancaster and York counties from the South Carolina side.
Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) serves as the model custodian for the Metrolina Regional Model. The MRM is maintained and operated by an additional team of modelers from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
The Planning and Applications Oversight Committee (PAOC) oversees the forecasting of socioeconomic data needed for application of the MRM in current and future years, regular updates of network data, ensuring that the MRM meets the requirements for regional air quality conformity determinations, following the development of an Annual Work Program for model maintenance, and collaboration among all agencies for special studies or activities that may be required to maintain the MRM. The PAOC includes representatives from the following agencies:
This documentation reflects MRM25v1.0. The official base year is 2022. The horizon years include 2025, 2035, 2045, and 2055. For conformity purposes, the year 2026 is also modeled. Please refer to the MRM Versions tab for more information on the project lists that are used for the respective model versions.
Later versions of the model may not match the charts and tables exactly due to network and other changes. It is the sole responsibility of the user to ensure that the latest version of the MRM is being deployed for their respective projects/studies.